Legal Studies

Length of Course

Semester, Full Year

Level

Marian - Year 11

Category

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

Core or Elective

Elective

Pre-requisites

N/A

Subject Description

In Stage 1 Legal Studies, students focus on the use of laws and legal systems to create harmony within dynamic and evolving communities. Through an inquiry-based process, students explore and develop their understanding of the concepts of rights, fairness and justice, power, and change. These concepts are examined in the context of law-making, law enforcement, and dispute resolution, and should be applied to a range of contemporary Australian issues.

Content

Topics covered are taken from the following areas:

Compulsory topic: Law and communities

  • Rule of law
  • Democracy
  • Representative government
  • Separation of powers
  • Impact of the media on our perception of the government, law, and justice
  • Changes in societal values and the impact of these changes on our laws

Additional topics

  • Young people and the law
  • Women and the law
  • Environment and the law
  • Refugees and asylum seekers and the law
  • Crime, law, and punishment
  • Minority groups and the law
  • Family law
Assessment

At Stage 1, assessments are school based. Teachers make decisions about the extent and quality of the evidence of student learning with reference to the SACE performance standards.

Students have the opportunity to demonstrate evidence of their learning in Stage 1 Legal Studies through the following assessment types:

Assessment Type 1: Analytical Response
Assessment Type 2: Inquiry
Assessment Type 3: Presentation

Pathways for Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

Click a subject to view its pathway

Subject added

Marian - Year 11 - Legal Studies