Classical Civilisation

Course outline

OCR (H408)

Classical Civilisation is open to all students. You do not need to have studied GCSE Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation. It offers you the opportunity to explore the literature, art, history, politics and culture of the ancient world.

If you enjoy History or English literature or Religion and Philosophy, then you can be confident that you will be well suited to this course. You will study some ancient literature in translation, giving you the chance to explore and discuss fascinating texts with universal themes of love, loss, destiny and betrayal. You will also study visual and archaeological sources including a range of Greek art and architecture, beautiful in itself and the inspiration for later cultures.

Over the two year course, you will study:

• Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid (2hr 20min paper)

• Greek Theatre (1hr 45min paper)

• Greek Religion (1hr 45min paper)

Classicists learn skills which both universities and employers value – they are independent thinkers, analytical, good at problem-solving and articulate. Employers know that Classicists can think and write clearly and that they appreciate the value of other cultures and communities. Classics does not lead directly to any one career, so it lets you keep your options open. You could become a best-selling author like J K Rowling, a journalist like Martha Kearney, an actor like Tom Hiddleston, a musician like Chris Martin or a scholar like Mary Beard. The possibilities are endless and Classics has an excellent graduate employment rate.

At RHS, you will be encouraged to extend your study beyond the classroom, through attending lectures and educational visits. There is the opportunity to visit classical sites locally and residential trips are also offered further afield to Italy and Greece.

“Rome is ingrained in our political, cultural and literary traditions, and ways of thinking. It is a fair bet that there has not been a single day since 19BCE when someone somewhere has not been reading Virgil’s Aeneid” - Mary Beard

“Classical Civilisation allows me to engage with the earliest literature, highly complementing my study of English literature, which so often refers to the work of the classical period. The chance to study Greek sculpture and pottery provides me with an interesting and different challenge.”