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• Languages | Classical Greek: Rationale and Aims

  Rationale

  The study of Classical Greek allows students to enter and explore ancient worlds that have shaped contemporary life and societies. Authentic engagement with seminal works of great literature and antiquities gives direct access to ancient ways of living in and viewing the world, and an...

  Overview material | Classical Greek

• VCGRCU030

  Reflect on self as a language learner, explaining how the study of Classical Greek influences own communicative behaviours, ways of thinking and viewing the world

  Elaborations

  • exploring own sense of identity, challenging own and others’ assumptions about family and civic responsibilities, traditions, values and attitudes
  • drawing on knowledge of ancient society to examine and interpret own world, including aspects such as ancestry, values, traditions, social status, family and national pride
  • reflecting, such as in discussions, blogs and journals, on experiences in the course of learning Classical Greek and their impact on perceptions of own cultural experience and ways of communicating
  • identifying challenges and achievements associated with learning Classical Greek, for example, learning to ‘read between the lines’ to identify thought implicit in the use of language
  • reinterpreting own experience of learning Classical Greek, listening to others’ perspectives and comparing these with own experience
  • discussing how learning Classical Greek impacts on own ways of thinking and viewing the world

  VCGRCU030 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Reflecting

• VCGRCU027

  Discuss how the ancient Greek world has influenced the modern world, in its social, political and legal structures; philosophy; literature; arts; and medical and scientific practices

  Elaborations

  • discussing the ancient origins of modern political and legal structures and concepts, such as jury service, elections, trials
  • exploring modern social issues, such as class, the role of women and civil rights, and making comparisons with the Classical Greek period
  • researching the influence of leading Greek intellectuals, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, on modern Western philosophy
  • discussing influences of Classical Greek literature on modern novels, poetry, drama and film, such as World War I poetry, David Malouf’s Ransom, Anouilh’s Antigone, A Dream of Passion (Medea)
  • recognising the importance of literary genres such as epic, tragedy, comedy, epigram, ode, history, myth
  • viewing artworks to investigate the incorporation of classical techniques and themes by later artists, for example, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Bernini
  • investigating ancient practices in medicine and science still relevant in the modern world, such as the theories of Hippocrates, Democritus, Pythagoras, Archimedes, Eratosthenes, Aristarchus

  VCGRCU027 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | The powerful influence of language and culture

• Languages | Classical Greek: Structure

  Sequences of learning

  Victorian Curriculum Classical Greek has one learning sequence:

  • 7–10 sequence for students who begin to learn the language in Year 7.

  Strands and Sub-strands

  The content of Classical Greek is organised through two interrelated strands. The two strands are Engaging...

  Overview material | Classical Greek

• VCGRCE016

  Read, analyse and interpret Classical Greek texts, using vocabulary, grammar and textual cues, to engage with the ancient Greek world

  Elaborations

  • predicting the context and content of Classical Greek texts through initial holistic reading, by identifying key words and phrases, for example, οἱ βάρβαροι μάλα φοβούμενοι
  • inferring meaning using knowledge of the text type and the author’s purpose and technique, for example, νῦν οὖν ἀτεχνῶς ἥκω παρασκευασμένος/βοᾶν, ὑποκρούειν, λοιδορεῖν τοὺς ῥήτορας/ἐάν τις ἄλλο πλὴν περὶ εἰρήνης λέγῃ. (Aristophanes’ Acharnians)
  • investigating and explaining the effect of word order in Classical Greek in producing emphasis and tone, for example, indignation, anger, suspense
  • examining and interpreting complex sentence structures, such as the use of the optative mood in indirect statements, for example, ὁ στρατηγὸς εἶπεν ὅτι οἱ σύμμαχοι δ’ ὁλίγου νικήσοιεν
  • reflecting on the particular use of tenses in Classical Greek and making comparisons with English, such as use of aspect, vivid use of the present in indirect speech, or use of the aorist in gnomic statements, for example, παθὼν δέ τε νήπιος ἔγνω
  • explaining how the coherence of complex texts relies on devices that signal text structure and guide readers, for example, οὖν, γάρ. μέντοι, δήπου
  • discussing conventions of Classical Greek texts, such as the inclusion of speeches in historiography
  • investigating how different conjunctions are used in complex sentences to extend, elaborate and explain ideas, for example, εἴχομεν ἡμεῖς Πύδναν καὶ Μεθώνην καὶ πάντα τὸν τόπον τοῦτον
  • explaining allusions to historical or mythological characters who exemplify Greek virtues, such as Achilles, Hector, Theseus, Solon, Socrates
  • recognising positive and negative connotations implicit in Classical Greek words, for example, τύραννος, δαίμων
  • examining cultural assumptions that influence ways in which meanings are expressed or interpreted, for example, the use of pompous or tragic language for comic effect in Aristophanes’ plays
  • discussing the function and power of cultural representations such as symbols, for example, the gorgon/aegis, the omphalos, Asclepius’ wand, the owl
  • justifying interpretations of texts, using examples or quotations from or references to the text, such as line numbers or a paraphrase of a longer section of text
  • constructing, editing and presenting interpretations of and responses to literary Classical Greek, using ICT collaboratively

  VCGRCE016 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10 | Engaging with texts | Accessing the ancient Greek world through Classical Greek texts

• VCGRCE001

  Read, comprehend and discuss Classical Greek texts, using vocabulary, grammar and textual cues, to explore the ancient Greek world

  Elaborations

  • developing an initial sense of the structure and content of texts by inferring meaning from textual cues, for example, titles, headings, images or captions to images, maps
  • listening to simple sentences in Classical Greek to infer meaning, using aural cues such as ἆρα ἤδη πονεῖτε ἐν τοῖς ἀγροῖς; ἐλθὲ δεῦρο
  • determining the general sense of texts through initial holistic reading, by identifying familiar people, vocabulary, places or topics, for example, ὁ Λεωνίδας μάχεται ἐν ταῖς Θερμοπύλαις, recognising modern editors’ use of punctuation to guide readers
  • analysing sentences, identifying and explaining the function of inflected forms, for example, ὁ δεσπότης καλεῖ τὸν δοῦλον (subject + verb + object)
  • identifying and discussing linguistic features in narratives, such as word order, use of interrogative particles, striking word choice, for example, καὶ μὴν καταβαίνει έκ τοῦ ὄρους κένταυρος μέγιστος
  • interpreting and commenting on language choices, such as patterns and length of simple and compound sentences, or use of direct speech, for example, ὁ δὲ Κύκλωψ τόν τ’ Ὀδυσσέα καὶ τοὺς ἑταίρους ὁρᾷ καί, «ὦ ξένοι» βοᾷ, «τίνες έστὲ καὶ πόθεν πλεῖτε;»
  • explaining cultural references embedded in texts, for example, μηδὲν ἄγαν
  • discussing cultural information implicit in Classical Greek vocabulary, for example, ἀνήρ, ἄριστος, σοφός, δεινός, ἥρως
  • exploring cultural elements implicit in language use, for example, vocabulary and expressions particular to specific gods and festivals, such as ὧ Ζεῦ Σῶτερ/Βρόντιε/Ξένιε, ὦ Βάκχε/Βρώμιε, ὦ Φοῖβε, ὦ Ἀθήνη Πρόμαχε
  • discussing cultural representations such as symbols, for example, the owl (Athena), trident (Poseidon), olive wreath (Olympic victory), the letter lambda (Spartans)
  • interpreting stated and implied meanings in texts and supporting an opinion with evidence from the Classical Greek, such as relationships between characters

  VCGRCE001 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8 | Engaging with texts | Accessing the ancient Greek world through Classical Greek texts

• VCGRCU011

  Understand that Greek spread with the expansion of the ancient Greek world, and developed over time, influencing English and other languages

  Elaborations

  • recognising that Greek is a member of the Indo-European family of languages, related to other ancient languages, such as Latin, Sanskrit and Old Persian
  • recognising that Greek has been spoken in various forms uninterruptedly from the 3rd millennium BCE to the present day and has been documented in writing since about 1450 BCE
  • recognising that Classical Greek is a specific form of the language, evolved from earlier forms such as Mycenaean Greek and the Archaic Greek used in the epics of Homer
  • identifying Classical Greek as the Attic/Ionic dialect of the language spoken in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE in Athens, many Aegean islands and the coast of Asia Minor
  • recognising that Classical Greek was the form of the language used by significant ancient Greek authors, such as Thucydides, Sophocles, Plato, Lysias
  • locating on a map the places where Greek was spoken in antiquity around the Mediterranean basin from Spain to the coast of Turkey and across the Black Sea
  • investigating how the geography of mainland Greece influenced the development of independent city-states such as Athens, Sparta, Corinth and Thebes
  • exploring the spread of Greek colonies across the Mediterranean and Black Sea coastlines, such as Syracuse (Sicily), Naples (Italy), Marseilles (France), Cyrene (Libya), Miletus (Turkey), Emporion (Spain)
  • identifying and using Classical Greek derivatives to expand own English vocabulary, for example, sceptic, cynic, antithesis
  • recognising connections between the spelling of Classical Greek and English words and applying understanding to improve own spelling in English, for example, psychology, rhythm, seismology
  • identifying expressions in Classical Greek that are commonly used in English, for example, hoi polloi, eureka
  • identifying words of Classical Greek origin that are used as school subjects, for example, mathematics, history, geography, music, drama, biology, chemistry, physics, philosophy, psychology, economics
  • identifying and collecting word families in which the same Classical Greek root is used with different prefixes or suffixes, for example, calligraphy, biography, biology, technology, paralysis, analysis, Palaeolithic, palaeontology
  • applying knowledge of Classical Greek to understand words and expressions in Modern Greek, such as signs in shops and public places, for example ΚΙΝΔΥΝΟΣ, ΠΡΟΣΟΧΗ, ΙΧΘΥΟΠΩΛΕΙΟΝ, ΦΑΡΜΑΚΕΙΟΝ, έν τάξει, κλειστόν
  • identifying similarities between Classical Greek and other Indo-European languages by comparing cognate words, such as ἕξ: sex (Latin), sechs (German), six; πατήρ: pater (Latin), Vater (German), father

  VCGRCU011 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | The powerful influence of language and culture

• VCGRCU012

  Examine the enduring influence of ancient Greek culture on the modern world, by discussing the ancient origins of modern values, pursuits, citizenship, literature, the arts and architecture

  Elaborations

  • recognising the ancient origins of national values such as democracy, equity and justice, freedom of speech and independent thought
  • comparing the concept of citizenship, rights and responsibilities in ancient Greece and the modern world
  • identifying references to ancient Greek mythology and literature in visual and performing arts and literature from antiquity to the present
  • exploring ancient connections with daily routines in modern society, such as sport, theatre and schooling
  • identifying literary influences from the Classical Greek period on popular culture, such as brand names, cartoons, adventure films, for example, Clash of the Titans, Troy, Hercules
  • exploring connections between ancient and modern music, for example, musical instruments such as the guitar, which is descended from the cithara or lyre
  • recognising the use of Greek as the language of the New Testament and as the original language of well-known texts such as the Lord’s Prayer
  • researching elements of Greek engineering and architecture seen in public buildings in Australia and across the world, for example, the use of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns
  • observing and discussing ancient Greek architectural structures and influences in Roman, Renaissance, Neoclassical and New Classical architecture

  VCGRCU012 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | The powerful influence of language and culture

• Classical Greek: Levels 9 and 10 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 10, students analyse a range of Classical Greek texts to obtain information and ideas about ancient Greek society and culture. They use vocabulary, grammar and textual cues to analyse and interpret language use and cultural references in Classical Greek texts, such as poetry...

  Level description | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10

• VCGRCU026

  Understand that Greek became the dominant language of the ancient Mediterranean world and facilitated the spread of Greek civilisation and culture, and that Classical Greek continues to enrich English through specialist vocabulary and abstract concepts embodied in the language

  Elaborations

  • recognising that, from the Hellenistic period onwards, Koine Greek developed from Classical Greek to become the lingua franca of Eastern Mediterranean lands and the language of the New Testament
  • discussing the spread of Greek influence across the Mediterranean and Black Sea, including the use of Greek as the common language for government, trade, commerce, education and law
  • investigating how the Greek language allowed the spread of innovative Greek ideas in the areas of science, medicine, mathematics, historiography, geography and philosophy, for example, μαθηματικά, γεωγραφία, ἱστορία, φιλοσοφία
  • recognising that there were many dialects of Greek spoken in antiquity, such as Doric, Aeolic, Arcado–Cypriot
  • exploring famous centres of Greek learning and culture such as Alexandria, Antioch and Ephesus
  • recognising the spread of Greek ideas in the Roman world, shown by the use of borrowed Greek vocabulary in Latin to denote such concepts as stadium, palaestra, rhetor theatrum, comedia, stoica, philosophia
  • exploring abstract concepts derived from Classical Greek, such as philanthropy, idol, autonomy, paradox, aesthetics, nostalgia, agony
  • exploring and discussing the meaning of Classical Greek sayings used in literature, such as μηδὲν ἄγαν, γνῶθι σαυτόν, μολὼν λαβέ
  • recognising words in English that are a hybrid of Classical Greek and Latin, for example, metalanguage, quantum physics, teleconference, television, automobile
  • discussing Classical Greek derivatives that are used in fields such as business and education, for example, macroeconomics, monopoly, pedagogy, syllabus
  • examining the Classical Greek roots of English words in subjects across the school curriculum, such as theorem, metaphor, photosynthesis, chlorine, atom, planet, geophysical, ecosystem, orchestra, music, scene, dialogue, chorus, athletics
  • identifying Classical Greek roots in English scientific, technical and medical terminology, for example, catalyst, aerodynamic, pathogen, bacteria, atherosclerosis, acne, asthma, chromatography, symmetry, thermometer, seismic
  • exploring how Classical Greek is used to coin terms for new technology and new discoveries in science and medicine in the modern world, such as gigabyte, nanotechnology, antioxidant, polymer, genotype, triglyceride
  • applying knowledge of Classical Greek to form plurals of borrowed English words, for example, criterion/criteria, phenomenon/phenomena, crisis/crises, thesis/theses, stigma/stigmata
  • discussing the enduring use of Classical Greek in religious contexts, for example, κύριε ἐλέησον, Χριστὀς, ἐκκλησία, βάπτισμα, συναγωγή, κλῆρος, ἄγγελος, πρεσβύτερος, ὕμνος, βίβλος, εὐαγγέλιον

  VCGRCU026 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | The powerful influence of language and culture

• VCGRCU014

  Reflect on own and others’ reactions to and assumptions about the language and culture of ancient Greek society, considering similarities and differences to own language and culture

  Elaborations

  • considering own and others’ cultural assumptions about home and leisure and how these may have been different in the ancient Greek context
  • reviewing and responding to aspects of cultural practices in Classical Greek texts and ancient Greek artefacts, and discussing the reactions of peers to these
  • developing an understanding of life in ancient Athens or Sparta, and reflecting on similarities and differences to own lifestyle in multicultural Australia
  • describing own life at home and school and making comparisons with that of young people in ancient Greece
  • discussing how young people in ancient Greece may have viewed the lives of young people in the modern world

  VCGRCU014 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Reflecting

• VCGRCU013

  Recognise that the language of the ancient Greeks provides insights into their daily lives, ideas, feelings and attitudes

  Elaborations

  • investigating connections between language and significant cultural attitudes, for example, discussing how the terms ἐκκλησία, βουλή, πρυτάνεις, ψήφισμα and the expressions τὶς ἀγορεύειν βούλεται and ἔδοξε τῇ βουλῇ καὶ τῷ δήμῳ relate to the concept of citizenship in ancient Athens
  • understanding the factors, such as language, religion and culture, that unified the Ἕλληνες (Greeks) and set them apart from the βάρβαροι (non-Greeks)
  • exploring and discussing language use that reflects the social structure of the πόλις of Athens, encompassing both city and countryside, for example, citizen classes, metics, slaves, women
  • exploring and discussing references in texts to social structure in Sparta, including the Spartans, perioikoi and helots
  • comparing and contrasting references in texts to family life, social practices and education in Athens and Sparta
  • understanding the importance of religion in ancient Greek society, and its links to festivals and ceremonies, for example, by examining references in texts to worship of the Olympian gods and local heroes, the panhellenic festivals of the Olympic and Pythian Games, or the dramatic performances of the Dionysia in Athens
  • comparing language that reflects the status of men, youths, women and girls in domestic affairs and public life in ancient Athens and Sparta, such as the significance of the terms ἀνδρεία, κύριος, κηδεμών, παρθένος
  • exploring the colloquial language that ancient Greeks used for greetings, or answering questions about daily life, such as χαῖρε/χαίρετε, πῶς ἔχεις/ἔχετε; τὶ ἔστιν;

  VCGRCU013 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• Languages | Classical Greek: Learning in Classical Greek

  The place of Classical Greek and the heritage of the ancient Greek world

  The Classical Greek language belongs to the Indo-European linguistic family. It is thus related to most of the languages of Europe, to Old Persian and, through Sanskrit, to several major Indian languages.

  Classical Greek is...

  Overview material | Classical Greek

• VCGRCU015

  Reflect on self as a language learner, considering how learning Classical Greek influences ways of learning and enhances understanding of own heritage, values and culture

  Elaborations

  • exploring own sense of identity, considering own and others’ assumptions about family, language(s) spoken, traditions, values and attitudes
  • considering how learning about the ancient world offers different ways of interpreting the modern world and representing experience
  • keeping a journal of experiences (humorous, satisfying or challenging) associated with learning and using Classical Greek, noting personal reactions and reflections over time
  • considering how learning Classical Greek has impacted on own approaches to learning across subjects, such as setting realistic timeframes, computational thinking
  • reflecting on the experience of learning Classical Greek, considering how it might add a further dimension to own sense of identity
  • reflecting and reporting on how learning Classical Greek gives insights into the relationship between language and culture in general, and how own way of thinking about language, culture and identity may change through the experience

  VCGRCU015 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8 | Understanding | Reflecting

• VCGRCU028

  Identify how cultural values, attitudes and beliefs of the ancient Greeks are embedded in their language

  Elaborations

  • discussing ancient Greek values that are embedded in terms such as such as σοφία and ξενία and considering their significance in the modern world
  • understanding how language and cultural practices are interconnected, for example, by explaining religious origins or connotations associated with words and expressions such as ἱερόν/τέμενος/ἡρῷον/ἄβατον/μυστήρια/εὐσέβεια
  • investigating the use of dialects to denote differences in ethnicity and social status in ancient Greece, for example, Aristophanes’ use of Doric to ridicule a Spartan character
  • exploring the formal language that ancient Greeks used for greetings, or responding to the challenges of public life, such as ἔρρωσθε καὶ ἐδαιμονεῖτε, ἀσπάζομαι, ὦ ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι, ὦ δικασταί, and making comparisons with own language use in formal contexts
  • reflecting on how language, texts and artefacts provide a means of understanding the social and cultural practices of ancient Greeks and how they conceptualised their world

  VCGRCU028 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Role of language and culture

• VCGRCU029

  Question and explain own and others’ reactions to and assumptions about the language, culture and values of ancient Greek society, discussing how these relate to own language and culture

  Elaborations

  • discussing how values, attitudes and practices of people living in ancient Athens or Sparta are similar to or different from their own
  • exploring how cultural identity was manifested in the ancient world, and making comparisons with own cultural identity in modern Australia
  • exploring the identity and loyalty of the ancient Greeks as members of separate city-states and members of a broader Greek world and relating this to their own identity as a member of a local community, a state/territory/nation and as a global citizen
  • describing and comparing own public and private lives with those of people in ancient Greece
  • considering how cultural diversity has continued to be an integral feature of society since ancient times
  • exploring the process of decentring from own linguistic and cultural standpoint and considering how own ways of behaving and communicating may have been perceived by people of the past

  VCGRCU029 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Reflecting

• Classical Greek: Levels 7 and 8 achievement standards

  By the end of Level 8, students use their knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and textual cues to identify and interpret information in Classical Greek texts, such as narratives, about the daily life and attitudes of the ancient Greeks. They interpret grammatical structures such as inflected forms...

  Level description | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8

• VCGRCU025

  Analyse the structure and features of different text types in Classical Greek, exploring how they relate to context, purpose and audience

  Elaborations

  • identifying the purpose and specific features of prose and verse texts, such as in the structure of Classical Greek plays, for example, πρόλογος, πάροδος, ἐπεισόδια, στάσιμα, ἔξοδος
  • making connections and comparisons between a new text and familiar texts of the same type
  • analysing texts to understand how different points of view are expressed, for example, the response of several characters to a dramatic decision, such as the recall of military generals to Athens to stand trial after the Athenian victory at Arginusae in 406 BCE
  • recognising different ways of presenting the same story, for example, from the viewpoint of different characters or in the form of a flashback
  • analysing language features used to influence the intended audience, such as imagery, rhetorical devices

  VCGRCU025 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 9 and 10 | Understanding | Systems of language

• VCGRCE002

  Convey information and ideas about the daily life and attitudes of the ancient Greeks, in oral, written and digital forms, using Classical Greek as appropriate

  Elaborations

  • gathering, collating and presenting information about daily routine in the ancient Greek world, such as in posters or digital displays about family life, education, food, hygiene, exercise, with annotations in English or words and simple phrases in Classical Greek
  • reading stories about the daily lives of ancient Greeks, and recreating their everyday experiences, for example, through role-play or an imaginative animated cartoon
  • comparing details from different sources about where Greek people lived, such as in urban centres or rural settlements, for example, through dioramas or drawings with labels in English or Classical Greek, and discussing what they reveal about different lifestyles in the Classical period
  • researching the purpose and function of spaces in an ancient Greek home, for example, the ἀνδρών and γυναικών rooms, for an oral or digital presentation, using labels in English and Classical Greek
  • examining artefacts from the classical Greek period, such as those from ancient Athens, and discussing what they reveal about the everyday lives of ancient Greek people
  • collating and sharing information online about ancient Greek inventions, engineering and infrastructure, for example, the Antikythera Mechanism, the Hippodamian urban grid plan, Archimedes’ screw
  • researching the attitudes of ancient Greeks revealed in their myths and legends, and acting out stories, such as the labours of Heracles, to convey these attitudes
  • gathering and creating a class bank of information from texts about ancient Greek religious beliefs and practices, for example, Olympian deities, local festivals (Dionysia in Athens) and panhellenic festivals (Pythian Games at Delphi)
  • reading accounts of historical events, such as Aeschylus’ eyewitness account of the Battle of Salamis, and presenting information in new ways, for example, as a news report

  VCGRCE002 | Languages | Classical Greek | Levels 7 and 8 | Engaging with texts | Accessing the ancient Greek world through Classical Greek texts