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 develop an understanding of ONE ancient personality, through the investigation of 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 of ONE of the following personalities:
- Egypt – Hatshepsut
- Egypt – Akhenaten
- The Near East – Xerxes
- China – Qin Shi Huangdi
- Greece – Pericles
- Greece – Alexander the Great
- Rome – Julius Caesar
- Rome – Agrippina the Younger.
The geography of Egypt and its neighbours
The roles and images of Egyptian kings
Family background and early years
Marriage, queens and consorts
Relationship with Amenhotep III
Early building program, including East Karnak
The political and religious motives for the transfer of the capital to Akhetaten
The function and layout of Akhetaten
The nature and impact of religious policies
Artistic innovations and representations of the Aten, Akhenaten and the royal family
The role of Nefertiti and the issue of the co-regency
Foreign policy towards Nubia and the Levant
Impact and influence
Ancient and modern images and interpretations of Akhenaten
Problems of evidence, including the value and limitations of ONE ancient source or type of source, in the context of other available sources