A-LEVEL CLASSICAL CIVILISATION - AQA

Introduction: Aims of the specification

To offer a wide choice of topics in the areas of archaeology, architecture, art, history and politics, literature and philosophy.
To develop the critical and evaluative skills which will enable them to go on to Higher Education to study a wide range of courses.
To offer a meaningful foundation for the study of classical culture beyond A level
To complement many other popular A levels, including Art, Drama and Theatre Studies, English Literature, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, and Philosophy.

Assessment Framework

AS comprises of Units 1 and 2.

Students will take two written papers of 1½ hours.

A2 comprises of Units 3 and4.

Students will take two written papers of 1½ hours.

Description of Teaching and Learning

At AS, students will study the lives of freeborn women in Athens and Rome, the plays of Aristophanes and Homer’s epic poem the Iliad.

At A2, students will complete an in-depth study of Greek tragic plays in their social context and Virgil’s Aeneid.

Pupils will experience a wide variety of learning experiences including discussion and note-taking, personal research, drama, literature, field visits and theatre trips. We currently operate a trip to Greece every second year. This enables pupils to consolidate and extend their subject knowledge in a living environment.

Links to Future Careers

Classical Civilisation is highly recommended to any students wishing to pursue a career in Law, Education, Archaeology, Journalism, Management, Research and Politics. Classical Civilisation trains students to undertake independent research, construct arguments and develop their analytical skills.

Higher Education Successes of Former Students

Increasing numbers of students are also choosing to read these subjects at University. Over 50% of the 2007 A2History and Classics cohort have chosen to pursue History based subjects at Universities such as Warwick, Durham and Cambridge.

Additional Information

Please see Dr Campbell.