Year 12 – Classical Civilisation

Head of Subject: Mr C Bromley

Intended Outcomes

All learners will study visual and literary material from both Greece and Rome, and their surrounding worlds, focusing on reflections of the World of the Hero in Homer’s Odyssey and the works of prominent playwrights, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes in Fifth Century Greek Theatre. Skills will focus on a chronological and contextual understanding of these modules, with emphasis on forming critical judgements about Classical antiquity from appropriate evidence.  

  • Course Implementation

    World of the Hero – Homer’s Odyssey 

    An in-depth study of Homer’s Odyssey, using focused passages to assess literary techniques and composition, characterisation and themes, and the social, cultural and religious context of this epic. Students will be assessed using small-scale knowledge comprehension and retention questions on the prescribed books of the epic, with a variety of other questions modelled on the OCR exam papers, ranging from [10] mark literary source questions to [20] and [30] mark thematic questions, where the quality of longer written response will be judged. 

    Introduction to Greek Theatre 

    This module focuses on the study of the physical theatre space used by the Greeks to stage their dramas, depictions of this staging in the visual/material record throughout Classical antiquity and an in-depth study of the context of Greek Theatre in Fifth Century Athens. Students will be assessed using small-scale knowledge comprehension and retention questions on the context of Greek Theatre in Fifth Century Athens, and a variety of [10] mark visual source questions on the prescribed visual/material sources.

    Greek Theatre – Sophocles’ Oedipus the King 

    This module centres around an in-depth study of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, making assertions from Module 2 on the use of the physical theatre space and staging, and assessing the tragic themes and conventions used, such as the importance of the polis, tragic heroism and hamartia. Students will be assessed using small-scale knowledge comprehension and retention questions on the plot and structure of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, with a variety of other questions modelled on the OCR exam papers, ranging from [10] mark literary and visual source questions to [20] and [30] mark thematic questions, where the quality of longer written response will be judged. 

    Greek Theatre – Euripides’ Bacchae 

    This module centres around an in-depth study of Euripides’ Bacchae, making assertions from Module 2 on the use of the physical theatre space and staging, and assessing the tragic themes and conventions used, for example the role of the gods, the importance of family relationships and justice versus revenge. Students will be assessed using small-scale knowledge comprehension and retention questions on the plot and structure of Euripides’ Bacchae, with a variety of other questions modelled on the OCR exam papers, ranging from [10] mark literary and visual source questions to [20] and [30] mark thematic questions, where the quality of longer written response will be judged. 

    Greek Theatre – Aristophanes’ Frogs 

    This module centres around an in-depth study of Aristophanes’ Frogs, making assertions from Module 2 on the use of the physical theatre space and staging, and assessing the comic themes and conventions used, for example death and the afterlife, the position and role of men and women within the polis, political ideals and ideas, and the representation of satire. Students will be assessed using small-scale knowledge comprehension and retention questions on the plot and structure of Aristophanes’ Frogs, with a variety of other questions modelled on the OCR exam papers, ranging from [10] mark literary and visual source questions to [20] and [30] mark thematic questions, where the quality of longer written response will be judged. 

Learning Impact

At the end of Year 12 study, students will sit a two-part mock exam paper; the first section will comprise 60% of the paper and assess student knowledge and skills in World of the Hero: Homer’s Odyssey, using OCR approved questions of all variety. Whereas the second section will comprise 40% of the paper and assess student knowledge and skills in all aspects of Greek Theatre, from its context and visual/material sources to the three plays themselves. This will be reported to parent/carers through the relevant data drop and Parents’ Evenings, with half-termly communication of end-of-module assessment data for students who are under-performing or exceeding expectations. 

By using this website you agree to accept our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions