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
Year 12
Students investigate key features of ONE ancient society through a range of archaeological and written sources and relevant historiographical issues.
The historical concepts and skills content is to be integrated as appropriate.
Students study key features and issues of the history of ONE of the following:
- New Kingdom Egypt to the death of Amenhotep III
- New Kingdom Egypt during the Ramesside period
- Israel from Solomon to the fall of Samaria
- Persia in the time of Darius and Xerxes
- China during the Han dynasty
- Minoan Crete in the Bronze Age
- Sparta to the Battle of Leuctra 371 BCE
- Athens in the time of Pericles.
Significance of the geographical setting, natural features and resources of ancient Sparta
The nature and range of sources for this period
Issues of ancient sources in understanding this society
Differing modern interpretations of a feature of this society
The Great Rhetra and the issue of Lycurgus
The roles and privileges of the 2 kings
Structure and features of government, including gerousia, ephorate and ekklesia
Roles and hierarchy, including Spartiates, perioikoi, hypomeiones and helots
The roles and status of women
The nature and role of the agōgē
The nature and significance of the Spartan army
Control of the helots
Land ownership and agriculture, kleroi and helots
The role of occupations, crafts and industry
Gods and goddesses, including Artemis Orthia and Apollo
The role of festivals, including the Hyakinthia, Gymnopaedia and Karneia
Funerary customs and rituals
The writing of Alcman and Tyrtaeus