Classical Civilisation

OCR GCSE (J199)

Content

Classical Civilisation GCSE offers students the chance to explore a wide range of aspects of the Greek and Roman civilisations, including their daily life, entertainment, literature and history. Students will explore themes touched on in the Key Stage 3 Latin course, such as Roman burial customs and Greek Mythology, but will also encounter new topics, including the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus, the labours of Hercules, the archaeology of Mycenae, Tiryns and Troy and will learn about life during the times of Achilles.

Classical Civilisation is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys learning about ancient Greeks and Romans, or new cultures generally, but does not want to continue to study the Latin language beyond Year 9. Classical Civilisation has no language component; all material is read in English. Students will study Greek and Roman art and architecture, literature and archaeological sources, underpinned by a purposewritten textbook and the vast range of resources available in the Classics subject area.

Assessment

There is no Controlled Assessment. All units are assessed by examination.

There are two components to the GCSE course, each worth 50% of the final grade:

Component Group 1:

Thematic Study - Myth and religion (11)

This component involves a comparative study of ancient Greece and Rome, and combines literary and visual/material sources.

Component Group 2:

Literature and Culture - The Homeric world (21)

Students will read selections from Homer’s great epic, The Odyssey, telling the story of Odysseus’s travels back from the Trojan War and his encounters with numerous monsters, villains and gods along the way. They will discuss what makes a good adventure story, a winning hero and a chilling monster!

This component contains two elements: one in-depth cultural study and one study of related literature.

Co-curricular and Enrichment

Students will have the opportunity to attend a Classics Trip to sites of particular classical interest in Europe, such as Rome and the Bay of Naples, which will directly assist in their understanding of the material they have studied. Students are also encouraged to join the Greek Language Club.

Progression after GCSE

Classical Civilisation GCSE ties in well with a broad range of subjects, due to its historical, sociological and literary elements and is of great benefit to students with a general interest in any of these areas. It provides an excellent opportunity to learn about new cultures and get a different perspective on modern beliefs and practices, and is valued amongst universities and employers for that reason.