Marlborough Boys’ College
NCEA L3 Classical Studies
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Ms B. Leitupo.
The influence of the classical world is everywhere. Whether it be Nike shoes, democracy, the law, language, religion, art and architecture, the Olympics, mythology, comedy and drama… the classics are foundational to western thought and culture.
Classics is the ultimate multi-disciplinary subject. You will learn about art, history, drama, engineering and archaeology. You will be challenged to face the major problems the ancients and moderns have faced: war, politics and religion, resistance to unjust leaders- civil disobedience, hospitality abuse, how to handle grumpy old men and more.
We discuss similarities and differences between Aotearoa and antiquity and gain insight into our own times.
The way the Greeks and Romans responded to the major concerns of their day “challenge, inspire and resonate with us now.”
There are only two topics we cover in Year 13. Each topic covers one internal assessment and one external assessment. They are:
The Aeneid - We look at this Roman Epic Poem, written by Virgil and commissioned by Julius Caesar. We explore the Greek counterparts and hear of the Trojan War through the eyes of the Trojan's themselves. We explore the history of Rome and the founding fathers, as well as explore the ideas and values of Ancient Rome and how much they impacted the rule of Julius Caesar and his family.
For the internal assessment topic, we explore the storytelling convention of katabasis, and its use in The Aeneid, as well as through the modern film 'Up'.
Alexander The Great - The leader who really did change to world forever. Our study focuses on his leadership and the challenges he faced in administering his vast empire. He may have only lived a short life, but he lived it to the max.
For the internal assessment, we also explore his Policy of Fusion and its impact it had on the Macedonians and Greeks, and its failed attempt to bring nations together under one rule.
Course Overview
Term 1
The Aeneid - Reading and listening to the text by Virgil. We explore the use of katabasis, storytelling convention in the book and compare this to the film 'Up'.
We will sit the internal assessment during this term as well.
Term 2
The Aeneid continued. We will explore themes, characters, political propaganda and the Roman ideas and values explored in the epic poem.
Alexander the Great. - We quickly cover the events of his short life before turning our attention to the question of how to rule a vast empire when your only experience has been running a backwater called Macedon. His was a pragmatic solution, which did not necessarily go down well with his fellow Macedonians.
Internal assessment: Alexander and the 'Policy of Fusion'.
Term 3
Alexander the Great continued. We delve more into his leadership and the impact that it had on Greek and non-Greeks, as well as explore his ideologies and beliefs.
Term 4
Exam preparation
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 3.1 - Analyse ideas and values of the classical world
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 3.3 - Analyse the impact of a significant historical figure on the classical world
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of significant ideology(ies) in the classical world
NZQA Info
Classical Studies 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of the lasting influences of the classical world on other cultures across time
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 22
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
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