Classical Civilisation

 

What is Classical Civilisation? It is the study of the literature of Greece through Homer and Greek Tragedians, the art and architecture of ancient Greece and the literature of Rome through Virgil.  By reading ancient stories and looking at ancient art we also learn about ancient life, society, politics, marriage, entertainment, warfare, mythology and relationships.

 

Qualification: 
AS Level
Length: 
Level 3 one year course, 4 Periods a week.
Unit 1: 

 

We read Homer’s Odyssey, the epic poem about Odysseus and his journey home from Troy. On his 10 year journey he is seduced by beautiful women, attacked by monsters and loses all his men.  We study the literary aspect of the story to analyse its structure and language.  We also look at the many characters, the fantasy (e.g. the one-eyed cannibal - the Cyclops) and the part played by the Gods, in order that we may come to understand such aspects of Greek society as their religion, the concept of the male hero, their ideas of justice and revenge, etc.

 

 
Unit 2: 

Brief description of Unit 2: We read a number of Greek Tragedies, which are short stories that would have been acted out in the ancient Greek theatre.  These plays are fascinating stories about people in ancient Greece and tell us much about the tragedy of human life, usually brought about by an individual’s arrogance or by the gods.  For example, Oedipus, a victim of the gods, unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, is a man who committed no crime himself to have diserved such a tragic fate.  In these short stories we learn about Athenian society, religion and values and they help us understand the importance of Greek gods, mythology, oracles, omens, death and the position of women in the ancient Greek world.

 
What the department specifically offers that is noteworthy...: 
  • Staff are enthusiastic and committed to the students and the subject. A number of students have gone on to further study in straight Classics as well as Archaeology & Classics, Ancient History, and Archaeology & Ancient History.
  • A great strength of the department is that it offers very many opportunities for students to become more informed about the Classical world and its legacy. For instance, trips to the theatre to see Greek Tragedy, to the cinema to see the latest Hollywood efforts to recreate an ancient event or individual and a visit to walk the wall built during the time of Hadrian.
  • In addition, students get the chance to handle genuine ancient Greek vases during an afternoon at the Manchester Museum and to wander the extensive collections at the British Museum.  Classical Civilisation students may have the opportunity to visit mainland Greece for a week’s study tour which includes Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Tiryns, Corinth and Athens.  
  • With departmental support, students have become involved in archaeological digs including 'Dig Manchester' at Northenden, volunteering their own time to take part in the Manchester University organised dig. Students have found this very rewarding, especially those with an interest in undertaking archaeology at University. 

Who does this subject?

 

  • Students interested in developing a career including: Archaeology, Architecture (architecture studied in Year 13), Journalism, Law, Business, Art History (art and sculpture studied in Year 13).
  • Studying Classical Civilisation provides students with an opportunity to study a variety of aspects of the Classical world; archaeology, architecture, art, history, literature, philosophy, politics, religion and social history and, therefore, develops the ability to assess, evaluate and understand the origins of western civilisation and promotes an awareness of the similarities and differences between the Classical world and the modern world we live in.

 

Exam Board: 
OCR
GCSE Requirements: 
General College entry requirements.