by Rea Duxbury
The National Extension College (NEC) is a pioneer of online and distance
learning, existing to transform lives through education.
Our
online A level Classical Civilisation and Latin: A Course for Beginners enable learners of any age and background the
opportunity to access tutor-supported courses. Students are able to step back
in time to explore the Greco-Roman world wherever they are and at any time,
widening access to these dynamic subjects.
A
level Classical Civilisation
Students
enrolled on A level Classical Civilisation with NEC study poetry, plays, comedy
and themes such as cults, rituals and religion. Along the way, they make fascinating
connections to the politics, culture and society of ancient Greece and Rome.
Homer’s
Odyssey, Vergil’s Aeneid and the works of Euripides,
Sophocles and Aristophanes transport students to the ancient world.
NEC
student Julia: “Classical Civilisation A level wasn’t offered by the last school I
went to...It’s down to NEC that I was able to go to university, and that I
studied the subject I have loved since being a child...I’m sure my life would
have taken a very different course without NEC.” - Julia went on to
study for a BA in Classical and Archaeological studies with French at the
University of Kent. She then completed a Masters in Ancient History at King’s
College London.
Through
this course, students make an informed analysis of the issues and values that
shaped classical civilisation. They learn how to develop and present coherent,
well-evidenced arguments and also sharpen their analytical and critical
thinking, skills that are vital for higher education and the workplace.
NEC
students achieved a 100% pass rate in A level Classical Civilisation in 2019,
with 25% of students achieving an A* or A grade.
Studying
A level Classical Civilisation opens up a wide range of opportunities. Many of
our students go on to study a classics course or other subjects at university
and pursue varied career paths.
NEC
student Miranda studied Classics at the University of Cambridge and then an MSc
in the Evolution of Language and Cognition at the University of Edinburgh. She
says: “What my educational journey has taught me is that life is not limiting
in terms of what you can learn and how you can go about learning it. Further,
the need to work does not inhibit study if you choose the right support
networks. NEC has, thus far, been the best institution to understand this.”
Latin:
A Course for Beginners
NEC’s
‘Latin: A Course for Beginners’ enables students to develop their language
skills and read Latin texts in their original.
Students on the course are given
the opportunity to study and translate extracts of texts originally written in
Latin; these sources include extracts from the Aeneid by Virgil, letters written by Caesar, fables by Phaedrus and
a ghost story from the Letters of Pliny.
Working with these extracts gives students a true sense of the language and,
coupled with the additional background topics on Roman history, provide a rich
beginning to a fascinating area of study.
NEC
tutor Ed: “Learning Latin (and Greek) and being able to read the literature in
the original has been the most rewarding and enriching experience of my life.
If you’re interested in literature, of any kind, literature that excites the
imagination, strikes awe into the soul and invites you into some of the most
fantastic minds ever to record their thoughts in words, it’s all there. Virgil,
Catullus, Cicero, Tacitus, Livy: these are incomparable writers...but by heaven
when you know the original you see so much more...So, if you want a
challenging, intellectually satisfying, life-enhancing opportunity, studying
Latin is it.” - Ed is our lead tutor in Economics, Classical
Civilisation and Latin. Ed studied Classics at Trinity College Dublin and then
at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge, where he conducted research into the
narrative technique of Greek epic; he later studied economics and linguistics
at the Open University.
Latin is also a
springboard for students to understand other subjects more deeply:
Humanities - studying Latin helps
students gain a deeper understanding of the English language, with Shakespeare
and Milton drawing extensively on their knowledge of Latin literature.
Moreover, the foundational ideas of history, philosophy and theology are often
based on works written in Latin.
Other
languages
- students wanting to progress to study other languages find Latin a great
option as it is the root of European languages such as French and Spanish.
Showing an aptitude for languages through Latin extends to computing, where programming languages are used.
Law - not only do many
legal terms derive from Latin but by studying the subject, students showcase
their ability to analyse information and learn a new language.
Medicine - like law, much medical terminology derives from Latin, enabling students to understand the
roots of words they come across.
Art - an understanding of the
artworks of the ancient world is enhanced through knowledge of Latin. A
pairing of arts and languages can prepare students for work in conservation and
curation, or aid their travel experiences.
The ancient Greeks and
Romans created a legacy that has shaped literature, language, arts, politics
and philosophy. We are proud to be able to offer Classical Civilisation and
Latin to learners across the UK and beyond.
About the National
Extension College
Co-founded in 1963 by
Michael Young as a forerunner for the Open University, NEC is a long-standing
independent educational charity.
NEC provides both a
solution for schools wanting to maintain a broader curriculum and for adults
and young people wanting to engage in lifelong learning.
Features of studying
with NEC include: flexibility, personal tutorial support, bespoke course
materials and an exam booking service.
Rea Duxbury is Marketing & Research Assistant for the National Extension College
