An engineering specialism within a grammar school
Classics
Looking Back, Going Forward... combining tradition with vision.
Aims of the Department
We want to see every student at RGS have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the classical world, since it underpins so many areas of our western culture - for instance, literature, art, drama, architecture, philosophy.
Furthermore, we wish to equip the students who choose to study Latin with the language skills to read works written by Roman authors 2000 years ago, and through this develop a broader understanding of and compassion for people of different cultures.
The study of Latin will also provide a good foundation for the study of European modern foreign languages, as well as an understanding of the development of the English language.
Courses of Study
KS4 Classical Civilisation
Students may choose to study Classical Civilisation as a GCSE option. No prior knowledge of the subject is expected, but students who do well in this subject often have an interest in the classical world through mythology or history which they have encountered at KS3 or through the Media.
We follow the AQA syllabus, which prescribes the study of 5 modules, 4 of which are examined by examination, and 1 by coursework.
Paper 1 Greek & Roman Literature in Translation (we often choose to study Homer’s Odyssey, and two plays of Sophocles for this option.)
Paper 2 Two civilisation topics ( Mycenaean Civilisation and Greek Religious Festivals have been the choices in recent years.)
Coursework There is one coursework module worth 20% of the final grade. This consists of 3 pieces of work (c. 750 words each) on a prescribed aspect of the ancient world.
KS4 Latin
Students who opt to study Latin at GCSE usually have no prior knowledge although some students have met the language at Prep. School, or through an extra-curricular club at RGS.
The learning-curve is steep, but the combination of a small teaching-group and well-motivated students mean that excellent progress is made.
We follow the OCR syllabus, at the end of which students sit 4 exam papers on the following topics:
- Translation and comprehension – a series of linked passages are provided provided for translation and comprehension.
- Verse literature – students are tested on their knowledge of the poems they have studied by authors such as Horace, Virgil and Ovid.
- Prose literature – students answer comprehension and evaluation questions on the work of an author they have studied – that author might be Pliny, Tacitus, Livy or Caesar.
- Background topics – aspects of Roman life, such as The Roman Army or Roman Everyday Life.
AS/A2 Classical Civilisation
Sixth form students from a variety of backgrounds choose to study Classical Civilisation at this level - some have gained a GCSE in the subject, others have no previous knowledge. All, however, have a strong interest in the ancient world and an affinity for a literary based subject, which requires good essay-writing skills.
We follow the OCR syllabus in which three modules are studied at AS; these three topics are then studied in further depth at A2 level. The topics currently studied are:
At AS:
- Greek Epic - Homer’s Odyssey
- Greek Tragedy - three plays by Aeschylus and Sophocles
- Greek Art and Architecture - Greek pottery and the architecture of temples and sanctuaries.
These three modules are tested by three exam papers at the end of the AS course (summer session); there is no assessment by coursework at RGS.
At A2:
- Greek and Roman Epic - a synoptic module, in which the development of the epic genre, between the work of Homer and Virgil is studied.
- Greek Tragedy - also a synoptic module; students read three plays by Euripides and comparisons are made between these and the three plays studied at AS level.
- Greek Art and Architecture - the focus of this year’s work is Greek sculpture from the Archaic period to the end of the 4th century BC.
At the end of the A2 year students are assessed by three written exam papers; again, we do not offer a coursework option.
AS/A2 Latin
Students with a good GCSE in Latin (B or above) may choose to study the subject further. Teaching is in (very) small groups and students have the experience of reading extended selections of the works a Roman author, and thus gain a real understanding of what made a man “tick” over two thousand years ago. Further language work is undertaken, with the aim of better understanding the authors read.
Extra-Curricular
- Visits to Greece and Italy for Upper School students
- Latin club for Lower School Students.
Why study Classical Civilisation and Latin today?
- Over 50% of English words come from Latin.
- Some of the finest literature ever written was written by the Greeks & Romans.
- The Romans were brilliant engineers - some of their roads have lasted 2000 years!
- Nothing makes us so aware of our humanity as realising that people were wrestling with the same issues 2 millennia ago - the role of women; the nature of freedom; is it inevitable that I will do what I’m destined to do?; dysfunctional families; is it wrong to seek revenge?
And the views of a wider world:
The Joint Association of Classics Teachers (JACT) invited Employers to give their views of a "classical" education; here are some of them:
“Greece and Rome…a wonderful way to learn about politics… and the origins of our civilisation.” [Bank]
“A Classics degree is almost as broad as you can go – certainly broader than English or a modern language – Industry would welcome Classicists.” [Publisher]
Useful internet links
www.cambridgescp.com
- vocabulary
testing facility
www.classicspage.com -
interesting background information
www.perseus.tufts.edu -
classical texts and artefacts
