A Level Classical Civilisation

[crazycrofter]

Just after opinions please on what this A Level is like, what skills are needed, how hard it is etc.

DD’s best and favourite subjects are History, Geography and RS. She started Latin GCSE but dropped it at the start of year 11 because she found the grammar too hard but previously liked the Greeks/Romans. She definitely wants to do Psychology A Level and possibly pursue it as a career (we know she doesn’t have to do the A Level to do the degree but she really likes the sound of it - and would otherwise need to do a science A Level).

She needs to choose between two grammar schools (assuming she gets the grades etc). One she could do any combination of subjects so she would probably do Hist/Geog/Psych. RS may take the place of Geography.

This combination isn’t possible at the other (nearer) grammar and they don’t offer RS. But she could do Psych, either Hist or Geog plus Classical Civilisation.

How much like English is it in terms of the literature side? Would the history element of it involve similar skills to History A Level?

@crazycrofter DS1 took classciv at A level - albeit five/six years ago. He also did History and English Lit, plus Geography. The first two are obviously a really good fit. AS levels were still around when he was in sixth form, so classciv was originally the fourth option but he ended up taking it all the way. The syllabus may of course have changed a bit now and no doubt some other MNers will come along with more info.

DD is currently doing Eng Lit, History and Class Civ (OCR Board).

Her view is that Class Civ takes some components from both Eng Lit and History, but that it is also it's own individual subject, and has a slightly different emphasis on how it approaches content and essay writing.

For example, the Class Civ Literature component doesn't involve as much language dissection as Eng Lit, but does require understanding and explanation of themes. They do cover a number of plays and myths and legends. They are also studying Classical Theatre, which encompasses social history. Themore historical part of Class Civ is yet to be decided but may be something along the lines of "Athenian Democracy" or religion, or something more towards social and political history.

DD loves it.