Tawa College

NCEA Level 3 Classical Studies 301

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Ms J. Botting.

Recommended Prior Learning

You should have 12 or more credits from a literacy-rich NCEA Level 2 subject (e.g. Classical Studies, English, Geography or History). While Level 2 Classical Studies is helpful, all students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Classical Studies 301

“Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now” – Pericles.

Step into the ancient world and discover the people, places and ideas of Ancient Greece and Rome. Classical Studies is an interdisciplinary subject that examines themes such as citizenship and society, culture and identity, empire and power, conflict, art and aesthetics.

Building on the knowledge and skills from Level 2 Classical Studies, this course examines the myths, leaders, and legacies that have influenced history and continue to shape contemporary society.

The course begins with the myths of the Trojan War, focusing on how these stories were depicted on ancient Greek vases and how post-classical artists have retold and reinterpreted them.

Students will explore how myth and history shape cultural legacies and collective memory. This includes investigating and engaging in discussions on artefact ownership and repatriation, analysing the contested legacies of iconic figures such as Barbie and Cleopatra through the lenses of bias and source interpretation, and examining how the Battle of Thermopylae - popularised by the film 300 - has become 'mythologised' over time.

The second half of the course focuses on Alexander the Great. Students will investigate his rise to power, military campaigns, and the challenges of empire-building, before evaluating his impact on the classical world and his enduring legacy. The topic concludes with a debate on whether Alexander truly deserves the title “Great.”

Classical Studies 301 is a literacy-rich, UE-approved subject. Students will develop and strengthen essential academic skills that are valuable in various subjects and beneficial for tertiary study. These skills include critical thinking, research and evidence evaluation, source analysis, contextual understanding, developing convincing arguments, and writing structured reports.

Course Overview

Term 1
Topic: Troy Story – Myth, Art, and Influence

Students will explore the myths of the Trojan War and examine how these stories were preserved and interpreted through the visual narratives on Greek vases. They will then research and report on how aspects of these myths have been retold and reimagined in post-Classical art.

Skills: Critical thinking, evidence and source analysis, research methods, contextual understanding, and developing structured arguments and report writing.

Assessment: Internal assessment AS 91398 – Demonstrate understanding of the lasting influences of the classical world on other cultures across time (6 credits).

Term 2
Topic 1: Contesting Legacies – Identity, Memory, and Representation

Students will explore debates about cultural heritage and artefact ownership, including repatriation issues. They will compare how the legacies of figures like Cleopatra and Barbie are shaped and contested, and examine how events such as the Battle of Thermopylae have become mythologised over time.

Skills: Critical thinking, evidence and source analysis, evaluating bias and perspectives, contextual understanding.

Topic 2: Alexander the Great – Power, Propaganda, and Legacy

At the end of the term, students will begin their study of Alexander the Great. They will explore his background, early military campaigns, and the strategies he employed to conquer the Achaemenid Empire.

Skills: Critical thinking and historical interpretation, contextual understanding, evaluating evidence and source reliability, synthesising information.

Term 3
Topic: Alexander the Great – Power, Propaganda, and Legacy continued.

Students will continue their study of Alexander by examining his policies for maintaining power and the challenges of ruling a vast empire through a written report. After tracing his eastern campaigns, they will explore his impact on the classical world. The topic concludes with a debate, with past topics including “Alexander: War Hero or War Criminal?” and “Alexander: Great… or just Great PR?”

Skills: Critical thinking and historical interpretation, research and evidence evaluation, source analysis, synthesising information, argument development, structured report writing.

Internal assessment AS 91397: Demonstrate understanding of significant ideology(ies) in the classical world (6 credits).

Derived Grade Exams for AS 91395 and AS 91396 will also be held during this term.

Term 4
Students will focus on revision and preparation for the external examinations.

External AS 91395: Analyse the significance of a work(s) of art in the classical world (4 credits) and/or

External AS 91396: Analyse the impact of a significant historical figure on the classical world (6 credits)

Learning Areas:

Social Sciences

Contributions and Equipment/Stationery

No days out of school are planned at this stage, although a trip may be planned should a relevant exhibition, performance, or university day occur. This may incur a small cost.

Students will need a device, a highlighter and an A4 lined exercise book.