Course information
Classical Civilisation
Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School - Lambeth
02087693294
Belltrees Grove, London, SW16 2HY
Course summary

The A Level course in Classical Civilization offers students the opportunity to study elements of the literature, visual/material culture and thought of the classical world, and acquire an understanding of their social, historical and cultural contexts. The course is ideal for keen and dedicated readers, with an interest in the world of ancient Greece and Rome. Students do not need to have studied Latin, Greek or Classical Civilization at GCSE level to take this subject in the Sixth Form. All literature is studied in translation rather than in the original language. Classical Civilization works very well when taken in combination with History, English Literature, Religious Studies or Politics, but it can be successfully combined with many other subjects. It is a subject valued by all universities, and many degree courses in Classical Studies are now available. In common with all other university arts and humanities subjects, these Classical degrees open up a wide range of career opportunities.

Entry requirements

Five GCSEs, Grades 9 – 5, including Mathematics and English Grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language and English Literature. A Grade 6 or above in History and/or Latin

How you'll be assessed

The World of the Hero The examination is worth 100 marks and lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes. This represents 40% of the total marks for the A Level. The examination will consist of three sections. Section A focuses solely on Homer and will contain two sets of questions; one on the Iliad and one on the Odyssey. Students will answer the questions on the text they have studied. Section B contains questions focusing solely on Virgil’s Aeneid, and all questions in this section are compulsory. Section C contains a stimulus question in which students draw on both a passage from Homer (either the Odyssey or the Iliad) and one from Virgil; and a choice of essays. Culture and the Arts • Invention of the Barbarian The examination is worth 75 marks and lasts 1 hours and 45 minutes. This represents 30% of the total marks for the A Level. The examination will consist of two sections. All questions in Section A are compulsory. These will involve short answer and commentary questions, which respond to two stimuli from the prescribed sources list of differing types, and a shorter essay question, which takes one or both sources as its starting point. Section B contains a choice of one from two essays. In these essays, students will be expected to make use of secondary sources and academic views to support their argument. Beliefs and Ideas • Greek Religion The examination is worth 75 marks and lasts 1 hours and 45 minutes. This represents 30% of the total marks for the A Level. The examination will consist of two sections. All questions in Section A are compulsory. These will involve short answer and a commentary question responding to one stimulus from the prescribed sources list, and the same style of questions discussing an idea from one of the key thinkers, and a shorter essay question which takes the source, idea or both as a starting point. Section B contains a choice of one from two essays. In these essays, students will be expected to make use of secondary sources and academic views to support their argument.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionLondon
Local AuthorityLambeth
Ofsted RatingOutstanding
Gender TypeCo-Educational
AddressBelltrees Grove, London, SW16 2HY