Legal Studies

Course overview:

Legal Studies develops students’ knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking skills in relation to the Australian and international legal systems. Students explore how laws are created, interpreted, and enforced, and how the legal system promotes justice. Using a range of sources and evidence - including legislation, case studies, media, and legal documents - students investigate contemporary legal issues and assess the effectiveness of legal and non-legal responses. The course equips students with the skills and knowledge to participate as informed, responsible citizens in a democratic society.

Skills developed:

• Valuable to have: Interest in current issues, critical thinking, willingness to discuss and debate

• Skills developed:

  • Legal research and investigation

  • Analysis and evaluation of legal information and issues

  • Interpretation of legal documents and case studies

  • Effective communication using legal terminology and structured argumentation

  • Understanding legal perspectives, concepts, and terminology

• Students need to be prepared to:

  • Read and analyse legislation, case studies, and media reports

  • Develop well-structured written responses

  • Investigate differing perspectives and evaluate legal effectiveness

  • Regularly revise and practise at home to develop knowledge and skills

Assessment requirements:

Year 11:

• 3 assessment tasks, such as:

  • a media file

  • an extended response

  • a formal written examination

Year 12:

• 4 assessment tasks, such as:

  • research

  • an extended response

  • a task that is an assignment or investigation-style task

  • a formal written examination (Trial HSC)

The HSC Examination includes:

• Section I – Core: Crime and Human Rights (20 marks)

• There will be multiple choice questions to the value of 20 marks

• Section II – Core: Crime and Human Rights (30 marks)

Part A – Human Rights (15 marks)

• There will be short-answer questions to the value of 15 marks

       Part B – Crime (15 marks)

• There will be one extended response question to the value of 15 marks

• Section III – Options (50 marks)

• There will be seven extended response questions, one for each option

• Each question will be worth 25 marks

• Each question will have two alternatives

Future careers and possible study paths:

Legal Studies complements subjects like Modern History, Business Studies, and Society and Culture. It provides an excellent foundation for careers in law, policing, criminology, social justice, government, human rights, public policy, journalism, and international relations. University pathways include law, political science, social science, and humanities degrees.