The Classics Department
Stowe's Classics Department aims to share the delights of the classical world with as many as possible. It does this by emphasising traditional academic rigour, including linguistic accuracy and learning, along with an eagerness to enhance teaching with modern methods, such as ICT. The Classical Society has a programme of visiting speakers and also arranges visits to plays, museums and archaeological sites in the UK, and trips abroad to Greece and Italy.
Head of Department: Mr Michael Bevington
Classical Greek GCSE
If we inherit most of our culture and language from the Romans, they in turn derived theirs mainly from the Greeks. Within a few centuries the Greeks invented the origins of almost all our western culture. The key to understanding this is their language and literature.
The elegance, flexibility and precision of the Greek language make it highly enjoyable and rewarding to learn, while the stories read for GCSE can include some of the powerful myths, the exciting adventures of Odysseus' epic voyage or some part of their turbulent history. Like Latin, the GCSE now provides vocabulary lists in advance, so the examination is fully manageable for those prepared to learn.
Half of the exam is based on language work, using the defined vocabulary list. The other half involves reading a short piece of poetry and a short piece of prose writing which are prepared beforehand, or topics from Greek Civilisation.
Greek combines excellently with Latin, as well as all other subjects. Greek at GCSE, AS and A Level gives great standing academically and opens up some of the best classics courses at university. It is a highly enjoyable subject which will appeal to those who like intellectual challenges and rewards.
Latin GCSE and Level 2
OCR GCSE
For the OCR GCSE examination in Latin you take two straightforward papers covering the language. There are translations and comprehensions using the words in the vocabulary list, meaning that you can score well if you are prepared to learn vocabulary carefully and apply the grammar you know. The other two parts are short stories and poems from the Roman world allowing you to study some of the wonderful literature at greater depth. This will suit those who like the literature and planning to continue Latin to AS Level.
WJEC Level 2
In recent years we have offered the new Level 2 exam provided by WJEC as an alternative to GCSE. Those who have studied for it have appreciated its straightforwards approach where a thorough knowledge of the vocabulary and the grammar can help you to score high marks. It allows you to concentrate on the translation and comprehension of the language, reading a variety of stories in preparation, rather than memorising the two set texts of the OCR GCSE.
Benefits of Latin
Latin still provides one of the very best opportunities to develop skills in literature and language. It gives a marvellous insight into how other European languages work and the foundations of our European culture. So it is ideal for those interested in law, languages, history, literature or philosophy. It is also brilliant for improving powers of analysis; many of the greatest scientists and mathematicians have valued their Latin as the best possible intellectual training. As such it will enhance a Stoic's way of thinking and use of words for the rest of their life.
Latin at GCSE is an excellent preparation for the AS and A Level courses in Latin and Classical Greek. There are growing numbers and varied degree courses at universities too.
Latin and Greek A Level
To the surprise of some non-classicists, Latin and Greek at A Level and Degree Level have not only retained their popularity amazingly well in recent years, but classical scholarship in both the UK, Europe and especially the USA has never been more vigorous and exciting. From outstanding computer programmes to reconstructions of Greek triremes, classical scholars have been revolutionising our means of studying the twin foundations of our European civilisation. At its heart, of course, remains the linguistic knowledge necessary to read Greek and Latin texts in the original, with all the literary and intellectual skills that this requires and develops.
The AS and A Level examinations are also adapting to the new ways of studying the languages. Composition into Latin or Greek is optional and there are vocabulary lists for unseen translation at AS. Nevertheless the language will appeal primarily to those who have already gained a good grade at GCSE and enjoy a rewarding challenge.
The AS and A2 examinations each consist of two units. Half the units are based on set texts, with a growing emphasis on understanding the context and background of the literature as well as its translation and critical appreciation. The other units are language papers with appropriate help in vocabulary. Latin makes an excellent combination with almost any other A Level. Traditionally English, French, History and Mathematics have been the most usual, but Art, Physics and Chemistry have also been combined with it in recent years at Stowe. Greek is usually available by special arrangement in any of the four columns and can thus be taken with any other subject.
Both Oxford and Cambridge offer some of the largest and most varied classics degree courses in the world. Many other universities in the UK and elsewhere provide a similarly wide range of excellent classical courses. Latin and Greek, however, also provide an obvious basis from which to start a degree in, for example, Law, Philosophy or Theology. A degree in the classical languages is, of course, still regarded very highly by employers. Classicists tend to enter as broad a spectrum of careers as any other arts graduates, including Accountancy, Business, Teaching, Law, the Services, Government Departments, the Media, the Ordained Ministry and even, for a few, Professional Sport.