At a glance
A course where students learn how laws are made, used and changed, and how justice works in society. Students look at real cases and debates about crime, rights and responsibilities, and the work of courts and government.
This course is a good choice for students who:
- are interested in crime, justice, politics and current events
- like discussing issues and building arguments using evidence
- want strong research, writing and thinking skills
About this course
Legal Studies helps students understand how rules and laws guide behaviour in society. Students research issues, use case studies, and explain their ideas clearly using evidence. Assessment usually includes tasks such as essays, reports, debates, source work, role plays and tests.
Pathways
This course can support pathways into areas such as:
- law and justice
- government and community work
- roles that use research and clear writing
- further study in subjects like law, politics or society
Units in this course
Students complete 2 units for a Minor or 4 units for a Major.
Crime and Justice
This unit is about how societies respond to crime and how courts decide outcomes.
Students will:
- learn how criminal laws work and how cases move through the courts
- explore punishment, prevention and ideas about fairness
Civil Law
This unit is about laws that help people solve disputes (for example, contracts or disagreements).
Students will:
- explore how civil law applies to real situations
- look at ways disputes are solved and whether outcomes are fair
Contemporary Issues and the Law
This unit is about how laws can change over time and how society debates big issues.
Students will:
- investigate case studies where law and social issues connect
- research an issue and suggest possible solutions
International Law
This unit is about laws and agreements that apply between countries.
Students will:
- explore how international agreements are made and used
- investigate global issues using real-world examples