Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/2CLA

Level 2 Classical Studies 2019

Classical Studies is the study of Ancient Greece and Rome. It is a "multi-disciplinary" subject. This means that it looks at many things including archaeology, history, literature, & philosophy.

You do not need to have studied classical studies before to pick it up. A strong background in history, geography, or art history is advantageous. Enthusiasm is usually the most important ingredient for success.

Why Study Classics?

Classical studies trains you to read difficult primary texts and to think about them critically. It is based around core thinking skills & will significantly develop your ability to communicate persuasively & with clear purpose in speech or on paper.

Classical studies is an ideal subject for careers involving a high level of critical thinking & literacy skills, including law, policy, or journalism.

Classical Studies is a University Entrance Approved Subject

All level 2 Classical Studies standards count towards university literacy requirements for reading.
All level 2 External Classical Studies standards count towards university literacy requirements for writing.

10 Internal Credits are Available
10 External Credits are Available

What topics will we study?

Semester 1: Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

How did the eruption of Mount Vesuvius impact the Ancient world. We also take a look at how the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum have helped us in the modern era to better understand how the ancient Romans lived and look more closely into the things they influenced. Students will learn to look critically at ancient text and also learn how to better interpret primary sources.

Semester 2: Culture through stories.

Mythology is the study of a culture through its stories. In this unit we will examine the great stories of Greek mythology. We will have two areas of focus: how mythic stories reflect ideas & values of the classical world & how these myths have influenced other cultures. We will all learn about the legendary ancient stories as first recorded by Homer, The Odyssey. You will also be able to undertake a special project on how myths have influenced other cultures. This includes myths & their influence on comics, games, or movies; We will look at these through the lens of adaption of the Hero.
Semester 3: Ancient Roman History

Ancient History is the study of events in the past. In this unit we will explore ancient Roman society. You will learn about different social classes (patricians, plebeians, slaves) and how their political system worked. In particular we will focus on the death of the Roman Republic and the role of Augustus, the first emperor of Rome.

Internal Assessment Opportunities 10 credits

AS91202
Demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world
4 Credits
This internal is based around building key skills in classical studies on the archeology of Pompeii & Herculaneum. In Pompeii you will find charred remains of bodies, preserved art & architecture, and amusing graffiti. In the fall of the Roman republic you will find out about the ruthless nature of Roman politics. You will learn how to analyse & interpret primary source material, how to think critically, and how to communicate your understanding. Due: TBA

AS91204
Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between aspects of
the classical world and aspects of other cultures
6 Credits
This internal involves looking at how the classical world has shaped modern media, including games, movies, & graphic novels. We will examine Homers Odyssey. We will look at the evolution of the Hero, Odysseus was a typical Greek Hero, do these traits carry onto our culture and if so how? Students will compare Odysseus with another literary hero of their choice. from Harry Potter to Captain America to Katniss Everden, How big of an impact did this classical text have on modern literary heroes. You will develop abstract thinking skills & the ability to develop an argument.
Due TBA

External Assessment Opportunities 10 Credits

AS91200
4 Credits
Examine ideas and values of the classical world
You can explore the legendary adventures of Odysseus as he fends of gods & monsters on his journey home.

AS91203
6 Credits
Examine socio-political life in the classical world

You can explore life in ancient Rome. We look at citizenship, culture, political life, & conflict as key themes. In the fall of the Roman republic you will find out about the ruthless nature of Roman politics

What Standards Can I Enter?

Core Program

NCEA Level	Standard Number	Name of Standard	Version Number	Credits	Reading	Writing	Assessment
Level 2	AS91202	Classical Studies 2.3: Demonstrate understanding of a significant event in the classical world	Version 3	4 Credits	Yes	No	Internal
Level 2	AS91204	Classical Studies 2.5: Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between aspects of the classical world and aspects of other cultures	Version 2	6 Credits	Yes	No	Internal
Level 2	AS91200	Classical Studies 2.1: Examine ideas and values of the classical world	Version 2	4 Credits	Yes	Yes	External
Level 2	AS91203	Classical Studies 2.4: Examine socio-political life in the classical world	Version 2	6 Credits	Yes	Yes	External

Vocational Pathways provide a framework for students to show how their learning and achievement is valued in the workplace by aligning learning to the skills needed for industry.  Follow this link to see the profile for this course.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have studied classical studies before?
No. The majority of students who take classical studies have not taken it before. However, being a strong reader is very beneficial. Solid research and writing skills are also important. In particular, history, art history, & geography are useful subjects (not English).

Is there lots of reading and writing?
There is a significant amount of reading and it is often difficult ancient texts in translation. You will also focus on developing strong writing skills (quality not quantity) through a focus on expository essays.

What if there is something I am really interested in but it is not offered?
In classical studies, every student has the opportunity to "break out" if they choose to. This means that if there is a topic that you really want to do, you can negotiate with Nic to see if it fits well with the assessment and if we can provide appropriate resources.

Welcome to Classical Studies!
If you have any questions contact Katherine Mathis kmathis@ashs.school.nz