A little advice? (1 Viewer)

[ancient_nut]

I've begun writing an ancient history study guide (I might get my friends involved to input on Ancient Greek and Latin, we'll see how we go). I just want to know what people struggle with the most in Ancient History- I'm currently working off my own sense plus that of the people I've tutored. But a wider opinion would be much appreciated. Also, could you list what you're studying so I know what's most popular? (yes, I am aware that everyone does Pompeii now).

Thanks very much

 

[rhapsody11]

I've begun writing an ancient history study guide (I might get my friends involved to input on Ancient Greek and Latin, we'll see how we go). I just want to know what people struggle with the most in Ancient History- I'm currently working off my own sense plus that of the people I've tutored. But a wider opinion would be much appreciated. Also, could you list what you're studying so I know what's most popular? (yes, I am aware that everyone does Pompeii now).

Thanks very much

Good luck, classics_lady.

I hope you're not as snobby as you are in your study guide (which, by the way, won't take off) as you are on these boards.

 

[ancient_nut]

I'm trying to help people, excuse me for trying to be nice. If I manage to publish, all well and good (money going towards classics at universities), if not, I might put it online.

I was trying to get input, not abuse. Thank you.

 

[angelduck]

maybe contact Board of Studies - they'd be able tot ell you the most popular topics

 

[rhapsody11]

they'd be able tot ell you the most popular topics

Hmm, I'm not sure if that's a moot point. classics_nut does Greek stuff, so that's what she'd be writing about.

Anyway, according to my notes, the most popular personalities (in order of popularity) are:

Hatshepsut < Agrippina < Xerxes < Julius Caesar < Akhenaten < Perikles < Cleopatra < Ramses II < Alexander < etc.

They don't give exact positions on societies, but these are the most popular:

NKE, Sparta, Minoan and Rome. If I were to guess, I'd say that it would go:

Sparta < Minoan < NKE < Rome.

Greece is the most popular Period; not sure which

Apparently, Egypt's the second most popular for the, with Ahmose - Thutmose being the second most popular, then Amenhotep - Ramses being the third.

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I find it odd that Hatshepsut is the most popular personality, but the period she belongs to is not the most studied. Usually, experienced teachers wouldn't get you to study more than two geographic locations (ie, Egypt, Rome, Greece, etc).

As you can see, Greece is hugely popular, and I would say to classics_nut that she should do a textbook soley on Greece.

I would probably advise that she would only include Perikles and Alexander (and not Cleopatra...), both Bronze Age societies (Minoan and Mycenean) as well as Sparta and Periklean Athens, and all three Greek Worlds (500-440, 446-399, and 300s-Alex).

 

[ancient_nut]

Greece is my area, although I think I know enough about Rome to be able to write about some of it with the help of books. I'd appreciate if you'd use the screen name given, or use my real name (it's Amy).

The most popular area isn't necessarily the one people need the most help with. Some areas are really tricky, and those who do it need some help. I think that sometimes a study guide is best when it's all encompassing (like the old Excel Ancient History, much better than the new ones- yes, I have both). The idea I have is all encompassing (no, I'm not putting it up, that would mean someone else may take it up before I've had time), and I haven't seen it done before.

Thanks for the advice so far!

 

[rhapsody11]

Greece is my area, although I think I know enough about Rome to be able to write about some of it with the help of books. I'd appreciate if you'd use the screen name given, or use my real name (it's Amy).

The most popular area isn't necessarily the one people need the most help with. Some areas are really tricky, and those who do it need some help. I think that sometimes a study guide is best when it's all encompassing (like the old Excel Ancient History, much better than the new ones- yes, I have both). The idea I have is all encompassing (no, I'm not putting it up, that would mean someone else may take it up before I've had time), and I haven't seen it done before.

Thanks for the advice so far!

That's an interesting idea, Amy.

Unfortunately, if you want to make your time worth-while, you'll need to have covered the popular areas to ensure that your guide itself becomes popular.

I actually want to do an Egypt HSC book myself, which I think I've said here before (I'm not stealing your thunder!). I'm still trying to think of a name. I like EGYPT: A Definitive HSC Guide or something equally to the point.

The book is going to be much more evidence-based, with a commentary on evidence or something. There's also going to be at least one picture per page. I hate plain text, it kills me.

I can only talk about the Egypt books, myself, which all suck. The Macquarie guide sucks, as do the excel books (I have both as well... and I agree, the old ones are better), as does Gae's attempt at a book and Lawless' trash. I only briefly looked at Bradley's book, and I personally prefer it out of all the HSC books.

I'm also considering doing a reader for the first-year Egyptology unit at Macquarie; it's very difficult to do well and enjoy it unless you're overly-passionate, as the lectures are boring and the readings are scattered throughout the library. The unit is totally archaeologically-based (no text) which confuses students as well.

The Ramesside section really catches people out - with most students not knowing about the Horus + Seth myth properly. Some teachers really should attent their obligatory training sessions...

 

[angelduck]

hmm, perhaps you shuld also include sample questions ad answers which would actually get good marks etc. And maybe something on how to analyse primary AND seconmdary sources - thewres sometimes a question in societies with a picci to be analysed and used in the answer, just a thought

 

[xeuyrawp]

hmm, perhaps you shuld also include sample questions ad answers which would actually get good marks etc.

I would be very hesitant to do that.

Questions are asked from the syllabus, and because all good books follow the syllabus, an essay would just be doubling up on that information.

There's also the issue that that idea encourages plagiarism. You could claim buyer beware, or teachers beware, but text-book writers have an ethical obligation.

And maybe something on how to analyse primary AND seconmdary sources - thewres sometimes a question in societies with a picci to be analysed and used in the answer, just a thought

Why secondary? :S

 

[niteshade1312]

May I ask why exactly you are writing a study Guide? I do understand that it is for the greater good of HSC students, but study guides dont really help because they are soo vague.. that's why students should be aided with work from historians, or do further researh. Unless you are talking about a study guide with techniques specialised for Ancient, like ways to incoporate quotes and evidence, then thats a great idea!

 

[xeuyrawp]

May I ask why exactly you are writing a study Guide? I do understand that it is for the greater good of HSC students, but study guides dont really help because they are soo vague.. that's why students should be aided with work from historians, or do further researh. Unless you are talking about a study guide with techniques specialised for Ancient, like ways to incoporate quotes and evidence, then thats a great idea!

She's not referring to something like the Excel study guide, but rather something more specific.

Also, as I've explained numerous times, it's unrealistic for students to read 'work from historians, or do further research'. I'm not going to elaborate on it, as I feel I have many times.