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 Minoan Crete
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
Issues relating to the gender and identity of the ruler(s)
The roles of the palace elite, bureaucracy, priests and priestesses
The roles and status of women
Craftsmen and agricultural workers
The palace economy and the role of towns
Agriculture, trade and economic exchange
The concept of thalassocracy
The role of occupations, crafts and industry
Technology, including building techniques and ashlar masonry
Myths and legends relating to the Minoans, including Theseus and the Minotaur
Religious symbols, including the labrys and the ‘horns of consecration’
Religious places, including peak sanctuaries, pillar crypts and lustral basins
Funerary customs, rituals and tombs
Art, including frescoes, pottery and seals
The architecture of palace complexes, including Knossos and Phaistos