The document provides information about what constitutes a "Classic" and discusses several Classical civilizations and eras. It outlines the "S.P.R.I.T.E." characteristics (social, political, religious, intellectual, technological, economic) that newspaper reporters studying one of the civilizations would focus on in their articles. The civilizations listed are Zhou/Qin China, Han Dynasty China, Mauryan Empire India, Greece, and Rome. Students are assigned to one of these civilizations to research and write news articles about different aspects of life during that era.