Classical Civilisation A Level

Qualification: GCE A Level in Classical Civilisation
Exam Board & Specification Code: OCR; H408; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in English Language GCSE
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: 3 exams of varying lengths
BHASVIC Department: Humanities

What will I study?

Classical Civilisation is a fascinating subject which fosters an understanding of ancient Greece and Rome. This allows for a greater understanding of our own culture and civilisation, which owes so much to Greece and Rome. Democracy, justice, empire and conflict are just some of the many concepts that will underpin your study. You will learn about some of the greatest figures in world history such as the heroic figures of Homer’s epics: Odysseus, Achilles, Hector, Aeneas and Helen of Troy. You will also be introduced to some of the major political figures including Julius Caesar, Cicero, Pompey, Themistocles, Xerxes and Leonidas. Students will also learn about some of the great battles of the past such as Thermopylae, Salamis and Troy. The vibrant works of Homer, Cicero, Virgil and Herodotus are our starting point to investigate the beliefs, history, myth and society of antiquity. You will study ancient epic, history, drama and politics.

Is this course right for me?

Do you love ancient history? Do you enjoy ancient myths and legends? Do you spend a lot of your free time reading? Did you enjoy watching films set in the ancient world like 300, Pompeii, Rome or Clash of the Titans? All of these would be an advantage to students taking the subject. Students will succeed best on this course if they are self-motivated and independent learners willing to share their ideas, and participate in discussions, debates and seminars. Students need to be able to structure well-balanced arguments in essay-style questions. It presupposes no knowledge of ancient languages and will appeal to anyone interested in the ancient past. Texts are studied in English translation and you are assessed entirely by examination. It combines especially well with all humanities, language and literature courses and is supported by study visits abroad.

Where next?

Classical Civilisation is a well-respected qualification that enables you to study a mixture of classics, history and literature. It develops a wide range of skills that are transferable to further study or the workplace such as analytical skills, communication, critical evaluation, cultural awareness and assessing and interpreting information. Students move on to a range of roles; examples might be Chartered Accountant, Civil Service employee, Heritage Manager, Market Researcher, Curator and Journalist. Apprenticeship routes are available in a variety of sectors, not only in the cultural and heritage sector. Useful websites to research careers and wider progression options could include Prospects, Museum and Heritage websites, All About Careers and The Apprenticeship Guide.

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