Download Classical Civilization - Windsor High School and Sixth Form

Windsor Sixth Form
Classical Civilisation
Course Outline
Faculty
Social Science
Subject
Classical Civilisation
Course title and code
Advanced GCE in Classical Civilisation (H4 08)
Exam Board
OCR
Subject Mission Statement
Classical Civilisation is the study of the culture of the ancient civilisations of Rome and Greece
through analysing their literature and their history.
Although the ancient world can seem quite remote to us now, studying Classics is
fundamental to understanding the origins of western civilization.
Students will develop marketable skills such as the ability to read critically, think analytically and
communicate their ideas and opinions in an articulate way. The course expects students to consult
a wide range of historical evidence to reach objective and substantiated judgments.
Course Outline
The A Level is made up of three components, which between them cover the literature and
history from both Greece and Rome.
Component One: The World of the Hero
We will look at two of the greatest stories from ancient Greece and Rome – the myth of Achilles
and the Trojan War and what happened to those Trojans who survived after the wooden horse
rolled into Troy. We will study Greek and Roman society, values and history and what it was to
be a ‘hero’ by reading two epic (literally!) poems in accessible English translations:


Homer’s Greek poem the Iliad;
Virgil’s Roman poem the Aeneid.
This component is worth 40% of the total A Level
 One exam: 2 hours 20 minutes (100 marks)
Component Two: Imperial Image
How do you avoid assassination when you’re the sole ruler of an empire whose people hate
kings? If you’re the Roman Emperor Augustus then you spin a very clever web of propaganda
throughout your reign to convince everyone that it’s in their own best interests if you’re in charge,
but that you are absolutely not a king (honest).
We will study Augustus and his ‘personal brand’ by looking at the Roman politics of the early
empire, along with the material culture (archaeological artefacts and buildings) and literary
representations that styled Augustus as the saviour - but definitely not the king - of the Roman
way of life.
This component is worth 30% of the total A Level
Classical Civilisation course outline Sept 2016(aea)(Sixth Form/ course outlines)

One exam: 1 hour 45 minutes (75 marks)
Component Three: Greek Religion
We’ve all heard of the myths of Greek gods such as Zeus, Athene and Aphrodite, but what did
the ancient Greeks really believe in? Religion was an essential part of ancient Greek identity,
running throughout all aspects of public and private daily life.
We will study the practicalities of religious ritual, along with the role that it played in society, by
using a wide spectrum of source material including pictures on Greek vases, the archaeological
remains of temple complexes, and poetry and hymns written to praise the gods.
This component is worth 30% of the total A Level
One exam: 1 hour 45 minutes (75 marks)
Goes well with
English Language and Literature, History, Art or Modern Languages, but it’s a useful
accompaniment to Mathematics, Science or Social Science.
Careers and Higher Education
Ideal for careers in journalism, law, marketing, leisure and entertainment, publishing, languages,
research, teaching.
Perfect for students wishing to study Ancient History, Archaeology, Classics or Anthropology at
University
Completed by:
Ms D Kerr
Date: September 2016
Classical Civilisation course outline Sept 2016(aea)(Sixth Form/ course outlines)