Matthew Barr

The only exam-board approved book for OCR's Greek AS and A-Level set text prescriptions for examination 2026–28 giving full Greek text, commentary and vocabulary and a detailed introduction for each text that also covers the prescription to be read in English for A Level. The texts covered are:AS and A Level Groups 1 & 3Herodotus, Histories, Book 7: 207–226 Plato, Crito 43a–48dHomer, Odyssey, Book 16: 201–451 Sophocles, Electra 1–85 and 254–416A Level Groups 2 & 4Herodotus, Histories, Book 8: 6–26Plato, Crito 48d–endLucian, Charon 1–5, 15–­21Homer, Odyssey, Book 22: 1–238Sophocles, Electra 516–763Aristophanes, Birds 1–259Supporting resources are available on the Companion Website: https://bloomsbury.pub/OCReditions-2026-2028.

This book explores the efficacy of game-based learning to develop university students’ skills and competencies. While writing on game-based learning has previously emphasised the use of games developed specifically for educational purposes, this book fills an important gap in the literature by focusing on commercial games such as World of Warcraft and Minecraft. Underpinned by robust empirical evidence, the author demonstrates that the current negative perception of video games is ill-informed, and in fact these games can be important tools to develop graduate skills related to employability. Speaking to very current concerns about the employability of higher education graduates and the skills that university is intended to develop, this book also explores the attitudes to game-based learning as expressed by instructors, students and game developers.

This book explores the efficacy of game-based learning to develop university students’ skills and competencies. While writing on game-based learning has previously emphasised the use of games developed specifically for educational purposes, this book fills an important gap in the literature by focusing on commercial games such as World of Warcraft and Minecraft. Underpinned by robust empirical evidence, the author demonstrates that the current negative perception of video games is ill-informed, and in fact these games can be important tools to develop graduate skills related to employability. Speaking to very current concerns about the employability of higher education graduates and the skills that university is intended to develop, this book also explores the attitudes to game-based learning as expressed by instructors, students and game developers.

This textbook is endorsed by OCR and supports the specification for A-Level Classical Civilisation (first teaching September 2017). It covers Components 32 and 33 from the 'Beliefs and Ideas' Component Group:Love and Relationships by Matthew Barr and Alastair ThorleyPolitics of the Late Republic by Lucy CresswellHow was love interpreted and explained by the poets and philosophers of the ancient world? Why was Julius Caesar assassinated? How can we get to the intention behind the rhetoric of ancient sources? This book raises these and other key questions. A-Level students and their teachers will encounter ancient answers to issues ranging from sexuality and the impact of desire to the power of personality in politics. Such important and controversial themes can be examined through the prism of the ancient world. The ideal preparation for the final examinations, all content is presented by experts and experienced teachers in a clear and accessible narrative. Ancient literary and visual sources are described and analysed, with supporting images. Helpful student features include study questions, quotations from contemporary scholars, further reading, and boxes focusing in on key people, events and terms. Practice questions and exam guidance prepare students for assessment. A Companion Website is available at www.bloomsbury.com/class-civ-as-a-level.