Does this subject contribute to an ATAR? Yes (General Subject)
How many credits does this subject contribute towards QCE? 4
What is Legal Studies?
Legal Studies focuses on the interaction between society and the discipline of law and explores the role and development of law in response to current issues. Students study the legal system and how it regulates activities and aims to protect the rights of individuals, while balancing these with obligations and responsibilities.
Students study the foundations of law, the criminal justice process and the civil justice system. They critically examine issues of governance, explore contemporary issues of law reform and change, and investigate Australian and international human rights issues.
Students develop skills of inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving and reasoning to make informed and ethical decisions and recommendations. They identify and describe legal issues, explore information and data, analyse, evaluate to make decisions and/or propose recommendations, and create responses that convey legal meaning. They question, explore and discuss tensions between changing social values, justice and equitable outcomes.
What makes a student suited to Legal Studies?
Students who achieve success in Legal Studies are those who:
- enjoy critical thinking, including analysing, evaluating and justifying
- have the ability to conduct a self-directed inquiry, based on an independently identified and developed legal issue
- have high level written and spoken communication skills
What prerequisites must students meet in order to take this subject?
Year 10 - Minimum of C Standard in Core English
Year 11 – Minimum of C Standard in Legal Studies or B Standard in Core English
What is the cost of this subject?
Excursions – each year there are a minimum of two excursions (approximately $50 for the year)
What materials or equipment do I need for this subject?
- A4 Notebook for record keeping of class notes and practice of skills
- BYOD laptop for extensive research tasks
What do students study in Legal Studies and how are they assessed?
| | | Unit Overviews
| Assessment |
| Year 10 | Semester 1 | Unit 1: The Legal System and Civil Wrongs
Topic 1: Legal Foundations
Unit 1: The Legal System and Civil Wrongs
Topic 2: Civil Law Foundations | Summative assessment 1: 25%
• Examination: Combination Response
Summative assessment 2: 25%
• Investigation: Inquiry Report |
| | Semester 2 | Unit 2: Criminal Law & Human Rights in Legal Contexts
Topic 3: Criminal Law Foundations
Unit 2: Criminal Law & Human Rights in Legal Contexts
Topic 4: Human Rights | Summative assessment 3: 25%
• Investigation: Argumentative Essay
Summative assessment 4: 25%
• Examination:
Combination Response |
| Year 11 | Unit 1 | Beyond reasonable doubt
• Legal foundations
• Criminal investigation process
• Criminal trial process
• Punishment and sentencing | Formative internal assessment 1: 25%
• Examination - Combination Response
Formative internal assessment 2: 25%
• Investigation - Inquiry Report |
| | Unit 2 | Balance of probabilities
• Civil law foundations
• Contractual obligations
• Negligence and the duty of care | Formative internal assessment 3: 25%
• Investigation - Argumentative Essay
Formative internal assessment 4: 25%
• Examination - Combination Response |
| Year 12 | Unit 3 | Law, governance and change
• Governance in Australia
• Law reform within a dynamic society | Summative internal assessment 1 (IA1): 25%
• Examination — combination response
Summative internal assessment 2 (IA2): 25%
• Investigation — inquiry report |
| | Unit 4 | Human rights in legal contexts
• Human rights
• The effectiveness of international law
• Human rights in Australian contexts | Summative internal assessment 3 (IA3): 25%
• Investigation — argumentative essay
Summative external assessment (EA): 25%
• Examination — combination response
|