LS034 - Legal Studies 4

Unit code: LS034 | Study level: TAFE

Credit points

N/A

Location

Footscray Nicholson

Prerequisites

LS033 - Legal Studies 3

(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)

Overview

The study of Australia’s laws and legal system involves an understanding of institutions that make and reform our laws, and the relationship between the Australian people, the Australian Constitution and law-making bodies. In this unit, students explore how the Australian Constitution establishes the law-making powers of the Commonwealth and state parliaments, and protects the Australian people through structures that act as a check on parliament in law-making. Students develop an understanding of the significance of the High Court in protecting and interpreting the Australian Constitution. They investigate parliament and the courts, and the relationship between the two in law-making, and consider the roles of the individual, the media and law reform bodies in influencing law reform. Throughout this unit, students apply legal reasoning and information to actual scenarios.

This unit is delivered in Year 12.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment tasks will be designed to reinforce and extend knowledge in accordance with each unit’s learning outcomes, including the setting of practical application tasks designed to provide evidence of competence outcomes, within periodic and scheduled timelines. Students will be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge:

Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the significance of High Court cases involving the interpretation of the Australian Constitution and evaluate the ways in which the Australian Constitution acts as a check on parliament in law-making.

Outcome 2
On completion of this unit the student should be able to discuss the factors that affect the ability of parliament and courts to make law, evaluate the ability of these law-makers to respond to the need for law reform, and analyse how individuals, the media and law reform bodies can influence a change in the law.

Assessment will follow the requirements set out in the VCE Legal Studies Study Guide:

SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT

Satisfactory completion
The award of satisfactory completion for a unit is based on whether the student has demonstrated the set of outcomes specified for the unit. A variety of assessment tasks will provide a range of opportunities for students to demonstrate the key knowledge and key skills in the outcomes.
Assessment of levels of achievement
The student’s level of achievement in Unit 4 will be determined by School-assessed Coursework (SAC). SAC will be completed mainly in class and within a limited time-frame.

SAC for Unit 3 will contribute 25 per cent to the study score (LS033 Legal Studies 3).
SAC for Unit 4 will contribute 25 per cent to the study score.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT
The level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 is also assessed by an end-of-year examination, which will contribute 50 per cent to the study score.

Required reading

The qualified trainer and assessor will provide teaching and learning materials as required in the form of workbooks produced by the Polytechnic and/or via the Polytechnic e-learning system.