LEGAL STUDIES
Board Developed Course (ATAR) - 2 Units
Legal Studies is intended for students interested in understanding the structure, function and impact of law within Australian and global contexts. It is ideal for those passionate about exploring legal systems, human rights, justice and the role of law in society.
The course caters to students aspiring to pursue careers in law, criminology, social justice, government, policing and public policy.
The course emphasises the development of critical thinking, analytical skills and structured legal writing, including the ability to interpret legal cases, evaluate justice mechanisms and understand the implications of law reform. Students learn to write with clarity and precision, producing well-structured legal essays and case study analyses that reflect a deep understanding of legal concepts and their application.
PRE-REQUISITES
There are no formal pre-requisites for Legal Studies. However, strong reading comprehension, analytical skills and essay writing abilities are highly beneficial due to the course’s emphasis on interpreting legal documents, analysing case studies and constructing evidence-based arguments.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Year 11 Topics
• The legal system
• The individual and the law
• Law in practice
Year 12 Topics
• Crime
• Human Rights
• Options (Choose Two)
- Consumers
- Global environmental protection
- Family
- Indigenous peoples
- Shelter
- Workplace
- World order
HSC EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
The HSC examination for Legal Studies is a three-hour written paper that consists of four sections worth a total of 100 marks. The examination assesses student understanding through a combination of objective-response, short-answer and extended-response questions.
Extended responses range in expected length from 600 – 1000 words.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS COURSE
The course may include opportunities to participate in Mock Trial, the Law Student for a Day program run by the University of Newcastle (UON) and visits to local courts and State Parliament, allowing students to engage directly with legislative processes judicial decision-making.
Further information is available on the NESA website.
If a student qualifies, the Citizenship and Legal Studies Life Skills Course is available in mainstream classes. More information on Life Skills courses can be found here.