Legal Studies

Learning Area Leader: Mr De Souza

The study of VCE Legal Studies enables students to become active and informed citizens by providing them with valuable insights into their relationship with the law and the legal system. They develop knowledge and skills that enhance their confidence and ability to access and participate in the legal system. Students come to appreciate how legal systems and processes aim to achieve social cohesion, and how they themselves can create positive changes to laws and the legal system. VCE Legal Studies equips students with the ability to research and analyse legal information and apply legal reasoning and decision-making skills, and fosters critical thinking to solve legal problems.

Career Paths / Future Directions:

Law, Lawyer, Paralegal, Law enforcement, Legal Secretary, Correctional Services, Criminology, Public Service, Social Work, Education

Unit 1 – Guilt and Liability (Code: LEGA11)

Description

In this unit students develop an understanding of legal foundations, such as the different types and sources of law and the existence of a court hierarchy in Victoria. Students investigate key concepts of criminal law and civil law and apply these to actual and/or hypothetical scenarios to determine whether an accused may be found guilty of a crime, or liable in a civil dispute.

Outcomes

• Describe the main sources and types of law, and assess the effectiveness of laws.

• Explain the purposes and key concepts of criminal law.

• Explain the purposes and key concepts of civil law.

• Apply legal reasoning.

Unit 2 – Sanctions, Remedies and Rights (Code: LEGA22)

Description

This unit focuses on the enforcement of criminal law and civil law, the methods and institutions that may be used to determine a criminal case or resolve a civil dispute, and the purposes and types of sanctions and remedies and their effectiveness.

Outcomes

• Explain key concepts in the determination of a criminal case, and discuss the principles of justice in relation to the determination of criminal cases, sanctions and sentencing approaches.

• Explain and evaluate the processes for the resolution of civil dispute.

• Evaluate the ways in which rights are protected in Australia, compare this approach with that adopted by another country.

Unit 1 & 2 Assessment

• Court case report (written, oral or multi-media)

• Case study and structured assignment

• Folio of work

• Examination based on Units 1&2

Unit 3 – Rights and Justice (Code: LEGA33)

Description

In this unit students examine the methods and institutions in the justice system and consider their appropriateness in determining criminal cases and resolving civil disputes. Students consider the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Supreme Court within the Victorian court hierarchy, as well as other Victorian legal institutions and bodies available to assist with cases. Students explore matters such as the rights available to an accused and to victims in the criminal justice system, the roles of the judge, jury, legal practitioners and the parties, and the ability of sanctions and remedies to achieve their purposes. Students investigate the extent to which the principles of justice are upheld in the justice system.

Outcomes

• Explain the rights of the accused and of victims in the criminal justice system.

• Analyse the factors to consider when initiating a civil claim, discuss the institutions and methods used to resolve civil disputes and evaluate the ability of the civil justice system to achieve the principles of justice.

Unit 4 – The People and the Law (Code: LEGA44)

Description

In this unit, students explore how the Australian Constitution establishes the law-making powers of the Commonwealth and state parliaments, and protects the Australian people through structures that act as a check on parliament in law-making. Students develop an understanding of the significance of the High Court in protecting and interpreting the Australian Constitution.

Outcomes

• Discuss the significance of High Court cases involving the interpretation of the Australian Constitution and evaluate the ways in which the Australian Constitution acts as a check on parliament in law-making.

• Discuss the factors that affect the ability of parliament and courts to make law, evaluate the ability of these law-makers to respond to the need for law reform, and analyse how individuals, the media and law reform bodies can influence a change in the law.

Units 3 & 4 Assessment

• Case study

• Structured questions

• Test

• Essay

• Written report

• Multi-media report

• Folio of exercises

Unit 3 Coursework 25%

Unit 4 Coursework 25%

Written Examination 50%