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Subject Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs J. Champness.

Objectives

To provide students with a knowledge and appreciation of selected areas of classical Greek civilisation.
To encourage students to make comparisons between classical civilisation and contemporary New Zealand.
To provide learning experiences in different types of subject information, evidence and argument.

Content

Year 12 Classical Studies focuses on ancient Greece, specifically Athens in the 5th century BC.
For the external standards, students will be studying The Tragedy of Antigone (ideas and values), and Athens in the Fifth Century BC (social and political history). These topics will also be useful for the internally assessed standards.
Internal assessment topics will include the analysis of a significant event, e.g. the political reforms of Cleisthenes, and the influence of the classical world on other cultures, e.g. analysing the influence of Greek architecture on modern buildings. A special topic of study on Greek Architecture (the architecture of the Acropolis in Athens) will be taught before internal assessment is completed. Internal assessment topics may change.
Advanced reading skills and analysis are requirements of the course. Texts include history, philosophy and politics at an advanced level, including works by Aristotle and Sophocles.

Subject Overview

Term 1
Citizenship and Society in Classical Athens.
Through examining the key concepts of citizenship, power, participation, roles and responsibilities and checks and balances, students will explore how the Athenian state worked, and how the people who lived in the state contributed to its success.
Internal: 91202 (2.3) Demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world (Internal, 4 credits) based on the reforms of Solon or Cleisthenes.
External: 91203 (2.4) Examine socio-political life in the classical world (External, 6 credits).

Term 2
Athenian Architecture Special Study.
Students will investigate selected buildings on the Acropolis in Athens: The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaia.
Students will develop an understanding of the architectural and artistic styles of the Ancient Greeks; the buildings’ reflection of ideals and beauty, aesthetic impact, form and function, style, techniques, and the social/historical/ mythological context.
Internal: 91204 (2.5) Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between aspects of the classical world and aspects of other cultures (Internal, 6 credits), through demonstrating the influence of Greek architecture on other cultures by comparing the classical Greek buildings with the Auckland War Memorial Museum. There is a class trip to the Museum for this internal assessment.

Term 3
The Tragedy of Antigone.
Students will read one of the most famous ancient Greek plays, Antigone by Sophocles. Antigone will be analysed to discuss ideas and values of classical Athens as communicated through literary texts.
External: 91200 (2.1) Examine ideas and values of the classical world (External, 4 credits).

Term 4
Revision and Exam Preparation.

Social Sciences Assessment Policy & Procedures

Recommended Prior Learning

Year 12 English requirements. An interest in history, literature, politics, philosophy and classical civilisations an advantage.

Subject and Associated Costs

Course Costs: Nil.
Associated Costs: Approx. $20.00 for the Auckland War Memorial Museum trip to study the Museum’s Greek architectural features.

Career Pathways

Assessment Information

Year 13 Classical Studies Guideline(s):
At least 3 Achievement Standards in NCEA Level 2 English or History, or Head of Faculty permission.
At least 12 credits in Level 2 Classical Studies, or Head of Faculty permission.