11–12Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
The new Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027 and will replace the Ancient History Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).
2025 and 2026
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching the new syllabuses for Year 11
- Start implementing the 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 the new syllabuses for Year 12
- Start implementing the new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC examination for the 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 Israel
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 features of Israelite kingship and the Davidic dynasty
The roles and importance of prophets in Israelite society, including Elijah, Amos, Elisha and Hosea
The roles and status of the bureaucracy, landowners, merchant class, workers, artisans and enslaved people
The roles and status of royal and non-royal women
The nature and significance of the army
The role of agriculture, industry, crafts and occupations
Economic exchange, including trade with Judah and Assyria
Features of fortified cities, including silos and the Megiddo stables
The range of religious beliefs and practices, including polytheism, Ba’al and Yahweh
The roles of priests and prophets
The roles and importance of religious places, including the Jerusalem Temple
Art and architecture
Writing and literature, including the Biblical narrative and Samarian Ostraca