Page 35 - The Sixth Form Course 2021

Entry Requirements
GCSE in Greek is required.
This A Level would suit candidates who
• Are enjoying their GCSE in Greek
• Love the mental challenges of translating a language with inflections and
grammatical rules which are often very different to our own
• Are interested in any aspects of the Greek world but especially their literature -
the great works which have come down to us make for some of the finest
literature you will ever read!
• Would like to learn more about the relevance of the Greeks to our own lives
• Want a seriously respected A Level subject on their UCAS forms and CVs
Course Content and Examinations
Greek is a heavily inflected language. The mental somersaults needed for success make for a disciplined mind and enhanced powers of analysis. But the point of all this is not just mental stimulation. Only by reading it in the original can one truly appreciate the simple beauty of Greek literature.
You will be prepared over the two years for:
• Unit 1 - unseen translation: of a prose and verse author – we will know the authors in advance so you will read a lot of their work over the course to acquire familiarity with their style, common themes and common vocabulary.
• Unit 2 - prose composition: translation of an English passage (of roughly 100 words) into Greek. Again, you will spend two years practising this skill, building up a strong base of key vocabulary and mastering the essential grammar and syntax needed for this discipline.
Greek
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Course Specification A Level ⏐ OCR H444
Head of Department ⏐ Mr D A Stephenson
• Unit 3 – prose literature: study of the work of one great author (or possibly two, each of half the length) with a view to being able to translate, comment on the style and write essays. Options change every couple of years but usual choices include Greek historians like Thucydides Xenophon and Herodotus, or the great philosopher Plato.
• Unit 4 – verse literature: as for prose literature. Usual choices include the great epic poet Homer, tragedians such as Sophocles and Euripides and the comic playwright Aristophanes.
Where could this subject take you?
Greek provides a marvellous insight into how other languages work and the foundations of European culture. Not only does it benefit linguists with keen analytical minds but it can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the classical world. So if you’re considering law, languages, history, literature or philosophy then the skills you will pick up in Greek are infinitely transferable. Greek is recognised and respected by top universities as a rigorous academic subject and will stand out on an application for any degree subject.
Good Classics graduates can end up working in pretty much anything other than Science based jobs - accountancy, marketing, teaching, law, banking and advertising to name just a few. These are just a few examples of how jobs and careers are directly benefited by a good Classics degree.