Page 67 - THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 9–12 | Classical Studies and International Languages

B. Mythology and Literature. The study of mythology and literature is essential to understanding the classical world on its own terms and through its own words. Students explore various types of myths in order to gain insight into their influence on ancient and modern societies, including their own society. Students read translations of poetry, drama, letters, historical narratives, and speeches written by classical authors, all of which bring history to life by revealing the thoughts and feelings of real people in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire and which served as models for later writers. Because the study of mythology and literature cannot be separated from the study of classical languages, students learn to identify and use correctly some essential vocabulary and terminology derived from these languages, and acquire knowledge of the ancient Greek and Latin alphabets.
C. History and Geography. In this strand, students acquire and apply historical and geographical knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean to gain insight into the development of social customs and political and religious institutions in the classical world. Students investigate ways in which the political, military, and economic interactions of the peoples of the ancient Mediterranean played a key role in the cultural development of the region and ultimately of the later Western world. Because ancient Greek and Latin are used to refer to locations and events in the ancient world, students learn to identify and correctly use geographical and historical terminology derived from the classical languages.
D. Philosophy and Religion. In this strand, students investigate the schools of classical philosophy and the diverse religions of the Graeco-Roman world, acquiring an understanding of the contributions of philosophy to the development of modern scientific inquiry. Students
also analyse ways in which classical philosophies and religions influenced other ancient societies and later cultures, including their own. Because the use of ancient Greek and Latin is inextricably linked to classical philosophical and religious writing, as well as to the development of modern Western thought and religious expression, students learn to identify and correctly use philosophical, scientific, and religious terminology derived from the classical languages.
E. Material Culture. The material culture of the classical world offers significant opportunities to gain insight into the lives of people who lived at that time. Students explore diverse aspects of the material culture of the ancient world – such as mosaics, frescoes, jewellery, coins, pottery, domestic articles, inscriptions on monuments, and architectural structures and sites – and examine issues related to the archaeological practices that have revealed this physical evidence. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the influence of classical material culture on other ancient and modern societies, including their own. Students also learn to identify the ancient Greek and Latin alphabets and acquire an understanding of basic epigraphy and terminology needed to interpret material evidence from the classical world.
A Core Concepts and Topics chart is provided in the classical studies appendix. The concepts and topics are balanced between ancient Greek and Roman culture and organized chronologically according to strand, and students are expected to demonstrate understanding of this information. A second chart, Key Terms, shows significant words used in connection with the course strands, as well as their origins in ancient Greek and Latin.
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Classical Studies