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Classical Civilisation

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Department Lead: Mrs T Panou

Introduced for the first time in September 2023, A Level Classical Civilisation is taught by a highly experienced teacher with specific expertise in English and Greek Language and Literature and a background steeped in the study of the subject. From the Ancient World, to the study of religious beliefs and ideas about war, Classical Civilisation involves the study of ideas that relate to the modern world. [Updated 2024/25]

Co-curricular activities
  • Theatre experiences of Greek tragedies.
  • Educational trips, including trips to the British museum and British library.
  • Opportunities to take part in university lectures held by professors of Classical Civilisations.
  • Opportunities to attend webinars organised by King’s College in London.

...men grappled with exactly the same issues that we do: life, death, gods, sex, love, family, children, education, the nature of the world, our origins and development, the past, money, health, status, other cultures, friendship, power, patriotism, politics, law, crime, justice, empire, war. 
Peter Jones, advisor to Classics for All, Taking the Long View

A Level: Years 12 and 13

Classics 12 13 screenshot
Aims and outcomes

The course provides students with a broad and rewarding study of the culture of the classical world. It is a wide-ranging and multi-disciplinary subject where students have the opportunity to study elements of the literature, visual and material culture and thoughts of the classical world, while acquiring an understanding of their social, historical and cultural contexts.

Examination

Paper 1: The World of the Hero: Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid (40%)

Paper 2: Culture and the Arts: Greek Theatre (30%)

Paper 3: Beliefs and Ideas: Love and Relationships (30%)

Exam board: OCR

Course specification

Careers Education

  • Classical Civilisation can be extremely useful. Students acquire not only specific Classical knowledge, but also important transferable skills such as analysing sources and developing independent, critical and evaluative approaches. Students learn to formulate and support an argument and develop a valuable understanding of cultures very different to their own.
  • From the proven ability to write a well-structured extended response to the acknowledgement of the views of others and a culturally sensitive approach to these, Classics puts students in an excellent position to seek employment and opportunities.
  • The study of A Level Classical Civilisation can often lead to the study of Classics, Drama, English, History, History of Art, Law, Philosophy and Politics at university level.
  • Students who study Classical Civilisation go on to have careers in archaeology, economics, the heritage industry, journalism, law and the media. In fact, the range of career options with this A Level is vast: information from UCAS shows that students who studied Classical Civilisation often go on to study in such diverse disciplines as Medicine, Veterinary Science and Chemistry.
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