Course information
Students taking part in the Legal Studies course will gain an understanding of the philosophies behind the law's role in our society. Students are encouraged to question the role and application of the law in order to gain a greater understanding of legal reasoning. A well rounded understanding of justice and social equality are the outcome for those who take part in the course.
Participants are encouraged to become more active citizens while gaining an understanding of the principles for studying law at university and developing key analytical skills. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in Mock Trial Debating, and a number of excursions.
Post-school pathways
Do you enjoy or are you good at Social and Behavioural Sciences? (pdf, 110kb)
Workload expectation
Social and Behavioural Science subjects require regular and consistent revision of course content as well as detailed planning and research for assessment tasks outside of class time in order to receive outstanding results.
Course pattern
May be available as a Minor or Major.
Suggested Minor course
Semester | Unit |
|---|---|
1 | Crime, Justice and the Legal System |
2 | Civil Law and Resolution of disputes |
Suggested Major course
Semester | Unit |
|---|---|
1 | Crime and Justice |
2 | Civil Law |
3 | Contemporary Issues and the Law |
4 | International Law |
Unit descriptions
NOTE: these units are proposed units and may be subject to change. The general themes and topics are relevant.
Crime and Justice
This unit aims to increase students’ awareness of the complexity and limitations of the criminal justice system in achieving justice. Through the use of a range of contemporary examples, students investigate criminal law, processes and institutions and the tension between community interests and individual rights and freedoms.
Civil Law
This unit aims to increase students’ awareness of the rights and responsibilities that exist between individuals, groups and organisations and the resolution of civil disputes through courts and other mechanisms. Through the use of a range of contemporary examples, students investigate civil law, processes and institutions, and develop an appreciation of the role of civil law in society.
Contemporary Issues and the Law
This unit aims to increase students’ awareness of legal rights and responsibilities in everyday life from different political, economic and social perspectives. Through the use of a range of contemporary examples, students investigate how the law attempts to balance the rights and responsibilities of the individual with the best interests of the wider community.
International Law
This unit aims to increase students’ awareness of the origin, institutions, and processes of international law. They examine how it might be enforced in the context of global treaties and an anarchic international system. Students investigate the impact of international law at global, national, and local levels. They consider the relevance of international law to ordinary people and the challenges they are faced with accessing international law. Students evaluate case studies of contemporary international legal processes for their fairness and efficacy, including insecurity caused by corruption, autocracy, climate change and conflict.