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 New Kingdom Egypt
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 roles and images of the pharaoh and the concept of Ma’at
The roles of the vizier and members of the religious, administrative and military elites
The roles and status of royal and non-royal women
The roles and status of scribes, artisans and agricultural workers
The nature and significance of the army
The importance of the Nile
Economic exchange, including taxation, booty, tribute and trade
Role of occupations, crafts and industry
Technology, including building techniques and irrigation works
Gods and goddesses, cults and priesthoods
The role of festivals, including Opet, Beautiful Feast of the Valley and Heb-Sed
Funerary customs, rituals, afterlife concepts and mummification
Funerary texts, including The book of the dead and the Amduat
The architecture and function of temples, including those at Karnak and Luxor
The architecture and decoration of tombs
Writing and literature, including wisdom literature and the Papyrus Ebers