Units 1 & 2 History - Empires

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In Units 1 and 2 Empires, students investigate the foundations and features of empires and the significant global changes they brought to the wider world in the early modern period. Empires at their core were expansionist, dominating trade and political influence in their regional or global contexts. A range of key factors arising from the social, political, economic, cultural, religious, environmental and technological features of Empires played a role in the ambition and quest for power, prestige and influence over rival and competing states.  

In developing a course, teachers select two empires to be studied, one empire for Unit 1 and one empire for Unit 2. The empire selected for Area of Study 1, Unit 1 must be selected for Area of Study 2, Unit 1. The empire selected for Area of Study 1, Unit 2 must be selected for Area of Study 2, Unit 2. Select two empires from the following eleven options:

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Ottoman Empire (1299–1699)

Venetian Empire (1300–1797)

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Portuguese Empire (1415–1822)

Spanish Empire (1492–1713)

Mughal Empire (1526–1758)

Russian Empire (1552–1894)

Dutch Empire (1543–1795)

British Empire (1583–1788)

French Empire (1605–1774)

Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)

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Semester 1

Area of Study 1: The rise of empires

Learning Standards:

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• ‍What were the foundations and features of the empire?
• What were the significant events and motivating forces that led to the rise of the empire?
• How did individuals, ideas and technologies contribute to the rise and expansion of the empire?
• How did the empire use and express its wealth and power?

Semester 2

Area of study 2: Encounters, challenge and change

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• ‍How did the empire manage and consolidate its power and influence?
• How did daily life change through exchanges between empire and its colonies?
• What were the consequences of encounters between empire and indigenous peoples?
• To what extent did the empire decline and/or collapse?
• What were the significant legacies of the empire?

All assessments at Units 1 and 2 are school-based.

For Unit 1 students are required to demonstrate two outcomes. As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit.

For Unit 2 students are required to demonstrate two outcomes. As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit.

Suitable tasks for assessment in these units may be selected from the following:

• a historical inquiry
• an essay
• evaluation of historical sources
• short-answer questions
• extended responses
• a multimedia presentation

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Assessment:

Coursework: 70%

End of year examination: 30%

Prerequisites:

N/A

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Recommendations:

N/A