Legal Studies
Units 1 & 2
Students who undertake VCE Legal Studies will have the opportunity to examine the institutions and principles which are essential to Australia’s legal system in everyday life. Students will also develop an understanding of the rule of law and it’s connection to people in society, law-makers, key legal institutions, the protection of human rights in Australia, and the justice system.
UNIT 1
Guilt and Liability 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.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Study of legislation and relevant cases, role plays, group tasks and analysis/evaluation of modern and historical law in Australia.
ASSESSED TASKS The student’s performance on each outcome will be assessed using one or more of the following: a case study, structured questions, an essay, a report in written format, a report in multimedia format or a folio of exercises. An exam is delivered at the end of each unit
UNIT 2
Sanctions, Remedies & Rights In Unit 2, students undertake a detailed investigation of two criminal cases and two civil cases from the past four years to form a judgment about the ability of sanctions and remedies to achieve the principles of justice. Students develop their understanding of the way rights are protected in Australia and in another country, and possible reforms to the protection of rights. They examine a significant case in relation to the protection of rights in Australia.
LEARNING OUTCOMES • Civil disputes –explain the principles of civil law and be able to apply them to one or more real or hypothetical cases to justify a decision. • Civil law in action –evaluation of the processes for the resolution of civil disputes and analyse the capacity of these processes to achieve justice. • The law in focus –examination of one or more areas of law.
KEY SKILLS Students should have an interest in and awareness of current legal issues and a willingness to unpack recent and relevant cases and laws during classroom discussion. Students will move towards employing high level thinking and analysis skills. Students will argue their points and apply their knowledge of the law to legal cases. Writing skills will also be developed with a specific focus on writing under a legal framework.
Units 3 & 4
UNIT 3
Rights and Justice The Victorian justice system, which includes the criminal and civil justice systems, aims to protect the rights of individuals and uphold the principles of justice: fairness, equality and access. 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES Study of legislation and relevant cases, role plays, group tasks and analysis/evaluation of modern and historical law in Australia.
ASSESSED TASKS The student’s performance on each outcome will be assessed using one or more of the following: a case study, structured questions, an essay, a report in written format, a report in multimedia format or a folio of exercises. UNIT 4: People and the Law The study of Australia’s laws and legal system involves an understanding of institutions that make and reform our laws, and the relationship between the Australian people, the Australian Constitution and law-making bodies. 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES • Criminal cases and civil disputes –describe and evaluate the effectiveness of institutions for the resolution of civil disputes and the adjudication of criminal cases and of alternative dispute resolution methods. • Court processes and procedures –explain the elements of an effective legal system, and evaluate the processes and procedures for the resolution of criminal cases and civil disputes and discuss their effectiveness.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Students should be highly motivated, well organised and able to manage their time effectively. During the year students will continue to develop their legal writing skills and awareness of current legal issues. Students are expected to apply legal reasoning to actual or hypothetical scenarios and will discuss to what extent, evaluate, synthesis and justify their reasoning using legal principles and key legal terminology.