Advanced Ancient History CICERO Tue p.m.

Service Description

Ideal for students who want to gain a deeper and more complex understanding of Greek and Roman history. This course will prepare students for the next level of study, refining their knowledge of the subject and developing critical thinking and analytical skills along the way. This topic will explore some of the the writing and ideas of CICERO, looking particularly at his letters, written to friends, family, colleagues and other leading figures of the time, which give us a fascinating first-hand insight into the end of the Roman Republic. His surviving letters include those written to Julius Caesar, and the assassins of Caesar, as well as his private thoughts of events written to friends and family. We will also look at some of his philosophical ideas, and how they influenced humanism and Renaissance thinking. The group will be limited to 6 students to ensure opportunities for rich discussion and to enable adequate support and feedback for each student. Topic 3: CICERO letters and ideas 1. Cicero: his philosophy, and its effect on Rome, humanism and the Renaissance 2. Historical insights from Cicero's letters 3. Political machinations: what was going on behind the scenes 4. Cicero's complex relationship with Julius Caesar 5 Letters following Caesar's assassination: an insight into the aftermath 6. Debate and analysis on a selection of Cicero's writing This is a 30-week course, but you can sign up for 6 weeks at a time, or only to a single 6-week block if you prefer. Each 6-week block of classes will explore one large topic, and include discussion and debate, as well as recommended reading to do between sessions. In this way students can develop their research and analysis skills as well as their knowledge of the subject area. There will be optional written work for each topic, which helps students to continue their exploration of the topic independently, as well as sharpening their writing skills. This course aims to support students working at GCSE+ level. Students working outside the traditional UK system can use this course to earn high school credit by fulfilling (optional) coursework. This will include reading and short pieces of written work.