11–12Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus
The new Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.
2025 and 2026
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching new syllabuses for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Ancient History Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
- Start teaching new syllabuses for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC examination for new syllabus
Content
Life Skills
Through collaborative curriculum planning, it may be decided that Life Skills outcomes and content are the most appropriate option for some students with intellectual disability.
The following case studies are suggestions only. Teachers may develop ideas and concepts from these case studies to support student interests and abilities. Students may participate in a single case study, part of a case study, or elements of content as appropriate.
Case studies from Egypt, Greece, Rome and Celtic Europe
- Old Kingdom Egypt
- Tutankhamun’s tomb
- Deir el-Medina
- Alexandria
- Thera
- Troy
- The Roman games
- The Celts
- Boudicca
- The Valley of the Queens
- Mycenae
- Greek drama
- The Etruscans
- The impact of expansion on Rome
- Tiberius Gracchus
- The city of Rome
- Roman Britain
Case studies from Australia, Asia, the Near East and the Americas
- Ancient Australia
- The Shang dynasty
- Ashoka
- Nineveh
- Persepolis
- Civilisations of the river – Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley
- Masada
- Palmyra and the Silk Road
- Teotihuacan
- Jericho
- Lachish
- The Akkadian Empire
- Carthage
- Hannibal and the Punic Wars
- The Battle of Red Cliffs
- The Moche
- The early Maya
Teachers may develop their own case studies, where appropriate, to meet student interests and abilities. If they do so, they should consider the following aspects in their case study:
- relevance to the present
- key historical features and issues
- the roles of individuals and groups within their chosen context
- key events and/or developments, and how they shape the past
- the significance of the site, individual or society
- impact and legacy
Significant events in their own life
Chronology of events in their own life
Significant people and places in their own life
Features of where they live
Significant artefacts from their own time and recent previous generations
Important characteristics of their own family, familiar groups and the community
Chronology of the selected case study, including placement in time of the society
Location and geographical features of the selected case study
Significant people, places, artefacts and events of the selected case study
The defining characteristics of the society of the selected case study
Connections to people, places or events of the selected case study
Early excavations and archaeological discoveries
Sites of importance for the selected case study
Sources and what they tell us about the selected case study
Different interpretations or representations of the selected case study over time
Methods of scientific analysis, including forensic techniques
Areas of historical controversy
Changing perspectives over time
Reliability and limitations of sources
Significant people and their impact
Way of life for different groups of people
Beliefs, spiritualities and practices, and why they were important
Role and status of different groups in the society
Interactions with neighbouring societies
The nature of weapons and warfare
Causes of conflict
Impacts of conflict
Significant aspects of culture, including traditions and celebrations
Developments in science, technology or medicine
How people participated in entertainment and recreation
Rise and decline of people, places and culture
Importance of sites to key groups of people
Status and depiction of different people, places and events
21st-century archaeology and ethical issues
Continuing traditions and practices
Influence of people, places or events of the selected case study on the modern world
Significance of the site today