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11–12History Extension 11–12 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2026
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Year 12

Constructing history – Case studies

Historiographical skills

Students use a variety of sources to:

  • identify and analyse differing historical and historiographical interpretations or issues
  • explain why different producers of history have differing perspectives and approaches
  • develop and challenge a view(s) about historical or historiographical issues.

The historiographical skills are to be integrated with the selected case study.

Students explore ONE case study with reference to the producers of history, and their perspectives and approaches, which have led to change in the THREE areas of historiographical interpretation. Further information on these areas of historiographical interpretation is provided in syllabus support materials. Students apply their understanding of the following questions to the selected case study:

  • Who are the producers of history in different eras?
  • How has history been constructed, recorded and presented in different eras?
  • Why have approaches to history changed in different eras?

Choose ONE of the following case studies:

  • Cleopatra VII
  • Athenian democracy
  • Rome and the provinces
  • Early Christianity
  • The collapse of the Western Roman Empire
  • The Crusades
  • Genghis Khan
  • Witch hunts and trials in the early modern era
  • Elizabeth I
  • Spain and the Mexica
  • Catherine the Great
  • Napoleon
  • Western imperialism in the 19th century
  • The Opium Wars
  • Winston Churchill
  • Appeasement
  • The partition of India
  • John Fitzgerald Kennedy
  • Margaret Thatcher
  • The frontier in Australia
  • Women convicts in New South Wales
  • The Anzacs
The collapse of the Western Roman Empire

Areas of historiographical interpretation

  • The reasons for the ‘decline and fall’

  • The extent of ‘decline’

  • The origins and nature of ‘barbarian’ groups

Related files