Classical Greek

Rationale and Aims

Rationale

Through accessing and translating Classical Greek texts and engaging with artefacts, students make connections with ancient worlds that have shaped contemporary life and societies. Knowledge of Classical Greek and the ancient Greek world enriches students’ awareness of how an ancient civilisation influences life and thought in the contemporary world.

Classical Greek has been taught in Victoria since the 1800s. Studying Classical Greek enables students to develop their understanding of how language works as a system, enhances their capability to communicate and extends their literacy skills. Students become familiar with many complex linguistic operations and with the metalanguage used to denote different usages and structures. Such principles can be applied to the study of other languages, ancient or modern, related or distant. Students are able to increase their understanding of the workings of languages they seek to learn, as well as those already in their background.

The study of Classical Greek exercises students’ intellectual curiosity, strengthens their cognitive, analytical and reflective capabilities, and enhances their creative and critical thinking. Through their reading, analysis and translation of texts, students of Classical Greek develop their thinking processes, such as close attention to detail, precision, accuracy, memory, persistence and logic. When translating, students make sense of ancient ideas, experiences, values and attitudes, giving prominence to shades of meaning, thus increasing their dexterity of thought. Through the focus on analysis and precise translation of texts, students develop their capacity to learn in a systematic and disciplined manner.

Learning Classical Greek enhances students’ understanding of English due to the influence of Classical Greek on the vocabulary of English. Many English words and especially literary, scientific and technical terms are derived from Greek. The vocabulary of academic discourse is heavily indebted to Greek, and students of Classical Greek acquire a deep understanding of specialised words and an enriched personal vocabulary that enhances their ability to discuss academic concepts.

Studying Classical Greek enhances students’ enjoyment and understanding of their own and other cultures. Students examine the language used to denote values in different cultures, both ancient and contemporary, and understand the diversity that exists, and has always existed, in cultural values. They gain a deep understanding of literature dealing with enduring moral and social issues, such as the conflict between individual freedom and the common good of society, the role of the family, discrimination based on race, gender or religion, or the causes of revolution. Through critical reflection on and comparisons with the history, culture, values and practices of the ancient world, learning Classical Greek contributes to students’ development as responsible citizens, locally and globally.

Aims

The 3 interrelated aims of the Classical Greek curriculum are to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure students:

• engage with the language, history and culture of the ancient Greek world through interaction with texts
• understand language, culture and learning and their relationship, through the medium of Classical Greek texts and artefacts, and thereby develop intercultural understanding
• understand how their own experience of learning Classical Greek extends their ways of viewing, engaging in and interpreting the contemporary world.