There is a lot of loose talk in Australia about democracy, the rule of law and basic rights. Yet unless we educate future citizens concerning the broad outline of our laws, they may grow up feeling that law is alien to their experience. I want them to grow up insisting that the law must be just and modern and accepting the citizen's responsibility to ensure that this is so." - Michael Kirby AC CMG Former Justice of the High Court of Australia
Our society is regulated by a complex set of rules and regulations which both guide and protect individual and community rights. Being well informed about legal issues, including the rights and responsibilities integral to our society, is part of being an active and informed citizen. Students of Legal Studies stage 6 will develop an understanding of legal concepts and the way the law functions in our society. Students will develop an understanding of the implications that legal decisions can have for Australian society and the ways in which the legal system can affect the lives of Australian citizens. A critical understanding of the processes of reform and change will help students to contribute to making our society more equitable for all.
The legal studies stage 6 course offers excellent preparation for life through a study of the legal system, its principles, structures, institutions and processes. The course fosters respect for cultural diversity. It allows students to question and evaluate legal institutional structures in the domestic and international environments and to undertake a comparative analysis of other political and institutional structures.
Legal studies enables students to have confidence in approaching and accessing the legal system and provides them with a better appreciation of the relationship between social and legal structures. The course will assist in the development of students' knowledge of their basic legal rights and responsibilities in a broad selection of contexts which appeal to their interests.
Preliminary course
Core Part I: The legal system
Core Part II: The individual and the law
Core Part III: Law in practice
HSC course
Core Part I: Crime
Core Part II: Human rights
Options Two to be studied:
- Consumers
- Global environmental protection
- Family
- Indigenous peoples
- Shelter
- Work place
- World order