Classical Greek Continuers

2 units for each of Year 11 and HSC

NESA Developed Course

What background knowledge do I need to study Classical Greek Continuers?

200 to 300 hours study of Classical Greek.

Why study Classical Greek Continuers?

Students’ knowledge of the development of language and literature, and their appreciation of ancient and modern cultures and civilisations, are enhanced by the study of Classical Greek. In the cultural tradition of Western Europe, it is the language of some of the earliest written stories, and of the first drama and philosophy. Modern literature in English and other European languages is filled with classical allusions which are readily recognised by the student who has encountered them in the original language.

Course description:

The principal aim in studying Classical Greek is to acquire first-hand knowledge of the literature, culture and thought of the ancient Greeks. Those who have studied the language up to Year 10 have acquired an excellent foundation which is built upon in the Year 11 course (Year 11), to bring them to the point where they will be able to read in the original language, some of the greatest literature ever written. Students will also develop an appreciation of the continuing influences of ancient Greece on the languages, cultures, literatures and traditions of the modern world.

Main topics covered:

Year 11 Course

Students continue to study Classical Greek grammar, while being introduced to extracts from the works of the authors such as Euripides, Thucydides, Plato, Herodotus and Aristophanes.

HSC Course

Students study a prescribed prose text and a prescribed verse text. The authors, whose works are set for 2024-2025, are: for prose, Plato, Republic I; and, for verse, Euripides, Alcestis. Students study extracts from each text in the original Classical Greek and the rest of the text in translation.

Areas of study include:

• Language and linguistic features

• Literary features

• Social and historical context

• Historical, religious and cultural references

• Ideas, beliefs, arguments and practices within these texts.

HSC examination structure:

One three-hour written paper.

• Section I Questions on the prose text (translation, comment)

• Section II Questions on the verse text (translation, comment)

• Section III Unseen translation

How is Classical Greek Continuers relevant to tertiary studies and career choice?

Classical Greek is an excellent foundation for many areas of study, including law, medicine, government, journalism, and the creative arts. A good knowledge of Classical Greek enhances and improves a student’s understanding of English, which is a great benefit not only in study but also in most fields or work. The study of Classical Greek allows English-speaking students to appreciate a very different form of communication and to develop techniques of linguistic analysis which facilitate the learning of further languages. From Classical Greek comes much of the technical vocabulary used today in medicine and the sciences and familiarity with Greek art and architecture still provides a strong basis for study in these fields. The literature studied is some of the finest ever written and provides a basis for the appreciation of later works and may be a stimulus for the student’s own creative writing.