Classical
Civilisation
What do I need to know, or be able to do,
before taking this course?
GCE A Level
Specific Entry Requirements:
B (or equivalent) grade or above in English
Language. No previous knowledge of
Greek or Roman Civilisation is required.
Entry requirements on ‘SSFC Course
Information, Advice & Guidance’ document
also apply.
Students who take this course have an
interest in Greek and Roman History
and Society. We are a very varied course,
studying myths, literature, history, politics,
art and architecture, philosophy and the
way people lived in Greece and Rome.
Students who study Classical Civilisation
develop skills of reading, writing and
historical analysis. Many students go on to
study Classically based courses at university
such as Ancient History, Classics (Latin and
Greek) or Classical Civilisation but History,
English, Law, Theatre Studies, Social
Sciences and Archaeology are also popular
choices with ex-students. Many students
take this course out of interest and discover
that it sits alongside any A Level course,
especially those which develop reading,
writing and discussion skills.
It is unlikely that students will have studied any aspect of the
Ancient World before so we do not require any specific GCSEs
to study this course. If you have an interest in different cultures,
history, literature, art or philosophy then this is a great course to
choose because it has aspects of many different subject areas.
If you enjoy reading and essay writing, discussion and analysis
then this is a course that you would enjoy.
What will I learn?
The core themes that run through this subject are:
•
Society: relationships within the household, between the
household and the wider community, between different
communities
•
•
Myths: Heroes, villains, monsters.
•
Values: concepts of heroism, honour, duty, virtue, justice,
the good life
•
Politics and leadership: bases of power, attitudes to those
in power, accountability of those in power, processes for
making decisions and resolving disputes, attitudes to war
and peace.
•
History : A study of specific periods of Greek and Roman
History in order to understand the material studied.
•
Entertainment : the development of Greek Theatre and
tragedy
Religion: portrayal of gods, attitudes to gods, the role of
religion
Art and Architecture of Greece and Rome – a study of the
Parthenon and Erechtheum at Athens, sculpture , art and
architecture from Augustan Rome including the Ara Pacis and
the Forum of Augustus.
Myths and mythology – The Fall of Troy. When Troy fell,
Odysseus the Greek had problems returning home to Ithaca.
He has many adventures on his return home – monsters like
the Cyclops try to prevent him reaching it. We study Homers
Odyssey.
Tel: 01743 235491 Fax: 01743 242735
email: [email protected] ssfc.ac.uk
The Trojans fared even worse. Aeneas sails around the
Mediterranean before finally settling in Italy and founding a
family which would eventually go on to found Rome, even the
Emperors themselves claim descent from him. We study Virgil’s
Aeneid.
Classical
Civilisation
Greek Theatre – We study how the theatre developed in
Ancient Athens and two tragedies by each tragedian Sophocles
(Oedipus Rex, Antigone) and Euripides (Medea and Hippolytus)
Philosophy – Aristotle was a pupil of Plato and a tutor to
Alexander the Great. He wrote some of the earliest literary
criticism. Both philosophers write about the meaning of
happiness, moral integrity and excellence.
Is this the right subject for me?
•
If you want to learn about a past society and culture you
will enjoy this subject
•
We are a very varied subject and fit well with lots of
different combinations of other subject areas
•
You can learn about the literature, art, architecture and
history of the ancient world and the ways in which they
affect the current world.
•
If you like reading and writing, this is an influential period of
history
•
•
If you enjoy the visual arts, this is a very influential period
Ancient philosophers teach us much about discussion,
debate and argument.
You will learn through:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reading
Watching films and documentaries
Visual material such as vase painting or buildings
Debate
Essay writing
Presentations
How will I be assessed?
You will take two exams at the end of two years.
What can I do after I’ve completed the
course?
Many students go on to study classically based courses at
university such as Ancient History, Classics (Latin and
Greek) or Classical Civilisation, History, English, Theatre Studies,
Social Sciences and Archaeology are also popular choices with
ex-students.
Classical Civilisation students can be found in all sorts of careers
such as legal services, teaching, travel and tourism, public
services, theatre, civil service, journalism, politics, museum and
historical archives to name a few!
Many students take this course out of interest and discover
that it sits alongside any A level course, especially those which
develop reading, writing and discussion skills.
Costs:
We currently provide texts for students free of charge but they may
wish to purchase their own. They must buy specific translations,
details are available from the department.
Any extra curricular trips or visits will incur a cost.