Course Description:
Stage 6 Legal Studies provides a context for development of higher-order thinking skills necessary for further education, work and everyday life, and a range of other employability skills.
The Preliminary course develops students’ knowledge and understanding of the nature and functions of law and law-making, the development of Australian and international legal systems, the Australian Constitution, and law reform. It examines an individual’s rights and responsibilities, how disputes are resolved. Students have the opportunity to investigate issues that illustrate how the law operates in practice. This is achieved by investigating, analysing and synthesising legal information and investigating legal issues from a variety of perspectives.
The HSC course investigates the key areas of law and justice through a variety of focus studies (Crime, Human Rights, Family Law and Shelter) which consider how changes in societies influence law reform.
What will I be doing in this course?
Year 11:
- Core Part I: The Legal System
- Core Part II: The Individual and the Law (includes study of a contemporary issue: The Law and Technology)
- Core Part III: The Law in Practice (includes study of two issues: Native Title; and one other contemporary issue)
Year 12:
- Part I: Crime
- Part II: Human Rights (includes an investigation of a contemporary issue: Human Trafficking and Slavery)
- Part III: Options – students investigate two options
- Option 3: Family – students investigate the legal nature of family relationships and the effectiveness of the law in achieving justice)
- Option 5: Shelter – students investigate the legal means of securing shelter and the effectiveness of the law in achieving justice for people seeking and providing shelter
- Option 3: Family – students investigate the legal nature of family relationships and the effectiveness of the law in achieving justice)
How will this course help me in the future?
The Legal Studies course develops a students’ knowledge and understanding of the legal system and its effectiveness in promoting a just and fair society, with a view to empowering students to participate effectively as responsible citizens at the local, national and international level.
A student who successfully completes Legal Studies could look at further study leading to becoming a lawyer, or possible employment in areas such as politics, finance, sports, health. environmental protections, human resources and the media.