Contextualization

Ancient Pre-Hellenistic Greece, a phase in the history of this rich and fascinating territory that spans from the Minoan period (around 3100 BC) to the end of the Classical period (323 BC). This period is marked by significant advances and contributions in the areas of philosophy, art, literature, politics, and science. The city-states of Ancient Greece, most notably Athens and Sparta, deeply influenced Western culture and society, and their effects can still be seen in our contemporary society.

For example, philosophy saw the emergence of great thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These philosophers sought to understand various aspects of reality, from ethics to the nature of knowledge and reality, and their ideas shaped subsequent Western thought in fundamental ways.

Importance of Ancient Greece

The legacy of Ancient Greece can be seen in almost every facet of modern society. Democracy, for instance, was initially implemented in Athens by Cleisthenes in 507 BC, and although it has evolved over the centuries, the idea of governing with the consent of the governed is an integral part of almost all modern Western societies.

Moreover, Ancient Greece is also responsible for many of the earliest contributions to science. Great thinkers like Euclid and Archimedes made significant advances in mathematics and physics that are still relevant today. The influence of Ancient Greece extends to art and literature, with Homer's epics, 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey,' still being studied in classrooms around the world.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Life in Ancient Greece: Art, Philosophy, and Democracy'

Project Objective

Recreate a segment of Ancient Pre-Hellenistic Greece, focusing on the three pillars: art, philosophy, and democracy. Through research and recreation, students will not only learn about the historical aspects but also about how these three pillars related in ancient Greek society.

Detailed Project Description

Groups will choose one of the three focus areas (Art, Philosophy, or Democracy) and will create a theatrical presentation, a panel discussion, or a debate that represents their choice. They should also develop a conceptual map showing the impact of the chosen area on Greek society and how it is reflected in contemporary society.

Required Materials

Books and research materials
Paper, pencils, and markers
Internet access for research
Materials for the production of the theater/debate/panel
Cardboard paper or a computer program for creating the conceptual map

Step-by-Step Guide for Activity Execution

Divide into groups of 3 to 5 students and choose one of the three topics (Art, Philosophy, or Democracy) as your focus.
Conduct in-depth research on the chosen topic. Use the provided resources and others you find to learn as much as possible. This research time should take approximately 3 hours.
Based on your research, develop a plan for your focus activity (theatrical presentation, panel discussion, or debate). This step should take about 1 hour.
Conduct the activity and discuss the findings, representing as much as possible the reality of Ancient Greece. Allocate about 3 hours for this step.
Create a conceptual map to show the connections between the ideas and concepts you have learned, as well as the connections to modern society. Dedicate about 2 hours to this activity.
Finally, each group member should collaborate on writing the project report. Use the Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography sections to guide your writing.

Project Deliverables

The produced conceptual map, which should be clear, clean, and detailed, representing the complexity of the researched connections.
A presentation of the focus activity performed, whether in the form of a theatrical reproduction, a recorded debate, or a panel discussion, etc.
A well-crafted report containing the research conducted, the development of activities, the conclusions drawn, and the bibliography. The report should have a clear emphasis on the theory related to the chosen topic, the methodology used for research and project development, a discussion of the results, and a conclusion emphasizing the learnings and discoveries made during the project.

In writing the report: the introduction should contextualize Ancient Greece and the relevance of the chosen theme to our society; the development should discuss how the project was carried out, the findings made, and how they fit into the learned theory; the conclusion should integrate everything, reinforcing what was learned and how it applies to contemporary society; the bibliography should list all sources of information used during the process.

Remember: the final delivery should demonstrate research skills, theoretical understanding, teamwork collaboration, and practical application of your learning.