Richmond School
School Departments | Latin Classics
KS3
Year 7 – In Year 7 all students get a taste of Greek mythology, either as a part of Classical History or as a stand-alone lesson once a fortnight.
Year 8 and 9 – At Key Stage 3 for beginners’ Latin students follow the popular Cambridge Latin course where they access the language through a story-based approach. As well as learning more about Roman culture and society throughout the early Empire.
KS4
Classical Civilisation
The topics that are covered in the Classical Civilisation course are:
• Greek Athletics (the Olympic games)• Early History of Rome
• Greek Theatre and Tragedy
• Greek Mythology
• Homer’s “Odyssey”
• Virgil’s “Aeneid”
• Archaeology: Pompeii and Herculaneum
The course is made up of:
Coursework (20%)
(3 pieces of work approximately 750 words each on Homer’s “Odyssey”)
Exams (80%)
(2 exams of 1 hour 45 minutes each)
Latin
This course is a continuation of that followed in Years 8 and 9 and leads to the GCSE examination specially designed for students following the Cambridge Latin course.
There is no coursework but there are two written exams of 2 hours and 1 hour 45 minutes.
Main topics studied are:
• Latin language• Latin literature (Aeneas and Dido in Carthage; extracts from the Roman writer, Pliny)
• Roman Civilisation (Aspects of Roman social life)
Universities and many employers recognise the value of Latin and hold on high regard the skills and concepts that the subject teaches.
KS5
Classical Civilisation
This is a course open to anyone with an interest in literature and history; previous study of the subject is not required. It investigates the works of the major Greek and Roman authors in English translation. Studies include myth, legend, epic, satire and drama, as well as the political and social conditions of the time. Students will quickly realise the debt that modern society owes to the classical period and are encouraged to come to a greater understanding of today’s world by making these links.
AS Year:
• Greek Epic: Homer’s “Odyssey”• Roman Satire
• Greek Comedy
For Modules 1 and 2 there will be an examination lasting 1½ hours. Students will be required to do one context question (answering questions on a short passage from a set text) and to write one essay. For Greek Comedy, students have to complete a coursework essay of approximately 2000 words.
A2 Year:
• Roman Epic: Virgil’s “Aeneid”• Greek Comedy
• Roman Satire
The assessment style will be the same as that at AS level except that the essays will be synoptic and will require students to draw on their knowledge of both AS and A2 set texts.
Latin
This course involves the study of the Latin language and its literature. The “Cambridge Latin Course” approach used up to GCSE is continued with the emphasis being on the comprehension and translation of unseen and prepared set texts. The study of Latin at this level enhances analytical skills and logical thought as well as an appreciation of a range of styles used in original texts.
AS Unit One – prose set text comprehension and appreciation (1 hour)
AS Unit Two – Prose set text translation and an essay (1 hour)
AS Unit Three – unprepared translation (1 hour)
A2 Unit Four – Appreciation of verse set text literature: Virgil’s “Aeneid” (1¾ hours)
A2 Unit Five – Unprepared translation of both prose and verse (1½ hours)
A2 Unit Six – Comprehension of an unseen prose passage (1½ hours)
All units are assessed by a written examination: there is no coursework option in this subject.
Students attend lectures at Newcastle University designed to give them a taste of university life. In the Easter holiday of 2008 there will be a study visit to the classical sites of Greece. The course will be taught by Mr Brettell. Universities and many employers recognise the value of Latin and hold in high regard the skills and concepts the subject teaches.
Contact information
Mr J Brettell - (01748) 850111
Mrs S Byrom - (01748) 850111
Mr M Weston - (01748) 850111