classics

The Classics department aims to provide all our pupils with a challenging, intellectual experience at a level appropriate to their age, whether in language, literature or civilisation.

We hope that, to whatever level pupils study the subject, they will have positive recollections of their lessons and will feel that they have gained insights into elements of western European and other societies: language, literature, law, attitude to religion, political structures and technology.

Greek

WHY IS GREEK EXCITING AT CLSG?

The language and culture of ancient Greece has gripped Western imagination for 2000 years. This is no accident; the Greeks' influence is still evident all around. This fast-paced course is one of few opportunities to study the language.

GCSE

Ideal for enthusiastic and able linguists, students will concentrate on language work in Year 10, utilising various computer programs to boost grammar and vocabulary learning. In Year 11, they will progress to reading the two set texts and focus on translations. The Greek set books are selections from one prose author and one verse author. There are also various opportunities to visit lectures, plays and museums as appropriate.

SIXTH FORM

Students will read in the original language some of the most influential works of poetry and prose in Western Literature. They will gain a deeper insight into the way language works through the medium of interesting and thought provoking texts. As well as being a worthwhile language in its own right, Greek is a valuable qualification for entering nearly all courses and professions. Greek combines well with all arts subjects and many girls who study sciences enjoy it as a welcome contrast. There is a chance to absorb the culture of the ancients via trips to Greece as well as visits to the British Museum and the Cast Museum in Cambridge.

Greek can be studied independently or in conjunction with Classical Civilisation.

EXAM BOARDS

GCSE - OCR. The examination comprises two language papers, one prose literature and one verse literature paper.

A Level - OCR

Latin

WHY IS LATIN EXCITING AT CLSG?

Latin is far from being a dead language. At City there are many reasons why studying Latin is interesting and exciting:

Students enjoy the challenge and discipline of learning a highly inflected language
We read quality works of ancient literature in the original
We make interesting comparisons between the ancient world and today
Latin helps to improve spelling and widen English vocabulary
It provides a key to many modern European languages
The study of a classical language teaches students to solve problems, think precisely and communicate clearly

COURSE CONTENT

Years 7-9

Students focus on the life of ancient Romans living in Italy, Roman Egypt and Roman Britain. From the outset of the course, we read Latin stories set firmly in a Roman context, with language points introduced into the stories and analysed after reading.

While language work accounts for most of the students’ time, the study of the background is an integral part of the course. Students are encouraged to notice the contribution of Latin to English vocabulary and learn to interpret and evaluate archaeological and simple written evidence.

Years 10 - 11

Students who choose this subject can expect to be reading real Latin literature by the spring of Year 10. They will study set texts, including a selection of poetry and prose and supplement their academic studies with trips to museums, lectures and plays as appropriate.

SIXTH FORM

Students will read in the original language some of the most influential works of poetry and prose in Western Literature. They will gain a deeper insight into the way language works through the medium of interesting and thought provoking texts. As well as being a worthwhile language in it own right, Latin is a very valuable qualification for entering nearly all courses and professions. Latin combines well with all arts subjects, and many girls who study sciences enjoy it as a welcome contrast. There is a chance to absorb the culture of the ancients via trips to Classical sites abroad.

Latin can be studied independently or in conjunction with Classical Civilisation.

EXAM BOARDS

GCSE - OCR. The examination comprises two language papers - one prose literature and one verse literature paper.

A Level - OCR

Classical Civilisation

WHY IS CLASSICAL CIVILISATION EXCITING AT CLSG?

We study outstanding achievements in art, architecture, drama and literature
The subject has huge variety. We cover a wide breadth of ideas in art, philosophy and history, as well as drama and literature
Students relate what they have learned from the classical world to a modern context
We develop skills which can be transferred to other disciplines - the ability to observe, abstract and analyse information; students learn to pay due regard to evidence and develop a sympathetic awareness of the motives and attitudes of people of a different time and culture.
It is a great partner to all arts and science subjects and is highly regarded by all universities including Oxbridge.

SIXTH FORM

Students selecting Classical Civilisations study the culture of Greece and Rome, examining some of their outstanding achievements in art, architecture, drama and literature. The subject has huge variety and covers a wide breadth of ideas in art, philosophy and history, as well as drama and literature. It is a great partner to all arts and science subjects and is highly regarded by all universities, including Oxbridge.