Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 7 HASS
Year 7 HASS: the ancient world. Students investigate deep time history, methods of historical inquiry, and the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean, Asia, and beyond.
Investigating the Ancient Past
Students learn how historians and archaeologists investigate the ancient past, examining sources, evidence, and the methods used to reconstruct history from fragments.
The methods historians and archaeologists use to investigate ancient civilisations, including artefacts, ruins, written records, and oral traditions.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have inhabited Australia for over 65,000 years, making theirs the longest continuous civilisation on Earth.
How historians organise and make sense of the past, using timelines, periodisation, cause and effect, and continuity and change.
The importance of preserving heritage sites and the ethical issues surrounding the ownership of ancient artefacts.
An introduction to how science assists history through radiocarbon dating, DNA analysis, and stratigraphic dating.
Ancient Egypt
Students investigate the civilisation of ancient Egypt, one of the most remarkable and enduring societies in human history.
How the Nile River shaped Egyptian civilisation through agriculture, trade, settlement, and the annual flood.
The political and religious structure of ancient Egypt, including pharaohs as god-kings and the building of the pyramids.
The everyday lives of ordinary Egyptians: work, family, food, and the religious beliefs that shaped life.
Exploring the status of women in Egypt, from peasant workers to powerful female pharaohs like Hatshepsut.
The development of hieroglyphics, the role of scribes, and the significance of the Rosetta Stone.
How Egypt interacted with its neighbours in Nubia, Punt, and the Levant through trade and warfare.
Ancient Greece
Students explore the world of ancient Greece, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and ideas that shape the modern world.
The independent city-states of ancient Greece, including Athens, Sparta, and others, and their rivalry.
The invention of democracy in Athens: how it worked, who was included, and who was excluded.
The enduring legacy of ancient Greece: philosophy, theatre, the Olympics, and architecture.
The conflict between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire, including the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae.
The conquests of Alexander and the spread of Hellenistic culture across three continents.
The role of the Olympian gods, myths, and the Oracle of Delphi in Greek social life.
Ancient Rome
Students investigate the rise and fall of Rome, from a small city-state to a vast empire.
How Rome grew from a republic to a mighty empire, tracing the political changes and key figures.
Life in the Roman Empire: citizens and slaves, gladiators and senators, and engineering marvels.
Why the Roman Empire fell and the lasting impact of Roman civilisation on law and language.
The development of the Twelve Tables and the structure of the Roman Senate.
The transformation of Christianity from a persecuted sect to the official religion of the Empire.
Ancient India and China
Students explore the ancient civilisations of India and China, their achievements and lasting influence.
The advanced urban planning and mysterious script of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
The unification of India, the reign of Ashoka, and the Golden Age of Indian science.
Qin Shi Huang, the unification of China, the Great Wall, and the Terracotta Warriors.
The philosophical foundations of ancient Chinese society and their impact on governance.
The expansion of China and the establishment of international trade routes.
Economics and Business
Students explore the basic concepts of economics, including scarcity, resource allocation, and the role of consumers.
Understanding the fundamental economic problem: limited resources versus unlimited wants.
The relationship between those who buy goods and services and those who create them.
Exploring different types of work, the changing nature of jobs, and the skills needed for the future.
From small local shops to large multinational corporations and social enterprises.
The basics of managing money, saving, and understanding the risks of debt.
How the Australian government provides services and manages the economy through taxes.
Civics and Citizenship
Students investigate the features of Australia's democracy and the role of citizens in a diverse society.
The core values of Australian democracy, including freedom, equality, and the rule of law.
The origins of Australia's parliamentary system and the role of the Constitution.
How political parties represent different interests and compete for the chance to govern.
The ways in which citizens can participate in their democracy beyond just voting.
The process of how a bill becomes a law in the federal parliament.
How the court system works in Australia and the importance of an independent judiciary.
Exploring what it means to be Australian in a multicultural society, including First Nations perspectives.