Engage

1. Introduce the word "ethos." Share a dictionary definition of the word, for instance: "the
spirit of a people, a civilization or a system as expressed in its culture, institutions, ways of
thought, philosophy and religion" and/or the distinguishing character or tone of a group."

Use the definition of the word "ethos" as a springboard for exploring students perceptions
of the "ethos" of modern Western culture, particularly as the Western "ethos" is filtered
through the lens of Americas vision. Ask students to define American ethos. What factors
influenced the development of this concept? How has it changed over time?

2. Divide the class into groups of three. Divide the following topics up among the groups.
Distribute the Perceptions Of The "Ethos" Of Modern Western Culture worksheet located
within the Resource Carousel to the students. Ask each group to discuss and negotiate a
written list of their best ideas about prevailing Western attitudes held or "best practices"
followed for each of the assigned topics below:
Design of government
Law as a societal force
A good person
A noble person
A good leader
A good citizen
A good athlete
The "good" life
Class structure
Role of women
Value of education
Outlook on what should be included in educating children
The process of rituals (funerals, weddings, coming of age, bestowing honor, etc.)
Justifications for going to war
A "true" patriot

Concept of a hero
Concept of "heroic"
Concept of the "other"

3. Have students share the lists in large group format. Encourage students to save their
notes for use as "measuring sticks" of ancient Greek influence on Western thought and
culture as they go forward in their examination of ancient Greek sources.

Build Knowledge

1. Using the Teachers Discussion Guide located within the Resource Carousel, initiate a
two-part discussion in which students share their conjectures about the following:
Specific processes through which ancient Greece influence has been infused and sustained
in Western thought and culture
Some aspects of ancient Greek influence that have had special impact on the shaping of the
Western "ethos", particularly that of America

Apply

1. Students will develop a personal essay entitled "The Ancient Greek in Me," in which
they share a soul-searching account of how something they value in an area of their life is
guided by an ideal aligned with an ideal handed down from ancient Greece. To help
students grasp the far-reaching influence of ancient Greece on our modern Western
culture, assignments may be given on topics that appeal to students special interests while
forcibly documenting the range and depth of ancient Greek influence.

Reflect

1. To help students grasp the far-reaching influence of ancient Greece on our modern
Western culture, assign students an independent study in which they will forcibly document
the range and depth of ancient Greek influence on Western culture. They should choose a
specific aspect of culture which will allow them to explore the Greek influence in depth.
Options for an independent study may include:

A formal research paper

A formal student-prepared "lesson" in which the student "teacher" draws on the members
of the class to inductively uncover specific ways an ancient Greek source has been used as
the centerpiece of a chosen topic
The development of a film or CD
A live performance
The development of a design for a Web interactive or the actual development of a Web
interactive
Independent Study Guidelines handout available within the Resource Carousel