VCE Units 3 & 4 – Legal Studies
VCE Units 3 & 4 – Legal Studies
Overview
VCE Legal Studies enables students to appreciate the institutions and principles that are essential to the Australian legal system. Students develop an understanding of the rule of law, lawmakers, legal institutions, the relationship between the people and the Australian Constitution and how they themselves can affect positive change to laws and the legal system.
Unit 3 – Rights and justice
In this unit, students explore topics such as the rights available to an accused and to victims in the criminal justice system, the roles of the judge, jury, legal practitioners and the parties, and the ability of sanctions and remedies to achieve their purposes. Students investigate the extent to which the principles of justice are upheld in the justice system.
Areas of Study
- The Victorian criminal justice system – Students explore the criminal justice system, key personnel, and the use of plea negotiations to determine a criminal case. Students investigate the rights of the accused and of victims and explore the purposes and types of sanctions and sentencing considerations.
- The Victorian civil justice system – Students consider the factors relevant to commencing a civil claim, examine the institutions and methods used to resolve a civil dispute and explore the purposes and types of remedies.
Unit 4 – The people, the law and reform
In this unit, students explore how the Australian Constitution establishes the law-making powers of the Commonwealth and state parliaments, and how it protects the Australian people through structures that act as a check on parliament in law-making. Students consider the roles of the individual, the media and law reform bodies in influencing changes to the law, and past and future constitutional reform.
Areas of Study
- The people and the law-makers – Students discuss the ability of parliament and courts to make law and evaluate how the Australian Constitution acts as a check on parliament in law-making.
- The people and reform – Students explain the reasons for law reform and constitutional reform, discuss the ability of individuals to change the Australian Constitution and influence a change in the law, and evaluate the ability of law reform bodies to influence a change in the law.
Forms of Assessment
Case Studies, Tests, End of Year Exam
Prerequisites and Corequisites
It is an advantage to have completed Units 1 & 2 Legal Studies