Does this subject contribute to an ATAR? Yes (General Subject)
How many credits does this subject contribute towards QCE? 4
What is Ancient History?
History provides opportunities for students to study people, societies and civilisations of the past,
from the development of the earliest human communities to the end of the Middle Ages in Ancient History, and key developments in the 19th and 20th century in Modern History. Students explore the interaction of societies, and the impact of individuals and groups on events and ways of life, and study the development of some features of modern society, such as social organisation, systems of law, governance and religion.
Students analyse and interpret archaeological and written evidence. They develop increasingly sophisticated skills and understandings of historical issues and problems by interrogating the surviving evidence of ancient sites, societies, individuals and significant historical periods. They investigate the problematic nature of evidence, pose increasingly complex questions about the past and formulate reasoned responses.
Students gain multi-disciplinary skills in analysing textual and visual sources, constructing arguments, challenging assumptions, and thinking both creatively and critically.
In year 10 this is a combined Modern and Ancient program, that branches off in year 11/12 to a program that is solely Modern History or Ancient History, based on class decisions and student numbers.
What makes a student suited to Ancient History?
Students who achieve success in Ancient History are those who:
- have an inquiring mind, an interest in the human story and are considering university study
- are critical and analytical thinkers
- have demonstrated a solid ability to comprehend written and visual text
- are able to work both independently and in a team environment
What prerequisites must students meet in order to take this subject?Year 9 - NIL
Year 10 - NIL
What is the cost of this subject?Nil - all costs covered by Student Resource Scheme.
Excursions – possible cost for optional excursion opportunities
What materials or equipment do I need for this subject?
- Compulsory BYOD
- A4 Exercise book (minimum 96 pages)
- Highlighters
- Blue, black and red pens
What do students study in this subject and how are they assessed?
(Note – Year 11 and 12 examples are of the Ancient History Syllabus)
| | Unit Overviews | Assessment |
Year 10 | Semester 1 | World War Two (Modern) Causes, Hitler, conflicts in Germany, eugenics Emperor Nero (Ancient) Leadership, absolute power and corruption, analysis of ancient evidence
| Summative internal assessment 1: • Examination: Short Response to Historical Sources
Summative internal assessment 2:
• Examination: Essay in response to sources
|
| Semester 2 | Religion in the Ancient and Modern World Greco-Roman religions, the Crusades, Modern religious conflict Political Revolutions throughout History Empires, Democracy, Dictatorships and Governmental shifts
| Summative internal assessment 3: • Investigation: Independent Source Analysis Summative internal assessment 4: • Investigation: Research Essay
|
Year 11 | Unit 1 | Investigating the ancient world Digging up the past and one of the following Ancient societies A choice of: Slavery, Technology and engineering, The family, Beliefs, rituals and funerary practices. | Formative internal assessment 1: 25% • Examination: Short Response to Historical Sources Formative internal assessment 2: 25% • Investigation: Independent Source Analysis
|
| Unit 2 | Personalities in their time (Ancient) - Hatshepsut - Pharaoh of Egypt - Alexander the Great | Formative internal assessment 3: 25% • Investigation: Research Essay Formative internal assessment 4: 25% • Examination: Essay in response to sources
|
Year 12 | Unit 3 | Reconstructing the ancient world - Fifth Century Athens (BCE) - Greece - Pompeii and Herculaneum - Rome
| Summative internal assessment 1 (IA1): 25% • Examination: Essay in response to sources
Summative internal assessment 2 (IA2): 25% • Investigation: Independent Source Analysis |
| Unit 4 | People, power and authority (Ancient) - Ancient Rome — Civil War and the breakdown of the Republic QCAA will nominate one topic that will be the basis for an external examination from: Thutmose III, Rameses II, Themistokles, Alkibiades, Scipio Africanus, Caesar, Augustus
| Summative internal assessment 3 (IA3): 25% • Investigation: Research Essay Summative external assessment (EA): 25% • Examination: Short Response to Historical Sources
|