SchoolPoint Login / Westlake Boys High School / Course Selection / Student Voice / Student Conferences / Inbox Design

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr N. Crotty.

Level 2 Classical Studies

Classical Studies investigates the roots of western culture and how the Ancient Greeks and Romans lived, what they believed and how they differ from us, and what we owe them. Y12 focuses on the Greeks, from myths and gods, such as in the Trojan War; to the historical Persian Wars including the battles Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis; Sparta versus Athens; daily life; conflict of citizen duties in Greek theatrical tragedy; to social life as well as ideas and values evidenced in Greek art and architecture, like the Discobolus thrower, and the politics of Perikles as revealed in buildings such as the Parthenon. Students make the connections between different subject areas by studying classical civilisation through its art, politics, history, drama and literature.

Course Overview

Term 1
Brief Introduction to the ANCIENT GREEKS

An overview of Greek history and culture, including myths, legends, leaders and events.

THE PERSIAN WARS

A survey of Greek political and military history from the time of Homeric kings to Periclean democracy, including hoplite and trireme warfare, the Spartans versus Athenians, with emphasis upon Greeks and the West versus Persians and the East - with particular focus on the Battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis during the epic Persian Wars.

In “East verusu West: Conflict” assignment evidence and its limitations is discussed and used to place the fighting in context and insightfully explain the significance of the selected battles.

Term 2
GREEK Life as shown through ART & ARCHITECTURE

An in class overview of selected sculpture and public architecture of the Greeks from time of Homer (c.750BC) to the Peloponnesian War (431-404BC) with particular reference to major 5th Century BC “Classical” works from Athens. These form the basis of Western visual culture. Evidence is examined to understand historical and artistic context, explain function and features, patterns and themes, and appreciate cultural expectations & aesthetic ideals of beauty.

Directed and independent research plus a field trip on “Architecture for Arts sake” for 2.5, in which you will compare a famous neo-classical Auckland building with ancient Classical Greek buildings on the Acropolis in Athens, and perceptively use evidence to explain similarities and differences, while exploring cultural expectations, codes of behaviour, ideas and values.

Term 3
GREEK values and ideas as shown in the tragic play ANTIGONE by Sophocles.

We explore Sophocles’ play Antigone (first performed in about the year 441 BC in Athens) with reference to the conventions of Greek tragic theatre, including structure, plot and characters of the poem, religion and the role of the gods, gender roles, leadership, and the themes of the hero, hubris (pride), the power of the polis (state) versus the beliefs of the individual, and what constitutes tragedy. Students will examine, using primary evidence (including from the play), the cultural-religious-social-historical-political context of the play, and perceptively explain cultural expectations, codes of behaviour, ideas and values of fifth century Athenians during the time of Pericles’ leadership.

Term 4
REVISION and practice for the external examination.

Social Sciences

Entry Criteria

This course is open entry for all students. Level 2 Classics is an open entry course. It is recommended that students have an interest in either History or English, society or culture, or perhaps wonder where did that originate.

Students must also meet the requirements to study a Level 2 NCEA Award.

Equipment/Stationery and Course Costs

This course makes significant use of digital learning material at various times during the year. It is advantageous for a student to have a laptop during these times. Some learning activities, including assessments, will not be able to be completed without a laptop. There is a local one day field trip, which usually costs around $14.