Westlake Boys High School
Level 2 Classical Studies
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms E. Wilson.
Level 2 Classical Studies
Classical Studies investigates how the Ancient Greeks and Romans lived, what they believed, and continue to influence us today. As an interdisciplinary subject: students taking Classical Studies engage with literature, languages, art, history, science, technology, religion, and philosophy. Y12 Classical Studies focuses on the Greeks, from myths and gods; to the historical Persian Wars including the battles Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis; conflict of citizen duties in Greek theatrical tragedy; to social life as well as ideas and values evidenced in Greek art, like the Discobolus, (discus thrower), and the politics of Pericles as revealed in architecture such as the Parthenon. Students explore community, cultural identity, values, and perspectives and think critically about human behaviour and relationships to appreciate the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome, understand the past and the present, and to imagine possible futures.
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, 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 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 the 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 the influence of the classical world on the Architecture of Auckland, in which student will compare a 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.
Entry Criteria
Level 2 Classical Studies is an open-entry course for all students. Students need to have strong literacy skills and enjoy reading and writing. It is recommended that students have an interest in either History or English, architecture, politics, society, and culture.
Students must also meet the requirements to study for 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.
Pathway
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for NCEA Course Endorsement.
External
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 2.1 - Examine ideas and values of the classical world
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 2.2 - Examine the significance of features of work(s) of art in the classical world
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 2.3 - Demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between aspects of the classical world and aspects of other cultures
Disclaimer
Course selection does not guarantee a course will be available or that you have approval to take a course. Final course confirmation is in January and depends on your final results and in rare cases, staff availability.
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