Classical Civilisation A' Level (Full AS + A2) Course

Course Structure

AS Level Unit 1: Homer’s Odyssey and Society (F382)

Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey and the values and societies it represents. The principal focus of the unit is on literature, with secondary focus on history and archaeology. The examination questions will be set on Odyssey Books 4-12 and 18-22.

The social and cultural context: The themes to be studied and on which candidates shall be examined are: the role of the gods and the power of fate; the stories of the heroes; the concept of heroism including timé and kleos; morality including justice and revenge; life and society as portrayed by Homer; the role of women; hospitality and xenia; the role of slaves and the historical and archaeological background.

The literary context: Furthermore, candidates are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of: the oral tradition; textual transmission of the texts; the preliterate form of the texts and theories of the composition of the text; structure of the text and literary techniques; the language of epic; characterisation; supernatural elements; realism and fantasy; disguise and recognition and nostos.

AS Level Unit 2: Greek Tragedy in its Context (F384)

The tragic plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides as literary works and as social documents for the societies and values they represent. The principal focus of this unit is on literature, society and values, with a secondary focus on philosophy, religion and history. From June 2009-2011 inclusive, the examination questions will be set on: Aeschylus’ Agamemnon; Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Euripides’ Medea and Bacchae.

The social and cultural context: Candidates will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge and show understanding of the following in fifth century Athens: dramatic festivals; the role of the gods and fate; oracles, omens and prophecies; morality including justice and revenge; death and burial; the stories of the heroes and the ideas of honour and reputation; the role of men in the life of the city; the position of women in society and the importance of children and the family.

The literary context: Furthermore, candidates are expected to demonstrate their knowledge of: the theatre building and machinery; the use of actors; the use of the chorus; other dramatic conventions; attitude towards the portrayal of death and violence; characterisation; use of language and dramatic irony; the nature of tragedy including hamartia, katharsis and peripeteia and the particular styles and approaches characteristic of the three tragedians and their contribution to the development of the genre of Greek tragedy.

A2 Level Unit 3: Art and Architecture in the Greek world (F388)

The sculpture, architecture and vase painting of the classical Greek world with a principal focus on art, architecture and religion. The secondary focus is on society and values. Candidates must be familiar with a range of free-standing sculpture, temple architecture, vase paintings and architectural sculpture.

A2 Level Unit 4: Virgil and the World of the Hero (F390)

Virgil’s epic poem the Aeneid and the values and societies it represents, with a principal focus on literature, society and values, and a secondary focus on religion, politics and history. The similarities and differences between Virgil’s portrayal of the hero and that found in selected parts of Homer’s Iliad.

The political, social, historical and cultural context: Candidates are expected to show their knowledge and understanding of: Virgil’s relationship to the regime of Augustus and the political and historical background in which the Aeneid was written.

The literary context: Furthermore, candidates are expected to show knowledge and understanding of: the composition of both epics; the plot; narrative and descriptive techniques; characterisation and themes including heroism, honour and reputation, family, women, the role of the gods, the power of fate, the portrayal of war, moral values and the role of Aeneas in imperial history of Rome.

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