VCE Units 3 & 4 - Ancient History

VCE Units 3 & 4 - Ancient History

Overview

History introduces students to structured inquiry into the human actions, forces and conditions that have shaped the past and present. VCE History enables students to explore a variety of eras and periods, events, people, and ideas. Ancient History investigates individuals and societies, within New Kingdom Egypt and Greece.

Unit 3 – Ancient Egypt (1550-1069 BCE)

Unit 3 investigates the features of life in Egypt during the New Kingdom Period, including the social, political, and economic features of Thebes to 1069 BCE. An examination of the causes and consequences of warfare and its effect on life in Egypt is undertaken. Students construct an argument about the past using historical sources as evidence and evaluate the role of individuals in key events.

Areas of Study:

  1. Living in an ancient society – Focuses on the historical significance of the social, political, and economic features of New Kingdom Egypt.
  2. People in power, societies in crisis – Focuses on a period of crisis in Egypt, with reference to four key individuals and their role in shaping events.

Unit 4 – Ancient Greece (800-454 BCE)

Unit 4 investigates the features of life in Ancient Greece. Students analyse the social, political, and economic features of Athens and Sparta to 454 BCE. They explore how social features, such as the existence of hierarchies, influenced the experiences of individuals. Students investigate the significance of political institutions and the distribution and expression of power between groups. The significance of the economic features of life, including agriculture, industry and trade will also be studied.

Areas of Study:

  1. Living in an ancient society – Focuses on the historical significance of the social, political, and economic features of Greece.
  2. People in power, societies in crisis – Focuses on a period of crisis in Greece, with reference to key individuals and their role in shaping events.

Forms of Assessment

  • Historical Inquiry
  • Source Analysis
  • Historical Interpretation
  • Essay

Prerequisites and Corequisites

There are no prerequisites for entry to Unit 3 but students must undertake Unit 3 and Unit 4 as a sequence.

Link to Study Design

VCE History 2022-2026 Study Design