Year 7 Humanities Curriculum
Overview 2016
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Unit and Topic
Investigating the Ancient Past
Methods
AAA – Archaeology, Archives and Analysis
Investigating the Ancient Past
Australia
Sources and Conservation
The Mediterranean world
60,000 BC – c.650 AD
Rome – depth study
*Suggested inclusion - Civics and Citizenship “Origins of Democracy”
Geography
Physical Phenomena
Natural Hazards
Geography
Regional Characteristics
Australia, Asia, The Pacific and Antarctica
The Asian world
60,000 BC – c.650 AD
China – depth study
*It is recommended that mapping and map skills be integrated into the Historical studies
AusVELS Elaborations
Year 7 Level Description
The Ancient World
The Level 7 curriculum provides a study of history from the time of the earliest human communities
to the end of the ancient period, approximately 60 000 BC (BCE) – c.650 AD (CE). It was a period
defined by the development of cultural practices and organised societies. The study of
the ancient world includes the discoveries (the remains of the past and what we know) and the
mysteries (what we do not know) about this period of history, in a range of societies including
Australia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and India.
The content provides opportunities to develop historical understanding through key concepts,
including
evidence,
continuity
and
change,
cause
and
effect,
perspectives,
empathy, significance and contestability. These concepts may be investigated within a particular
historical context to facilitate an understanding of the past and to provide a focus for historical
inquiries.
The history content at this level involves two strands: Historical Knowledge and
Understanding and Historical Skills. These strands are interrelated and should be taught in an
integrated way; and in ways that are appropriate to specific local contexts. The order and detail in
which they are taught are programming decisions.
A framework for developing students’ historical knowledge, understanding and skills is provided
by inquiry questions through the use and interpretation of sources. The key inquiry questions at this
level are:
Key inquiry questions




How do we know about the ancient past?
Why and where did the earliest societies develop?
What emerged as the defining characteristics of ancient societies?
What have been the legacies of ancient societies?
Weeks 1-5
Investigating the Ancient Past
Methods
AAA – Archaeology, Archives and Analysis
AusVELS Content Descriptors:

How historians and archaeologists investigate history, including excavation and archival
research (ACDSEH001)

The range of sources that can be used in an historical investigation, including archaeological and written
sources(ACDSEH029)

The methods and sources used to investigate at least ONE historical controversy or mystery that has
challenged historians or archaeologists, such as in the analysis of unidentified human
remains (ACDSEH030)
Weeks 6-10
Investigating the Ancient Past
Australia
Sources and Conservation
AusVELS Content Descriptors:

The nature of the sources for ancient Australia and what they reveal about Australia’s past in
the ancient period, such as the use of resources

(ACDSEH031)
The importance of conserving the remains of the ancient past, including the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Peoples. (ACDSEH148)
Weeks 11-20
The Mediterranean world
60,000 BC – c.650 AD
Rome – depth study
*Suggested inclusion - Civics and Citizenship “Origins of Democracy”
AusVELS Content Descriptors:

The physical features of ancient Rome (such as the River Tiber) and how they influenced the civilisation that
developed there.(ACDSEH004)

Roles of key groups in ancient Roman society (such as patricians, plebeians, women, slaves), including the
influence of law and religion. (ACDSEH038)

The significant beliefs, values and practices of the ancient Romans, with a particular emphasis on ONE of
the following areas: everyday life, warfare, or death and funerary customs.(ACDSEH039)

Contacts and conflicts within and/or with other societies, resulting in developments such as the expansion of
trade, the rise of the Roman empire (including its material remains), and the spread of religious
beliefs (ACDSEH040)

The role of a significant individual in ancient Rome’s history such as Julius Caesar or
Augustus (ACDSEH131)
*Civics and Citizenship content descriptors:

Study the origins of democracy and various other types of government in an historical context.

They learn about how past societies such as Ancient Greece and Rome have influenced modern
democracies.
Weeks 21-25
Geography
Physical Phenomena
Natural Hazards
AusVELS Content Descriptors:

Students extend their knowledge and understanding of physical phenomena, including natural hazards, and
of the physical processes that produce them.

identify patterns of distribution and occurrence of major physical features
Weeks 26-30
Geography
Regional Characteristics
Australia, Asia, The Pacific and Antarctica
AusVELS Content Descriptors:

Students become aware of contrasts within the regions of Australia and those surrounding it from their
investigation of a number of smaller regions such as South-East Asia, the South Pacific nations and Papua
New Guinea.

They develop an appreciation of differences in the culture, living conditions and outlooks of people, including
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in these areas.
Weeks 31-40
The Asian world
60,000 BC – c.650 AD
China – depth study
AusVELS Content Descriptors:

Students The physical features of China (such as the Yellow River) and how they influenced the civilisation
that developed there(ACDSEH005)

Roles of key groups in Chinese society in this period (such as kings, emperors, scholars, craftsmen,
women), including the influence of law and religion. (ACDSEH041)

The significant beliefs, values and practices of Chinese society, with a particular emphasis on ONE of the
following areas: everyday life, warfare, or death and funerary customs(ACDSEH042)

Contacts and conflicts within and/or with other societies, resulting in developments such as the expansion of
trade, the rise of Imperial China (including its material remains), and the spread of philosophies and
beliefs (ACDSEH043)

The role of a significant individual in ancient Chinese history such as Confucius or Qin Shi
Huang (ACDSEH132)
AusVELS Geography – Maps and Mapping
To be incorporated into Historical studies as well

Observing basic mapping conventions, students learn to draw overlay theme maps. They recognise that
parts of the Earth’s surface can be represented in various ways, at different scales, and from different
perspectives on a range of maps, photographs and satellite images.