Subject - Classics
Classics
Teaching Staff
Paul Tweddle
Gayle Brickley
Duncan Gould
Intent Statement
For a long time the classics have been reserved for the elite and used as a method of social exclusion. The CFS Classics Department embodies optimum omnibus and strongly believes that every child should have the opportunity to study the classical world, regardless of background or ability.
Pupils are well equipped to progress linguistically throughout the key stages by gradually building their understanding of vocabulary, grammar, translation, comprehension and appreciation of literary style.
At CFS pupils gain the ability to think and write like a classicist. Not only do they gain the fundamental skills to read ancient languages, but they also gain the skills to analyse and critically question the (often problematic) nature of the ancient world and its legacy.
Key Stage 3, Latin
At Key Stage 3 pupils follow the de Romains Latin course which they continue to use for GCSE.
Year 7
Language
Introduction to Latin sentences and word order.
Nominative and accusative nouns (singular and plural)
Adjectival agreement
Prepositions with the accusative
The perfect tense
Civilisation
Who were the Olympian gods? Overview of the gods. Myth of Saturn and Jupiter. Birth of Minerva.
How heroic were the Roman heroes? - Hercules, Aeneas, Romulus, Heroes of the Early Republic (Horatius Cocles, Mucius Scaevola, Cloelia)
Year 8
Language
Ablative nouns
Prepositions with the ablative
Compound verbs
Conjugations and principal parts
Infinitives
Irregular verbs - sum, eo, possum, fero, nolo & volo
Adverbs
The imperfect tense
Direct questions
Genitive nouns
Dative nouns + verbs which take the dative
Civilisation
How Roman were the Roman gods? - Romans and the Olympians, household gods, Janus, personified deities, Julius Caesar & Quirinus, Gods from other communities
How did the Romans worship their gods? - Temples, priests & priestesses, sacrifices, punishment, curses, the underworld.
Oratory
What is oratory and why is it important?
Good listening.
The Aristotelian triad; ethos, logos & pathos.
Rhetorical techniques.
Learning from great speakers.
Crafting our own speeches.
Voice, body language & gesture.
Year 9
Language
Consolidation of Year 7 and Year 8 vocabulary and grammar
Present tense of irregular verbs: sum, possum, eo, adsum, absum, fero, nolo & volo
Present tense endings
Present participles
Introduction to literary analysis of Latin texts
Language consolidation through civilisation
Civilisation
How "fun" were Roman festivals? - Saturnalia & Lupercalia
Did the Romans only attend the games to watch “blood and gore"? - Gladiatorial shows & chariot racing
Overview of Ancient History
Epic - Causes & events of the Trojan War + the Odyssey
Comparison of 5th century Athens & Sparta
Rome: from monarchy to republic to empire
Key Stage 4, Latin
GCSE Latin
Syllabus: Eduqas
Latin Language, 50%, 1hr 30
Section A:
A range of short comprehension questions testing understanding of the storyline (55% of the marks for this component).
Translation of a passage from Latin into English, with a gradation of difficulty (35% of the marks for this component).
Section B:
A choice of either:
translation from English into Latin
or
questions testing grammatical understanding (10% of the marks for this component).
Latin Literature and Sources (Themes), 30%, 1hr 15
Students will analyse and compare a set prescription of Latin literature, both prose and verse, from a range of Roman authors on a theme. Students are also set a selection of ancient source materials on the same theme.
This exam is open-book - students will be provided with a full vocabulary list during this exam.
Current theme: Magic & Superstition
Latin Literature (Narratives), 20%, 1hr
Students will analyse a set prescription of Latin literature forming a narrative, accompanied by adjacent passage(s) in English.
This exam is open-book - students will be provided with a full vocabulary list during this exam.
Current Text: Tacitus' Boudicca
Key Stage 4, Classical Civilisation
GCSE Classical Civilisation
Syllabus - OCR
Component 1: Thematic Study
Myth and Religion
50% of GCSE, 1 hr 30 mins written paper 90 marks
A comparative study of ancient Greece and Rome combining literary and visual/material sources.
Topics studied:
Gods and Goddesses
The Universal Hero: Herakles/Hercules
Religion and the City: Temples
Myth and the City: Foundation Stories
Festivals
Myth and Symbols of Power
Death and Burial
Journeying to the Underworld
Component 2: Literature and Culture
War and Warfare
50% of GCSE, 1 hr 30 mins written paper 90 marks
An in-depth cultural study and one study of related literature.
Cultural study topics covered:
Sparta at War in the 5th century (Spartan society and the Battle of Thermopylae)
Athens at War in the 5th century (The Athenian military, impact on society and the Battle of Salamis)
The Roman Military in the Imperial Period
The Romans at War (Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Augustus, Cleopatra and the Battle of Actium as well as Trajan’s campaign against the Dacians)
Literature study texts include sections from:
Homer, Iliad
Tyrtaeus Fragment 10 The Fallen Warrior
Virgil, Aeneid
Horace Odes
Key Stage 4, Classical Greek
GCSE Classical Greek
Syllabus OCR
Language, 50%, 1hr 30
Learners study texts and stories in Classical Greek to build knowledge and understanding of Classical Greek vocabulary, accidence and syntax.
The Language component requires learners to translate a passage of Classical Greek, answer comprehension questions and either answer questions on syntax and accidence within the context of a narrative passage or translate short English sentences into Classical Greek.
Literature, 25%, 1hr
Learners study Classical Greek set texts and answer questions in English on aspects of content and analyse, evaluate and respond to the ancient literature they have studied.
The Literature component will require the study of between 110 and 120 lines of material in Classical Greek. These set texts will change every two
years.
Current text: Prose A Herodotus' Ethiopians
Literature and Culture, 25%, 1hr
Learners study two topics on Greek Civilisation and Culture using the sources in the Prescribed Sources Booklet and answer questions in English on aspects of content, culture, social practices and values.
Current topics: Athenian Society & the Olympics
Extra-curricular opportunities
Classical Greek is run as an extracurricular club and GCSE. Pupils can join in Year 8 where they are introduced to the alphabet and then follow the Basil Batrakhos course. They can then opt to study the Greek GCSE as an extracurricular GCSE from Y9 to Y11.
In the past we have run a trip to Roman Bath in Somerset and will be planning a trip next year to the British Museum. Pupils have previously represented the school at a Latin Spelling Bee competition. In the future we would like to plan a residential trip to Rome and the Bay of Naples in Italy.