First thing, they were not specifically studying "Jason" per se. One of the girls was assigned to make a movie poster from a list of Greek stories and she chose the story of "Jason."
But lest you still think that these children did not have but one single subject on their little academic minds, let's recap the conversation.
I simply asked both girls (independently, since the older girl wasn't in the room when I first asked the younger child) what were they studying in school this week.
They did not say English.
They did not say math.
They did not say science.
They did not say history.
They did not even say "Jason and the Golden Fleece."
Both simply answered, "The Greeks." No more, no less. (Until I question further.)
That's not very subliminal in my book. Besides, you should realize that subliminal advertising works best when it is, well, subliminal. Even today's dumbed-down children can perform some mental association. If they couldn't do you think Madison Avenue would be spending so many millions of dollars on advertising to children?
Besides, I suspect that the real targets are not the young children, but rather the parents who will undoubtedly get the idea that taking the family to see the latest and greatest movie about "The Greeks" (now playing in a theater near you), will be a great way to help their little darlings with their school work.
Obviously you have no idea whatsoever of the level of thinking of 3rd and 5th graders. Details that you as an adult consider important are of little consequence to them at their age. They were telling you, probably, the things in school that they were doing that were of most interest to them. I'm willing to lay you a money bet that their teachers haven't dropped all of their other subjects in order to try and lure them and their families to the movies.
But "Troy" is rated R. Why would they be aiming subliminal messages at 3rd graders? 5th, maybe, maybe. Not 3rd graders.
Anyway, if you ask what they're studying "this week", they'll tell you the thing that is specific to this week. They do math every week, I hope. "The Greeks" is the newest thing for them to learn.
And my children routinely tell me they do nothing at school. I don't happen to believe it. The only time I get a real response is when they are doing something they find interesting or exciting. I wouldn't be at all surprised if both teachers had said to their classes, "This week we will learn about The Greeks."
Your assumption is silly.