BHS Sixth Form Options 2025
CLASSICAL CIVILISATION
EXAM BOARD: OCR
What does the course involve:
Students study material from both Greece and Rome and their surrounding worlds. This material will encompass aspects of literature and visual/material culture in their respective social, historical and cultural contexts. Learners will study a range of evidence, and use this to form substantiated judgements and responses.
FOR STUDENTS
INTERESTED IN:
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Learning about the ancient world
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Gaining a better understanding of the present through study of the past
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Gaining a deeper understanding of literature past and present
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Interpreting ideas creatively
Component 1: the World of the Hero - Homer’s Iliad
The works of Homer are the foundation of the Western literary canon, and the Greeks themselves considered The Iliad and The Odyssey the bedrock of Greek culture. With their unique composition, and exciting tales of gods and heroes, these works of literature form an excellent grounding for exploration of the classical world. This epic poem tells the story of Helen of Troy and Greek and Trojan heroes as they face a life and death struggle on the windy plains of Troy. The ‘Iliad’, first written down in the 8th Century BCE, is still relevant today as it tackles the big themes of love, death, war and friendship.
Component 2: The Imperial Image - Rome in the Age of Augustus
The idea of a politician ‘spinning’ their public image is one which is very familiar from our contemporary media, and so this exploration of a Roman politician and his successful propaganda campaign is both highly relevant and engaging for students. Through an examination of the literature and visual/material culture of the period, this component allows learners to examine the ways in which Augustus conveyed his personal brand to all social classes of Rome.
POSSIBLE
CAREER PATHS:
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Education
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Business
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Law
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Art
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History
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Medicine
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Media
