The Classical world continues to exert a powerful influence on the present day, be it through, literature, drama, architecture, film, music, language, politics, religion, philosophy and thought, visual art, or in the presence of its physical remains and objects. By focusing on its literature particularly, this course will introduce and explore texts, works, ideas, concepts and significant figures within the culture, history, geography, and against the backdrop, of the Greco-Roman and wider ancient world. Areas of interest could be Archaic Greece, Pre-Socratic and Classical philosophy, the literature of fifth-century Athens, literature of the Roman Republic/Empire, visual culture, Greek and Roman myth, literature of the Persian empire, epic poetry, Greek and Roman drama. By reading and getting closer to these we will also build connections between Classical and modern culture and the reception of that age in subsequent ones. All reading will be in English translation.
Course aim
This course will introduce students to some key disciplines within Classical Studies and some approaches related to understanding that world in how we grasp its origins and development. There will be an emphasis on reading Greek and Roman literature.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Demonstrate a wider understanding of the literature, culture and history of the ancient world
- Recognise and appreciate the impact and legacy of Classical antiquity, particularly its literature, upon our own culture
- Explain assorted theoretical and intellectual approaches, concepts and frameworks within Classical studies
- Identify the temporal/spatial chronology and geography of the Classical world, from its origins to its decline
- Recognise and comprehend an array of Classical and related contemporary texts that appertain to different cultural domains
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- You will be able to keep a digital portfolio of your work on WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
- A file of work will be kept which will help to record your progress
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- A selection of materials and basic equipment will be provided but you are welcome to bring additional materials with you
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
- You could consult both ancient and modern texts and online resources on any aspect of Classical Studies. Reading and research for learning, intellectual development and pleasure around the culture, history, literature, art and archaeology, and philosophy of the ancient world are highly encouraged.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
Download full course information sheet
