In Year 12 students read a wide range of original Latin texts. Students are encouraged to explore the texts they read in depth, both as literature and as historical and cultural artefacts. The study of VCE Latin culminates in the reading of a part of the most renowned work of Latin literature, Virgil’s Aeneid.
In Year 12 Latin students study a range of different texts with a focus on the stories and events that helped shape Roman society and ways of thinking in the Ciceronian and Augustan ages. These may be broken into three broad categories:
Prose texts focusing upon the history and politics of the Republic and early Empire expose students to the written style of authors like Caesar, Tacitus, Pliny and Cicero. Students are encouraged to reflect on and appreciate the compositional and lexical choices made by these writers, as well as the way in which their works influenced their audiences.
Poetry that primarily focuses upon the mythical and semi-mythical past of Rome and Greece immerses students in the rich cultural heritage of the Classical world, while the more personal reflections of poets like Martial, Horace and Ovid provide an insight into the thoughts and feelings of individuals. Through exposure to these works students deepen their understanding of the values and ideas that helped shape Roman history and society, many of which remain relevant even today.
The prescribed text for Unit 4 is Virgil’s Aeneid, a tale of the founding of Rome and the adventures of her most illustrious hero, Aeneas. Through a close examination of a section of the text, students learn to identify and appreciate the use of poetic devices and to critically engage with the ideas and values embedded in one of the most influential works of literature ever written.
Unit 3 - Outcomes
For this unit, students are required to demonstrate the achievement of two outcomes divided into three tasks.
Outcome 1A: demonstrate a detailed knowledge of Latin accidence and syntax
Outcome 1B: respond to questions on the content, context and purpose of a seen passage of Latin
Outcome 2: translate an unseen passage of Latin accurately and fluently
Unit 4 - Outcomes
For this unit, students are required to demonstrate achievement of two outcomes.
Outcome 1: explain the grammar, context, content and literary devices used in a passage of the Aeneid
Outcome 2: analyse and discuss themes and ideas contained in the Aeneid
In addition to regular grammar, vocabulary and translation tests, students are required to sit outcome-specific tests as well as an examination at the end of Semester 2.
Assessment in Year 12 Latin has two components:
Five school-assesses tasks, undertaken as class tests during Terms 1, 2 and 3. These are based primarily on the texts studied in class, and assess a student’s knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, literary techniques and the cultural background of the texts.
An examination at the end of Term 4, set and marked by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. This contains (a) questions on Virgil’s Aeneid, and (b) an unseen Latin text that students must translate into English.
Each component is worth 50% of the final mark.
For more detailed information, please click on the link/s below: