INVESTIGATING CIVILISATIONS

The purpose of this book (The Persians) and others in the series is to introduce 13 -14 year old learners to the ancient world.

Our assumptions are:

• "Classical civilisations" should include more than Greece and Rome (eg Persia, Egypt, the Middle East).
• The reason for studying the ancient world should be to illuminate and help explain the modern world.
• Study should be based on original source material, stories and artefacts. Illustrations will invite response and discussion.
• Focus should be on ideas and issues rather than facts, presented in a way that is relevant and important to the experience of learners at KS3 (the material should not be an account of daily life in classical times).
• Frequent opportunities should be provided for learners to react to the material through personal response, discussion, activities.
• A comprehensive teachers' guide should make the book usable by non-specialist teachers.
• Support for teachers should be available through a dedicated web site.
• All written source material should be freshly translated using appropriate language.
• The course should not seek to be non-controversial. Learners should become aware that Classical Studies is a lively subject sometimes exciting passionate views! (Though the teachers' guide will point out where ideas are currently in dispute)