Classical Civilisation A Level
Component 1: The World of the Hero
(H408/11)
The A level in Classical Civilisation consists of three components. The first is a compulsory component, that comprises 40% of the total A level: The World of the Hero (H408/11).
This consists of an in-depth study of Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid in translation, which examines two of the great epic poems of antiquity (their composition, narrative techniques, characterisation and the cultural context within which they were created).
Marble portrait of the emperor Augustus
Rogers Fund, 1907
The Met Fifth Avenue
Component 1: The World of the Hero
(H408/11)
The A level in Classical Civilisation consists of three components. The first is a compulsory component, that comprises 40% of the total A level: The World of the Hero (H408/11).
This consists of an in-depth study of Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid in translation, which examines two of the great epic poems of antiquity (their composition, narrative techniques, characterisation and the cultural context within which they were created).
Marble portrait of the emperor Augustus
Rogers Fund, 1907
The Met Fifth Avenue
Component 2: Culture and the Arts
Greek Theatre (H408/21)
The second component is called Culture and the Arts, and is worth 30% of the overall A level. Dr Beer has chosen Greek Theatre (H408/21), which looks at the birth of Greek tragedy and comedy in the fifth century BCE and its development.
Learners will look at the mechanics of Greek theatre (buildings, costume and stagecraft) and the cultural context within which plays were staged, and the evidence for these practices (archaeological sites, texts and vase paintings).
Learners will study in detail two tragedies (Oedipus the King by Sophocles and the Bacchae by Euripides) and a comedy (Frogs by Aristophanes).
Theatre of Thorikos, Athens
Attribution: Dr. Peter Tzeferis, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Component 2: Culture and the Arts
Greek Theatre (H408/21)
The second component is called Culture and the Arts, and is worth 30% of the overall A level. Dr Beer has chosen Greek Theatre (H408/21), which looks at the birth of Greek tragedy and comedy in the fifth century BCE and its development.
Learners will look at the mechanics of Greek theatre (buildings, costume and stagecraft) and the cultural context within which plays were staged, and the evidence for these practices (archaeological sites, texts and vase paintings).
Learners will study in detail two tragedies (Oedipus the King by Sophocles and the Bacchae by Euripides) and a comedy (Frogs by Aristophanes).
Theatre of Thorikos, Athens
Attribution: Dr. Peter Tzeferis, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Component 3: Beliefs and Ideas
Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33)
The third component is called Beliefs and Ideas, again worth 30% of the A level. Learners will study a particularly tumultuous and important period of Roman history. In Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33), learners will look at the circumstances that led to the collapse of the Roman republic into civil war in the first century BCE, from the end of the dictatorship of Sulla to the death of Cicero and the move towards the birth of the empire under the emperor Augustus.
There will be a focus on several important individuals who shaped these events, in particular Cato, Caesar and Cicero. For the latter, learners will also look at his career as a prominent lawyer (as well as his political activities) and the letters he wrote to friends and contemporaries.
The course textbook will be used in conjunction with the set texts and sources. At the end of the modules there will opportunities to review and revise material before practising skills and knowledge through some examination-type papers.
Mark schemes will help candidates to understand what is required by the examiners to achieve the highest grades.
Acropolis, Athens
Image attribution: Jim Niakaris
Component 3: Beliefs and Ideas
Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33)
The third component is called Beliefs and Ideas, again worth 30% of the A level. Learners will study a particularly tumultuous and important period of Roman history. In Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33), learners will look at the circumstances that led to the collapse of the Roman republic into civil war in the first century BCE, from the end of the dictatorship of Sulla to the death of Cicero and the move towards the birth of the empire under the emperor Augustus.
There will be a focus on several important individuals who shaped these events, in particular Cato, Caesar and Cicero. For the latter, learners will also look at his career as a prominent lawyer (as well as his political activities) and the letters he wrote to friends and contemporaries.
The course textbook will be used in conjunction with the set texts and sources. At the end of the modules there will opportunities to review and revise material before practising skills and knowledge through some examination-type papers.
Mark schemes will help candidates to understand what is required by the examiners to achieve the highest grades.
Acropolis, Athens
Image attribution: Jim Niakaris
FAQs
12 months access: £159
24 months access: £189
If paying via 5 montly instalments:
12 months access: £33 (total: £165)
24 months access: £38.80 per month (total: £194)
These details are also on the purchase pages.
Yes, it is possible to start this course at any stage of the year.
You may wish to take a few factors into consideration. A levels generally take around 350 hours to complete. This, however, will vary depending on your previous experience of the subject or if you are re taking the A level.
Also, if you are taking Classical Civilisation A Level at a sixth form or college, this course can provide excellent support for your studies at any stage of the year.
The A-Level course requires approximately 350 hours of study. We offer the 12 and 24 month options to provide flexibility with when you start the course.
The course will require approximately 350 hours to complete. It is also important to allow time for revision and the practice of mock papers.
We offer the options of 12 and 24 months to allow for plenty of flexibility. In deciding how long you require to complete the course you should take the following into consideration:
Your current work, study, family and social commitments
Any holidays you may have booked.
Any other time commitments.
If you wish to take the exams, decide which year you will work towards.
You can then decide how many hours each week you can devote to the course. Whilst many students begin courses in September and January, it is possible to begin our courses during any month. You can therefore choose to spread out the course over as many months as suits your particular circumstances.
For example, we have students who start their course in February or March and take the exams the following year.
Yes. This is a comprehensive course, covering all the material required to successfully sit the A Level Latin exam (OCR).
The course fee does not include individual tutor support. Our courses provide exceptional, comprehensive material at an affordable cost. There are distance learning providers who offer tutor support and their fees reflect this. The support is usually via email.
Students following our courses benefit from the expertise of our course contributors. Dr Beer, for example, has contributed material for the current A Level Classical Civilisation syllabus and brings a wealth of teaching experience to the creation of our Classics courses.
As students progress through our courses they are able to check their understanding with study tasks, and questions (answers provided). It is also possible for students to revisit the sessions as often as required, allowing plenty of time to absorb and reflect on the material.
If a student decided they would like additional support, we are able to put them in touch with a tutor. Please email us at info@sulislearning.co.uk. We consider our courses to be excellent value and hope you will too.
Yes. This course can provide excellent support for those following the course through a sixth form or college.
No. If you are planning to sit the exams, you will need to contact your nearest private exam centre. Please see here for further information.
If you are an independent learner, you will need to arrange to sit the exams at a private exam centre. The following link is useful for locating your nearest exam centres: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/220734-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-latin-h443.pdf.
It is also worth enquiring at local secondary schools and colleges as they are sometimes able to accommodate private candidates.
Please see our FAQs for further information.
You will have access to the entire course.
Yes. You will need to purchase the following textbook:
OCR Classical Civilisation A level: World of the Hero (component 11)
By Sally Knights, Bloomsbury 2017
ISBN: 978-1350015074
The above is available through online retailers. You could also contact your local bookshop.
It is absolutely fine to follow this course out of in order to improve your Latin. It is not essential to sit the exams. We have many adult and independent learners who are following our courses simply due to their interest in the Classics. The courses follow the specifications of the GCSE and A Level courses, as specified on the course pages. The final exams would need to be booked at a private exam centre. It is worth noting that our courses include a link to a recent exam papers along with the marking scheme and examiner’s report. These are very useful for checking progress and where a student needs to focus.
You should receive your username and password to the course material shortly after payment. It is usually possible to start the course on the day of purchase.
Do get in touch if you have any further questions. Our email is info@sulislearning.co.uk. Or you can click on Contact Us. You may also find answers to your questions under FAQs.
