What is it?
Ancient history investigates Ancient Rome and Greece. From the campaigns of Alexander the Great to Caesar’s assassination, you will come face-to-face with history’s biggest winners and greatest losers.
Why study this subject at Blackpool Sixth?
The study of classics through ancient history is well respected by universities and employers and combines with a wide range of subjects. Recent visits have included Chester, Athens, and Rome. We also have regular visits from top academics and TV historians.
What skills will I develop?
Written and oral communication, broad subject which can be combined with others, analysis and evaluation of ancient texts, cultural understanding, critical and logical thinking, use of literature
How will I be taught?
Wide range of teaching and learning styles are used including: group work; paired work; e-learning including Google drive, Google classroom, youtube, kahoot and twitter; visual learning using artifacts and sculpture / art.
How will I be assessed?
100% exam
Teacher expertise
Experienced teachers are external examiners on this course. Award nominated course. Peter Wright awarded TES ”outstanding teacher of the year’.
Field trips, projects and employability opportunities
Rome and Pompeii Athens and Delphi Chester Liverpool University / Egyptology; Warwick University ancient drama visit Oxford North archaeology annual work experience placements; recent guest speakers have included: Dr. Michael Scott, Professor Michael Wood, Dr. Glenn Godenho.
Where does it lead?
Ancient history (classical civilisation) prepares you for a wide range of university courses including ancient history, modern history and literature. The skills developed allow students to follow careers in teaching, tourism and heritage, local government and business. Former student success: Lynette Parkinson – archeologist, Luke Clayton – marine archeologist, Michael Wright – Speaker’s Office, House of Commons; Sarah Kirkham – Cataloging Assistant at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, Jordan Withers, World health Organisation (WHO).
Specific requirements
Grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred (you do not need to have studied history before).
Equipment
None specific required.
Examination board
OCR.
What will I study?
Module One – Collapse of the Roman Republic Investigate the collapse of the Roman Republic through the eyes of Marcus Tullius Cicero. Learn about the life and wars of Julius Caesar. Explore the key events leading to the rise of Rome’s first emperor, Augustus Caesar. Cicero’s life coincides with one of the bloodiest periods of Roman history. Use the words of Cicero to gain an understanding into how Rome fell into civil war, how Caesar was assassinated, and how a young man named Octavian finally killed the Republic.
Module Two – Roman Emperors: The Julio-Claudians Learn about the man who killed the Republic and became Rome’s first ‘emperor’, Octavian – rebranded, Augustus. You will use a range of propaganda, from forums to statues, to investigate how Augustus created the Julio-Claudian dynasty of Roman emperors. Use the works of Roman writers to analyse the first Roman Emperors: Was Tiberius a paranoid and cruel ruler? Was Caligula insane? Did Nero live up to his reputation as a blood-soaked tyrant?
Module Three – Greeks and Barbarians Travel back to a time before Rome to study the world of Classical Greece. Use one of the first historians, Herodotus, to find out how the Greeks resisted a Persian invasion so large that its armies ‘drank rivers dry’. Analyse Athens in the aftermath of the Persian Wars and how she high-jacked an anti-Persian alliance into her own Athenian Empire. Investigate the volatile nature of Athenian politics where political ‘spin’, manipulation and control was part of the world’s first democracy…
Module Four – Alexander the Great Liberator or tyrant? Hero or murderer? Investigate a period of ancient history when a young king conquered all before him. Follow Alexander’s conquests and his most famous military victories. Examine his generous and noble but ruthless character. Learn about his ambition to outdo his father’s achievements, his belief in his own divinity and why he murdered his best friend. Battles, executions, conquests and ambition…there is only one ‘Alexandros’.
Specific Requirements
- Grade 5 in GCSE English Language is preferred (you do not need to have studied history before)