AS Level Classics (CLAS-S)

AS Level Classics (CLAS-S)

Course Description
What will I learn on this course?
2010
The theme of the two-year course will be "The world of Classical Athens"
· You will be introduced to four aspects of the Greek world at the climax of its achievement in the 5th century BCE - two at AS, two more at A2

· You should develop an appreciation of distinctive Classical ways of thought and feeling and of the Classical tradition in Western culture.

· You will base your studies on authentic material - written sources and physical evidence.

· The study units will be drawn from these topics:

o literature - Greek tragedy and / or epic poetry

o history - the Athenian democracy and its attempts at imperialism

o art - Greek sculpture and architecture.

o philosophy - the life of Socrates.

What kind of assessments will I have to complete to get my qualification?
AS
· Two modular written exams on two separate topics at the end of year 12.

· There will be a mixture of short data-response questions and longer essays.

A2
· Two more modular written exams on two separate topics at the end of year 13.

· The format is similar to the AS papers, but requiring answers of greater depth or breadth.

(There is no examined coursework)

What kind of student is this course suitable for?
· You should be interested in exploring other cultures , willing to enjoy and appreciate their achievements, and open to intellectual and aesthetic stimulus from studying them.

· You need to like reading , as much of the source material is written text and many supporting resources are in book form.

· You should be willing to attend a few evening lectures and whole-day courses organised by outside bodies, and visit museums and theatres.

What could I do with a qualification in this subject?
· This A (or AS) level will contribute to the broader based study which is now preferred for sixth forms, and to the acquisition of key skills.

· It will support a university application for any degree course, in arts or sciences. There are university degree courses in Classical Studies, and graduates with this qualification adopt a variety of careers, in education, business, public administration and many other areas.

Entry Requirements
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
· The subject of a Classical Civilisation syllabus is the study of Ancient Greek and / or Roman culture and society.
· Our examination will be set by AQA (the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance). It is designed to be accessible to those without any previous experience of Classics and there is no study of the Greek and Latin languages.
· The only entry requirement is a GCSE grade B in English.
· Those with a GCSE in Latin or Classical Civilisation are very welcome - they will find that an A level develops their appreciation and extends their knowledge.