Ashbourne has a long tradition in offering Classical subjects. As the Classics Department is reasonably small, the course can be tailored to suit the needs and interest of students. For those who wish to specialise in Latin or Ancient Greek, Ashbourne is one of the few colleges in London to offer these options. Alternatively students can choose the Classical Civilisation route, where they read and respond to selected works of classical literature in translation. George, who runs the Classics department is a passionate, specialist teacher who encourages his students to encounter Ancient History in the flesh through trips to the British Museum and the annual Classics open day at Oxford.

Why study Classical Civilisation?

Students are often surprised and delighted at how much they enjoy their study of Classics . The stories they encounter are compelling and exciting and they have an opportunity to look at many different aspects of the ancient world. Classics A Level can give students a head start when applying for competitive Arts and Humanities courses and, in fact, knowledge of the ancient texts is very beneficial for students of English, Drama, Art or History of Art, for example. Classics is an undersubscribed and sometimes forgotten subject at higher education level and Universities are keen to get more candidates to apply.

Which syllabus do we follow?

We follow OCR specification for Classical Civilisation

How many units are there?

There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2.

What is each unit about?

Unit 1

As unit 1 is called ‘Homer’s Odyssey and Society’. Students will be required to be familiar with the world and the epic adventures of Odysseus as told in Homer’s Odyssey.

Unit 2

As unit 2 is called ‘Greek Tragedy in its Context’. Students will develop an understanding of tragic texts within their literary, social and historical contexts, demonstrate an understanding of dramatic literary techniques and produce personal responses to the ancient literature. We will read in class and watch on stage or screen full plays from the work of the prescribed authors Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides.

Unit 3

A2 unit3 is called ‘Comic Drama in the Ancient World’. Students will continue to develop understanding of dramatic texts in their literary, social and historical contexts, demonstrate an understanding of comedy techniques and produce personal responses to ancient literature. We will read in class and watch on stage or screen full plays from the work of the prescribed authors, Aristophanes, Menander and Plautus.

Unit 4

A2 unit 4 is called ‘Virgil and the World of the Hero’. Students will continue to develop understanding of epic texts in their literary, social and historical contexts, demonstrate an understanding of literary techniques and produce personal response to Greek and Latin literature in translation. We will read parts of Virgil’s Aeneid and Homer’s Iliad.

How is each unit examined?

Unit 1

Students sit a 1 hour 30 minute examination. Students answer one commentary question from a choice of two and one essay question from a choice of three.

Unit 2

Students sit a 1 hour 30 minute examination. Students answer one commentary question from a choice of two and one essay question from a choice of three.

Unit 3

Students sit a 2 hour examination. Students answer one commentary question from a choice of two and one essay question from a choice of three.

Unit 4

Students sit a 2 hour examination. Students answer one commentary question from a choice of two and one essay question from a choice of three.

How is the course structured?

Students study for unit 1 and 2 in the AS year, and unit 3 and 4 in the A2 year.

When do the exams take place?

Students sit AS units 1 and 2 in the May/June examination period. There may be a chance to resit these two units in January. Students sit A2 units 3 and 4 in May/June in the summer of the A2 year.

Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?

George Chaldezos
(BA Hons, Phd (Cambridge) Classics, Latin and Greek)

George studied Classics at the Universities of Thessaloniki, Cologne and Cambridge. He joined Ashbourne in 2003 as a teacher of Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation and has been running the Classics department since then. George is a member of the Association for Latin Teaching and Assistant Examiner for OCR and the Cambridge Pre-U.

Beyond A Level for Classical Civilisation students?

Classical Civilisation can be combined with other Arts and Humanities subjects such as English, History and History of Art. The A level gives students an excellent preparation for many courses at university. Students of Classical Civilisation enjoy success in a huge variety of careers from journalism to accountancy, and from management to publishing.

Any Other Information

Students who wish to study the Latin and Greek modules need a GCSE in the relevant language. Ideally students should have good grades in History and English at GCSE, if they wish to study Classical Civilisation A Level.

Textbooks

AS

Title – The Odyssey Author – Homer, translated by E V Rieu
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Odyssey-Penguin-Classics-Homer/dp/0140449116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276179077&sr=8-1

A2

Title – Oedipus, Electra Author – Sophocles, translated by Bernard Knox and Robert Fagles
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/THREE-THEBAN-PLAYS-Sophocles/dp/0140444254/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276179199&sr=8-1

Title – The Aeneid Author – Virgil, translated by David West
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aeneid-Penguin-Classics-Virgil/dp/0140449329/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276179291&sr=8-1