S-CLA

Scholarship Classical Studies

Subject Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs J. Champness.

Students in 13 Classical Studies have the option of working towards the Scholarship Classical Studies exam.   

Scholarship Classical Studies involves looking at important and interesting ideas in greater depth.  Students are expected to analyse these ideas, and develop their own arguments (supported by evidence).  

"The student will use knowledge of classical studies to demonstrate their ability to think critically about the ideas and values of the classical world. They will communicate their understanding through the use of primary and secondary source evidence in a range of integrated contexts, which may include history, literature, philosophy, architecture and / or art." NZQA Scholarship Performance Descriptor. 

Past topics have included:

Alexander the Great

  • The genius or luck of Alexander the Great.
  • How susceptible Alexander was to flattery.
  • Whether Alexander was pursuing an empire or conquest.
  • Standards in Alexander the Great's life.
  • Whether Alexander was a destroyer or creating a positive legacy.
  • How much Alexander was in control of himself during his conquests.

Greek Vase Painting

  • Depictions of women and male control. 
  • Pose, drapery and emotion.
  • Realism in paintings.
  • The choice of myths depicted on vases.
  • Judging the success of artists' depictions of depth.
  • The symposium as a subject for vase painting.

Assessment Information

The examination will have two sections.

Candidates will answer TWO questions from section A and the ONE question from section B.
Section A: Candidates must select two contexts from this list
• Alexander the Great (Covered in the Year 13 Course).
• Athenian vase painting (Covered in the Year 13 course during The Trojan War in Art topic).
• Augustus.
• Homer's Iliad.
• Roman art and architecture.
• Virgil's Aeneid.
For each context, there will be TWO questions, from which candidates must choose ONE. Candidates are expected to answer in essay format.

Section B: Candidates will be required to analyse and interpret unfamiliar sources of evidence (extracts and images provided in a separate resource booklet) in relation to the theme interactions between gods and mortals (this is referred to in most topics across Years 12 and 13). Candidates must answer the question with reference to either ancient Greece or ancient Rome. Candidates are expected to answer in paragraph or essay format.

This is a physical exam, where students are expected to write their responses by hand. At present, there is no digital option.

Disclaimer

It is important that you complete your option selection by the due date to enable you to have your preferred course of study. Course availability is dependent on numbers and staffing, and course entry will be confirmed at the beginning of the school year.