Ancient History

OCR A2 GCE in Classics: Classical Civilisation H441

The Four-Unit Advanced GCE

     From September 2008, the Advanced GCE is made up of the two units at AS and two further units at A2. These A2 units are also externally assessed in June. The department is currently considering adopting the two areas of study below:

Unit CC3: Roman Britain: life in the outpost of the Empire

• Romano-British society and history as depicted in the literary and archaeological record

Unit CC4: Art and Architecture in the Greek World

• The sculpture, vase painting and architecture of the Classical Greek world

Ancient History
OCR
AS 3809
A2 7809 JACT

This subject is not taught at GCSE, which gives pupils a chance to make a fresh start on a new and different course. We aim to give an insight into the civilisation of Rome, exploring the important aspects of political life, social and economic developments, the growth of philosophical ideas and the strategies of great generals.

Evidence is taken from the writings of men who witnessed the events as they happened (we use English translations'), and we study the opinions of modern scholars. We also look closely at the problems and successes of archaeology in topics such as art, architecture and religion.

We expect that students embarking on the course will have shown an ability to write coherently and to develop independent ideas at GCSE: a pass in History, Geography, English or RS will suffice.

The new A level course is divided into two distinct areas of study which enables us to look closely at the two areas of particular interest.

AS course (Year 12)

Unit 1 (33.3% of total)
A study of ancient sources which examines the reign of the first emperor, Augustus Caesar, and his method of manipulating his subjects by means of propaganda.

Unit 2 (33.3% of total)
A study of the Age of Augustus (31 BC-AD 14), examining the achievements throughout the Roman world in this important period.

Unit 3 (33.3% of total)
The City of Rome, 33BC -A£)l 17. This unit looks at the way in which the city of Rome was rebuilt, and the wishes and needs of its increasing population were addressed in a period of immense change and advance.

A2 course (Year 13)

Unit 4 (33.3% of total)
A study of the way in which Roman authors viewed Britain and the Britons between 55BC and AD 160, using the relevant ancient sources.

Unit 5 (33.3% of total)
A study of the Roman advances in Britain from the invasion by Claudius in AD43 to the abandonment of Antoninus Pius' wall between the Forth and the Clyde.

Unit 6 (33.3% of total)
A study of the ways in which the administration, culture and society of Britain changed under the rule of Rome, in ways which are still evident today!

This course is diverse in its areas of study, and as such is a good preparation for courses in several areas of Higher Education. In recent years students of Ancient History have won places at universities to read Classical Studies, History, Media Studies, Business Studies and Administration, English, Law and European Studies.