The syllabus consists of two stages:
Stage I: a course of study for first year which serves as a general introduction to the classical world.
Stage II: a two-year programme consisting of a detailed study of a selected number of prescribed topics, upon which assessment in the Junior Certificate examination is to be based.
Before setting out to teach Classical Studies, teachers should consult theDepartment of Education Junior Certificate syllabus in Classical Studies.
The syllabus is offered at two levels, Ordinary and Higher. The syllabus framework is common to both levels; consequently, students at both levels are able to work together until the end of the three-year cycle. Differentiation between the two levels in the terminal assessment will be carried out by examining one part in every topic - part (b) at greater depth on the Higher level paper.
These guidelines for the second and third-year course in Classical Studies have been prepared for the assistance of teachers, since no textbook covers the entire content of the syllabus. Detailed guidelines are also available for the first-year course in Classical Studies*, and much of the material found in the first-year guidelines forms a foundation for the second and third-year course. It is hoped that the two sets of guidelines will enable teachers (a) to understand the nature of the syllabus and (b) to approach the teaching of classical studies with confidence. However, it is not intended in the guidelines to cover every aspect of the ancient world, and teachers are free to explore further aspects that are of particular interest to themselves. It is also important to realise that many of the topics overlap and that there are many versions of a number of the legends. In addition, many names of people in this period can be spelt in various ways.
The guidelines are not prescriptive but simply offer one set of suggestions for teaching the subject, which can also be taught in other ways. Teachers in the classroom may adopt whatever approach or combination of approaches to the syllabus they wish. However, no matter what approach is adopted the method of teachingmust allow the student to learn through active participation. Examples of suggested activities are included in the guidelines. The approach and methods adopted in teaching the syllabus should also enable and encourage both teachers and students to achieve the aims and objectives of the syllabus.
*The Junior Certificate First Year Course in Classical Studies Guidelines for Teachers, available in the Government Stationery Office.
CLASSICAL STUDIES IN SECOND AND THIRD YEAR
Classical Studies in second and third year consists of ten topics, five of which are drawn from the Greek world and five from the Roman world.
THE GREEK WORLD
Topic 1: The Wrath of Achilles
Topic 2: Greece and Persia
Topic 3: The Life and Death of Socrates
Topic 4: Mycenae and Troy
Topic 5: The Athenian Acropolis
THE ROMAN WORLD
Topic 6: The Quest of Aeneas
Topic 7: The Roman Theatre - comedy
Topic 8: The Life and Times of Julius Caesar
Topic 9: A Roman City - Pompeii
Topic 10: The Roman Army
The examination in the Juriior Certificate is based on these ten topics, five of which students should have studied - two from the Greek world, two from the Roman world, and one further topic from either the Greek world or the Roman world.
Every topic is based on the study of source material drawn from key areas of the classical world, each of which has a definite orientation, for example philosophical, archaeological, historical, and so on, but is designed in such a way as to permit the study of various other aspects as well. This is demonstrated in the description of topics, which is given in appendix B of the syllabus.