Sixth Form Prospectus 2011 Head of Department: Miss Sophia Potter
Examination Board: OCR
Why study Latin?
The vast majority of our AS students decide to continue the subject to A2, proof that they really enjoyed the AS course. You will have the opportunity to read some of the World’s greatest Literature in the original language – an exhilarating experience. Latin appeals to lots of different sorts of students: we regularly have scientists as well as arts students in the Department. Several successful Oxbridge science applicants have done Latin as their 4th subject for example. To enjoy Latin at AS, you should like one or more of the following: variety, challenges, logical analysis and problem solving, discussion, great Literature, sarcasm and scandal!
Will I enjoy it?
Latin is a hugely stimulating and enjoyable subject at AS, stretching lots of different parts of your brain. It is multi-disciplinary, combining Language and Literature. The Classics Department has a strong tradition of sending students to prestigious universities to study Classics (and even then teach it!), but our A-Level students apply for a wide range of courses, with success. Employers and universities regard Latin very highly because it teaches you to think logically, solve problems and write coherently. The next Classics trip will be in 2012, to Italy!
Course Content
Assessment
AS: 2 X 1.5 hour papers: Language, and Latin Prose and Verse. A2: 2 x 2h papers: Latin Prose and Latin Verse – the papers will combine unseen and prepared passages. Coursework Requirements: None
Tell me more….
•
•
•
•
latin
You can view the specifications yourself at www.ocr.org.uk. The key components of study are Language and Literature. The AS set texts for 2012 are Ovid “Amores 3” and Cicero “Against Verres”. Ovid’s Amores are love poems, but with a twist. Ovid has a very sharp wit and enjoys parodying the works of his predecessors. Cicero was probably the most famous lawyer the world has ever known. Verres was governor of Sicily and after his term of office, the people of Sicily implored Cicero to prosecute him for all sorts of heinous crimes. The speech was so brilliant that Verres actually fled after the second part. Cicero couldn’t resist the temptation to write the rest down anyway. The Language paper at AS involves unseen translation from Latin and English-Latin sentences. Translating into Latin is enjoyable and satisfying and we teach it in bite-size chunks to build up your confidence and precision.
We regularly get excellent grades – a majority of A grades. In 2009, we won the Good Schools Guide Award for Best A-Level Latin Results in a Girls’ School. Latin is useful for helping you fulfil all sorts of degree and career aspirations. Classicists enter into all sorts of fields after university and have some of the lowest unemployment rates for arts students. They become bankers, lawyers, civil servants, diplomats, journalists, politicians, even teachers. You do NOT have to want to study Classics at degree level to enjoy and succeed at Latin AS level. We regularly teach aspiring modern linguists, English students, historians, medics, lawyers etc. Latin makes a good contrasting subject for those who are intending to study sciences at university, including Oxbridge. If you are going to do one Arts subject, make it Latin – it’s classy, challenging and fun!
31