Stage 1 | Subject Outline | Version control

Ancient Studies Stage 1
Subject outline

Version 4.0 - For teaching in 2024.
Accredited in May 2016 for teaching at Stage 1 from 2017.

Stage 1 | Subject outline | Performance standards

Performance standards

Stage 1 performance standards for Ancient Studies can be viewed below. You can also download in Word format [DOC 323KB].

To learn more about what performance standards are, how they are used, and other general information, see performance standards and grades

  Knowledge and Understanding  Research and Analysis  Application 
A

In-depth knowledge and critical understanding of texts, artefacts, ideas, events, and/or people of the ancient world.

Discerning and well-informed recognition of, and insightful reflection on, life in the ancient world, including beliefs, attitudes, and/or values.

Insightful knowledge and understanding of the nature of literary, historical and/or archaeological evidence. 

Comprehensive research and critical analysis of appropriate primary and secondary sources and perspectives.

Insightful research into and understanding of ideas or innovations that emerged from the ancient world, and in-depth consideration of their influence. 

Comprehensive synthesis of evidence and appropriate and consistent acknowledgment of sources.

Clear, precise, and highly persuasive communication of ideas and arguments, using subject-specific language.


Perceptive, consistent, and accurate evaluation of the nature of sources and evidence. 

B

Some depth of knowledge and understanding of texts, artefacts, ideas, events, and/or people of the ancient world.

Well-informed recognition of, and thoughtful reflection on, life in the ancient world, including beliefs, attitudes, and/or values.

Some depth of knowledge and understanding of the nature of literary, historical and/or archaeological evidence.

Well-considered research and critical analysis of appropriate primary and secondary sources and perspectives.

Thoughtful research into and understanding of ideas and innovations that emerged from the ancient world, or some depth of consideration of their influence.

Well-considered synthesis of evidence and appropriate acknowledgment of sources.

Clear and persuasive communication of ideas and arguments, using subject-specific language.

Consistent and accurate evaluation of the nature of sources and evidence.

C

Knowledge and understanding of texts, artefacts, ideas, events, and/or people of the ancient world.

Generally informed recognition of, and considered reflection on, life in the ancient world, including beliefs, attitudes, and/or values.

Knowledge and understanding of the nature of literary, historical and/or archaeological evidence. 

Competent research and analysis of appropriate primary and secondary sources and perspectives.

Research into and understanding of ideas and innovations that emerged from the ancient world, or consideration of their influence.

Description and some synthesis of evidence and acknowledgment of sources.

Informed communication of ideas and arguments, using some subject-specific language.

Consideration and some evaluation of the nature of sources and evidence. 

D

Recognition and basic understanding of texts, artefacts, ideas, events, and/or people of the ancient world.

Recognition and superficial consideration or description of life in the ancient world, including beliefs, attitudes, and/or values.

Recognition of one or more aspects of the nature of literary, historical and/or archaeological evidence.

Identification and basic consideration of primary and secondary sources and/or perspectives, mainly using description.

Recognition and superficial consideration of ideas or innovations that emerged from the ancient world.

Description of evidence with acknowledgment of sources.

Superficial communication of ideas and arguments.

Superficial consideration of the nature of sources and evidence. 

E

Limited awareness of an aspect of the ancient world.

Attempted description and emerging awareness of life in the ancient world, including beliefs, attitudes, or values.

Some awareness of literary, historical or archaeological evidence.

Limited identification or use of sources.

Some awareness of an idea or innovation that emerged from the ancient world. 

Attempted description of evidence.

Attempted communication of an idea or one or more points towards an argument.

Limited consideration of a source.