• Length of Study: Full Year
• Number of SACE Credits: 20
• Pre-Requisite Information: Highly Desirable Knowledge: At least a C grade in Stage 1 Legal Studies
  

Subject Overview

Legal Studies explores Australia’s legal heritage and the dynamic nature of the Australian legal system within a global context. Legal Studies provides students with a sound understanding of the structures of the Australian legal system and demonstrates how that system responds and contributes to social change while acknowledging tradition. Through analysis of the Australian legal system, students consider how diverse groups in society including Indigenous Australians influence and are influenced by the legal system.

Legal Studies provides insight into law-making and the processes of dispute resolution and administration of justice. Students evaluate the merits of the adversary system of trial and other forms of dispute resolution systems and processes. In addition, students investigate legal perspectives on contemporary issues in society. They reflect on and make informed judgments about strengths and weaknesses of the Australian legal system. Students consider how and to what degree these weaknesses may be remedied.

Students undertake study in Stage 2 Legal Studies through the following topics:

• Focus Area 1: Sources of Law
• Focus Area 2: Dispute Resolution
• Option Area 1: The Constitution
• Option Area 2: When Rights Collide

Stage 2 assessment is comprised of 70% school-based assessment which is externally moderated by the SACE Board and 30% external assessment which is externally marked by the SACE Board. Students demonstrate evidence of their learning through the following assessment types:

70% School Based Assessment:

Assessment Type 1: Folio (40%); four tasks:

• Short and Extended Responses, Case Study Analysis, Direct Supervision Task, Source Analysis, etc.

Assessment Type 2: Inquiry (30%)

• Written (2,000 words), Oral or Multimodal (12 Minutes) Response

30% External Assessment:

• 2 Hour External Examination