Skip to content

ANCIENT HISTORY A' LEVEL COURSE (FULL AS+A2)


ukonlinecourses

Summary

Price
£420 inc VAT
Study method
Distance learning
Duration
2 years · Self-paced
Qualification
ANCIENT HISTORY A' LEVEL
Awarded by OCR

Overview

A home distance learning course is the ideal way to gain an A' LEVEL in ANCIENT HISTORY. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning A' LEVEL ANCIENT HISTORY is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study. What's more, because the distance learning A' LEVEL ANCIENT HISTORY course is a fully comprehensive course, minimum prior knowledge is required.

We are pleased to offer the opportunity to study to AS and A2 the Ancient History A-level course as specified by OCR. The A-level has several aims:

  • To give a knowledge and understanding of the Greek and Roman ancient world through direct study of original sources.
  • To encourage and develop an enthusiasm for the Greek and Roman ancient world.
  • To give candidates the chance to form their own personal responses to the set texts chosen for study.
  • To further and enhance their historical analytical and evaluative skills through critical source examination and understanding of good historical method.

Description

Module 1 - Athenian democracy in the fifth century BC

The principal focus of this unit is the handling of original sources as an historian. Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the nature of historical evidence; the methods used by historians in analysis and evaluation including the problem of reliability and a selection of original source material in its context. Candidate should be able to demonstrate interpretation, analysis and evaluation of the sources in context.

The literary sources: 

  • Aristophanes, Acharnians – 1–203, Wasps – 891–1008, Knights – 147–395 Constitution of the Athenians 21.1–22.6, 23.4f, 22.5
  • Herodotus, 5.66, 5.69 The Old Oligarch
  • Plato, Apology 17cd, 34bc
  • Plutarch, Nicias, 11.1–6
  • Thucydides 2. 35–46, 65; 4.26–30
  • Xenophon, Recollections 3.7.6 (ARD 128)
  • Xenophon, History of Greece, 1.7 (ARD 325)

Candidates must be prepared to answer commentary questions on passages taken from any of the material prescribed above.

Module 2 - Britain in the Roman empire

The principal focus of this unit is the handling of original sources as an historian. Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the nature of historical evidence; the methods used by historians in analysis and evaluation including the problem of reliability and a selection of original source material in its context. Candidate should be able to demonstrate interpretation, analysis and evaluation of the sources in context.

The literary sources: 

  • Caesar, Gallic War 4.20–38; 5. 8–23
  • Cicero, Letters to Atticus, 4.15.10, 4.16.7, 4.18.5
  • Dio, 49.38.2, 53.22.5, 53.25.2, 55.23.2, 55.23.3, 55.23.5, 59.25.1–3, 60.19.1– 60.22.2, 60.23.1–60.23.6, 60.30.2, 62.1.1–62.3.4, 62.7.1–62.9.2, 62.12.1–62.12.6
  • Horace, Odes, 1.35.29–30, 3.5.1–4
  • SHA (Scriptores Historriae Augustae), Hadrian 5.1–5.2, 11.2, Antoninus Pius, 5.4
  • Strabo, Geography 2.5.8, 4.5.1–4
  • Suetonius, The Deified Julius, 25.125.2, 47;Caligula, 44.2, 46.1;Claudius, 13.2, 17.1–17.3, 21.6, 24.3; Nero, 18, 39.1;Vespasian, 4.1–4.2
  • Tacitus, Agricola
  • Tacitus, Annals 2.24, 11.19, 12.23, 12.31–40, 14. 29–39
  • Tacitus, Histories 1.2, 1.9, 1.59–60, 2.66, 3.44–45
  • Tibullus, 3.7.147–150 

The archaeological sources: 

  • Gold stater of Tincommius (Van Arsdell 375)
  • Gold stater of Tasciovinius (Van Arsdell 1780)
  • Silver coin of Eppillus (Van Arsdell 415)
  • Gold stater of Verica (Van Arsdell 520)
  • Gold stater of Cunobelinus (Van Arsdell 2025)
  • Gold coin of Cunobelius (Van Arsdell 2095)
  • Aureus of Claudius (RIC Claudius 9 = BMC Claudius 32)
  • Sestertius of Hadrian (RIC Hadrian 845)
  • Longinus Sdapeze (RIB 201)
  • Dannicus (RIB 108)
  • Sex. Valerius Genialis (RIB 109)
  • Rufus Sita (RIB 121)
  • M Favonius Facilis (RIB 200)
  • Julius Classicanius, procurator (RIB 12)
  • T. Valerius Pudens (RIB 258)
  • C. Calventius Celer (RIB 475)
  • Titus Pontius Sabinus (ILS 2726)
  • Arch of Claudius (ILS 216)
  • Mendip lead pig (RIB 2.1.2404.1)
  • Chester lead water-pipe (RIB 2.3.2434.1)
  • Verulamium forum inscription (JRS 46 146–7)
  • Commemorative tablet from York (RIB 665)
  • Altars to Neptune and Oceanus (RIB 1319 and 1320)
  • Milecastle 38 building inscription (RIB 1638)
  • Halton Chesters dedication slab (RIB 1427)
  • Vindolanda tablet military strength report (Tab. Vindol. 2.154)
  • Vindolanda tablet about British cavalry (Tab. Vindol. 2.164) 

Candidates must be prepared to answer commentary questions on passages taken from any the material prescribed above.

Module 3 - The culture of Athens

This unit builds on the skills that candidates have acquired in AS Units F391 and F392. Candidates will be expected to use the skills they have acquired in handling original sources at AS level and refer to these sources where appropriate. The principal focus of this unit is on the investigation of historical themes through the evaluation and interpretation of original sources in context. Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the nature of historical evidence; the methods used by historians in analysis and evaluation including the problem of reliability and a selection of original source material in its context. Candidate should be able to demonstrate interpretation, analysis and evaluation of the sources in context.

The thematic focus of this option is the cultural and intellectual life of fifth century Athens. Candidates will be expected to have read a selection of appropriate original sources on the following topics, and to refer to them in supporting their answers: the changing intellectual climate in Athens, including rhetoric, the Sophists and Socrates; dramatic festivals and the theatre, including tragedy and comedy; religious festivals and sanctuaries; Athenian views of themselves and non-Athenians, including citizens and non-citizens, women and children; and art and architecture in their political and social contexts.

Module 4 - Ruling the Roman empire 14-117 AD

This unit builds on the skills that candidates have acquired in AS Units F391 and F392. Candidates will be expected to use the skills they have acquired in handling original sources at AS level and refer to these sources where appropriate. The principal focus of this unit is on the investigation of historical themes through the evaluation and interpretation of original sources in context. Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of the nature of historical evidence; the methods used by historians in analysis and evaluation including the problem of reliability and a selection of original source material in its context. Candidate should be able to demonstrate interpretation, analysis and evaluation of the sources in context.

The thematic focus of this option is Rome’s relations with the provinces of the empire. Candidates will be expected to have studied a range of original sources on the following topics, and to refer to them in supporting their answers: attitudes to imperial rule in the eastern and western provinces, including active resistance and the maintenance of local or regional identities; the social and economic effects on provinces of incorporation within the Empire, including the question of ‘Romanisation’; the differing image of the emperor in the eastern and western provinces, including the imperial cult; the governance and administration of the Empire including the role of senators, equestrians and the army and frontier and defensive policies within the Empire.

Requirements

The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course, however a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard and basic English reading and Writing skills would prove benificial to students in order to manage their studies and the assumed knowledge within the course content.

Questions and answers

Reviews

Currently there are no reviews for this course. Be the first to leave a review.

FAQs

Study method describes the format in which the course will be delivered. At Reed Courses, courses are delivered in a number of ways, including online courses, where the course content can be accessed online remotely, and classroom courses, where courses are delivered in person at a classroom venue.

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. If you work in certain professions or for certain companies, your employer may require you to complete a number of CPD hours or points, per year. You can find a range of CPD courses on Reed Courses, many of which can be completed online.

A regulated qualification is delivered by a learning institution which is regulated by a government body. In England, the government body which regulates courses is Ofqual. Ofqual regulated qualifications sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which can help students understand how different qualifications in different fields compare to each other. The framework also helps students to understand what qualifications they need to progress towards a higher learning goal, such as a university degree or equivalent higher education award.

An endorsed course is a skills based course which has been checked over and approved by an independent awarding body. Endorsed courses are not regulated so do not result in a qualification - however, the student can usually purchase a certificate showing the awarding body's logo if they wish. Certain awarding bodies - such as Quality Licence Scheme and TQUK - have developed endorsement schemes as a way to help students select the best skills based courses for them.