AS/A2 LEVELS CLASSICAL CIVILISATION


Why study Classical Civilisation? Do you know your Roman heroes from your Greek gods? Ever felt frustrated by your lack of knowledge of classical civilisation? Just who was Homer and where on earth was Troy? Our culture today owes so much to what we have learned from ancient Greece and Rome. Our ideas about literature, philosophy, history, politics, theatre, art and architecture have been profoundly influenced by classical civilisation. The names of the places, gods, heroes and writers of the classical world - Troy, Zeus, Achilles, Ovid – still have meaning and relevance for us. A-level Classical Civilisation gives you the exciting opportunity to discover this world for yourself.


What do I study? Year 1 (AS) Units 1 and 2: Introduction to Classical Civilisation Year 1 will engage you in two topics. This could involve the study of Greek and Roman drama, an examination of the status of women in Athens and Rome or the study of the Iliad or the Odyssey by Homer.


Year 2 (A2) Units 3 and 4: Aspects of Classical Civilisation The second year will involve the study of two further topic areas. Topics could include the study of Greek Tragedy (including Sophocles and Euripides); Socrates and Athens; the Career of Alexander and Roman Epic literature. In the past the College has organised trips abroad to Rome.


Where does Classical Civilisation take me? Classical Civilisation is a highly regarded academic subject which encourages students to develop the critical and evaluative skills which will enable them to go on to Higher Education and study a wide range of courses. It has particular value for careers in Teaching, Law, Journalism, Politics, the Media and Management. Classical Civilisation can be combined with many of the subjects offered at Palmer’s College. In particular it would complement subjects such as English Literature, History, Communication & Culture, Government & Politics, Fine Art and Drama & Theatre Studies.


What do I need? You do not need to have studied a classical subject previously or to have any knowledge of classical Greek or Latin. You should be an enthusiastic reader. A keen interest in Literature, History or Drama would be an advantage. You need to have achieved a grade C in GCSE English Language. With a clear emphasis on essay writing, discussion and analysis, the course offers opportunities for ambitious students to further their academic skills and broaden their educational and intellectual experience.


COMMUNICATION & CULTURE


Why study Communication & Culture? Have you ever wondered why people will not look at each other in crowded lifts? Why do we like some accents and not others? Why did they create an artificial lake next to our local shopping centre? Why is classical music taken more seriously than pop music even though many more people listen to pop songs? Communication & Culture is a wide and varied subject which examines how people communicate face-to-face, how people communicate through the mass media and even through the design of the buildings we use.


There is particular emphasis on how we form our personal identity through our communication with others and through the culture we consume. And don’t be put off by the word “culture” which many people think refers only to higher forms of art like opera and ballet. Culture is about all aspects of our lifestyle that make us distinctive including the music we listen to, the TV programmes and films we watch, the buildings we inhabit and visit and even the clothes we wear.


What do I study? The AS places emphasis on personal communication and how different forms of culture are valued. Personal communication looks at issues such as how we use body language in conversations, how we form our self image and how we behave in groups.


Year 1 (AS) Unit 1: Understanding Communication & Culture This unit explores how people communicate face-to-face and the value attached to different aspects of our lifestyle or culture. Assessment is by written examination.


27 PALMER’S COLLEGE PROSPECTUS


Unit 2: The Individual and Contemporary Culture In this coursework unit you will have the chance to investigate an area of personal communication such as the importance of accents and dialects in how we perceive people, or the importance of body image to our self esteem. You will also explore an aspect of cultural communication such as the importance of popular music in people’s lives. In the final coursework component, you will be required to produce a multimedia presentation about yourself showing how communication and culture has influenced your identity.


Year 2 (A2) The second year develops the themes of personal communication and culture. As in the first year, one unit is assessed by written examination and one unit is assessed as coursework, which will involve the production of communication in multimedia formats.


Where does Communication & Culture take me? There is a large and growing range of Higher Education courses in Communication & Cultural Studies and other related courses such as Media and Social Psychology. It is accepted as an entry qualification for other degree courses. The emphasis on personal communication makes Communication & Culture relevant to any career in which you have to deal with people.


What do I need? In terms of personal qualities, you will need the ability to research and work independently as 50% of your final grade is based on coursework. You will also need to be prepared to discuss opinions and present work in a variety of IT formats.


COMPUTING (not to be taken with Applied ICT)


Why study Computing? The course aims to give you a technical understanding of how computers and software work. The course is split into two main components:


• the theory of computer systems and software involves you learning and understanding how computer hardware works and communicates and how large applications are designed and developed.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76