2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC

Board Developed Course                                           Exclusions:  Nil

Course Description:

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 the role of the individual. 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, justice and human rights through a variety of focus studies, which consider how changes in societies influence law reform.

Main Topics Covered:

Preliminary Course

·      The Legal System                        (40% of course time)

·      The Individual and the State         (20% of course time)

·      The Law in Focus                        (40% of course time)

HSC Course

·      Law and Society                           (25% of course time)

·      Focus Study: Crime                      (25% of course time)

·      Additional Focus Studies              (50% of course time)

Two Focus Studies are chosen from consumers, family, global environment, Indigenous people, shelter, technological change, workplace, and world order.

Key themes incorporated across all topics: Justice, Law & Society, Culture, Values and Ethics, Conflict and Cooperation, Continuity and Change, Legal Processes and Institutions, Effectiveness of the Legal System.

Particular Course Requirements:  No special requirements

Assessment HSC course only:

External Assessment

Weighting

Internal Assessment

Weighting

A three hour written examination:

Core

Crime

Focus Studies

25

25

50

Core and focus studies assessed through tests, investigation and research, oral and written communication

100

100

100