Should I do Legal Studies? Questions & Answers (1 Viewer)

[melsc]

This is just my opinion so put what ever weight on it you like

I have seen a lot of posts regarding subject selection so I have complied a lil info about general subject selection and more specifically what legal studies involves.

General Subject Selection Stuff
Myths & Facts about Subject Selection
Pointers on finding out the subjects that best suit you
What does Legal Studies involve?
Preliminary Course Consists of
HSC Course Consists of
What kind of assignments will I get?
Legal Studies Syllabus
Past HSC Papers
Other Links


General Subject Selection Stuff
That time of year is comming up, yes Year 10 into Year 11 subject selections. Subject selection is really important for you guys to make sure you end up doing the right courses that is:
1. The ones you are good at
2. The ones that you enjoy/have an interest it
3. The subjects that you are capable of

Myths & Facts about Subject Selection
Myth: You need to do High Scalling subjects to get a good UAI
Fact: Any combination of subjects can achieve any uai its how well YOU do and you wont do well if you HATE the subject or pick something out of ur depth. I did ten units (English (Av), Legal Studies, Italian Beginners, French Continuers and Information Processes & technology) no maths, no science, no history and I achieved a UAI of 94.0, its all about what's right for YOU, sure people told me I was crazy doing 10u involving no maths or 'high scalling subjects' but in the end I actually beat some of those people.

Now many people will tell you that you should pick "High Scalling Subjects" the worst thing about this is, UNLESS you do well the so called "high scalling" will effect you negatively.

Myth: I need to do certain subjects so I can get into a uni course (e.g. Legal Studies for Law)
Fact: This is not often the case, many courses no longer have pre-requisites, but if you are not sure either ask your careers advisor of check out the uni websites and handbooks, they will tell you what subjects are required or recommended. Also never fear many uni's offer bridging courses incase you miss out.

Pointers on finding out the subjects that best suit you
Before I get into whether you should do Legal Studies I am going to give you some pointers on how to best choose your subjects and ensure they are the right ones for you.

YOU need to do a lil investigation. Find out what these subjects consist of by asking the teachers who teach it, ask to take a look at a textbook and see what the workload and content is.

Make an informed choice and listen to your teachers and people who know you and ur interests. I have seen too many ppl in my year ignore the teachers advice (as to the capability to handle the subject). That's not to say you should do IPT, but if you have an interest in computers etc, find out what its about and see if it suits you.

Another good way to check out if u'll like a subject is to go into the HSC forums and check them out, people will have posted their assignments etc and you can have a look.

What does Legal Studies involve?
Legal Studies is what the name suggests a subject where you studies things of a legal nature such as:

• How the law is made and by whom
• How to evaulate aspects of the legal system
• Why some groups are disadvantaged in the eyes of the law

Preliminary Course Consists of:
Sourced from hienmann site (this is the book I used) http://www.hi.com.au/bookstore/bmoredetail.asp?idval=89/376/5340
The Legal System
*Basic Legal Notions
*Relationship between rules, laws and custom

Sources of Law
*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customary law prior to 1788
*Sources of contemporary Australian law
*Sources and framework of international law

The constitutional System in Australia
*The Federal system
*Constitutional division of power
*The High Court and constitutional interpretation
*Transfer of legislative power

The operation of the Legal System
*Operation of the legal system
*Operation of the legal system in relation to native title

The Individual and the State
Power and Authority
*Concepts of power
*Concepts of authority
*Relationship of the individual to power and authority

Legal controls on state power
*Official duties and discretionary powers
*Parliamentary control of the executive
*Individual's rights to access information
*Informal means of challenging state power
*Formal means of challenging state power

Duties
*The different meanings of duties
*The interrelationship of legal and other duties
*Meanings of international duties
*Restrictions on the use of force

Rights
*Legal basis of rights
*The distinction between moral, customary and legal rights
*Different types of legal rights
*International treaties and declarations of rights
*The limitations of international law in protecting rights
*Self-determination/collective rights

The Law in Focus
Choice of two of the many options including
*Women
*Aborginal and Torres Strait Islanders
*Youth
*Mentally Ill
*Disabled
*Discrimination
(if there are any others let me know)

HSC Course Consists of
http://www.hi.com.au/bookstore/bmoredetail.asp?idval=89/376/5341

Law and Society
*Law and Justice
*Human rights

Focus Study: Crime
*Crime-Key Legal Concepts
*Legal issues and Remedies
*Morality, ethics and commitment
*Effectiveness of the Law
*Law Reform

Two of the following options
Consumers
Consumers-Key Legal Concepts
*Legal issues and Remedies
*Morality, ethics and commitment
*Effectiveness of the Law
*Law Reform

Family
*Family-Key Legal Concepts
*Legal issues and Remedies
*Morality, ethics and commitment
*Effectiveness of the Law
*Law Reform

Global Environment
*Global Environment-Key Legal Concepts
*Legal issues and Remedies
*Morality, ethics and commitment
*Effectiveness of the Law
*Law Reform
*Workplace

Workplace-Key Legal Concepts
*Legal issues and Remedies
*Morality, ethics and commitment
*Effectiveness of the Law
*Law Reform

Technology
World Order
Indigenous peoples
*If there are others let me know*

What type of assignments will I get?

Assignments vary from school to school, however I'll post the kind of assignments I had to do to give you the general idea:
Year 11
1. A two part report where I had to observe court cases in my own time and answer questions on the cases, and write an essay discussing the effectiveness of the adversarial system of trial.
2. A speech on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's status under the law and the disadvantages they face
3. A 1500 word essay on Women's status under the lae and the disadvantages they face

We didn't do women
we had a group task on disabilities and the like, which i just did by myself
all 4,381 words...

1. Inclass test basic legal notions
2. Research/hand in on role of Gos and NGOS-ie ICAC, Ombudsman, media etc
2. Speech on women and written report hand in-see my assessment in the general forum or resource directory
3. Incclass essay on discrimination-disability, sex etc.
4. prelim exam

* Multiple Choice Exam - Basic Legal Notions
* Half Yearly (2 hours)
* Research Essay - Women (2000 words)
* In class Essay - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
* Yearly Exam (2 1/2 hours)

Year 11
*Essay on Effectiveness of the Legal System
*Oral presentation on any topic so far (4 mins, no notes)
*Group task on a choice of 4 different topics, involves finding a load of cases and crap like that
*Essay on Effectiveness of Legal System dealing with women
*Some other essay
*Preliminary exam

Year 12
1. A speech on any criminal case explaining key aspects of the case and answering set questions (e.g. what was the ratio of the case?)
2. A 1500 word essay on the issues & remedies in family law

recently i had a 1000 word essay on a criminal issue (piss easy)
for consumers i had to answer some questions on the accc and make up some report based on some questions.

i just handed in a 2300 word essay on safety in the workplace with "extensive" evidence. i.e. no plagurising from the textbook.

1. A report on any criminal case and r v. gonzales-see my assessment in the crime forum
2. Half yearly
3. A research-report and speech on family law-see my assessment on the family forum
4. Consumer inclass essay
5. Trial

Year 12 Assessments
In class Exam - Crime Scenario
Half Yearly Exam
Essay on Consumers (2000 words) and;
Speech on Consumers (3 minutes)
Trial HSC

Year 11
* Crime Essay (in assessment block)
* Half Yearly (2 1/2 hours)
* In class essay - Family
* Research Essay - Shelter
* Trial HSC (3 hours)

Legal Studies Syllabus
Legal Studies Syllabus

Past HSC Papers'
2004
2003
2002
2001

Other links
Legal Resource Directory - A thread that contains all the links to all the resources provided by fellow bosers

THANKS SO MUCH TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED THUS FAR...If you have any other hints, or stuff you remember you did in yea 11 please post it here and I'll add

I have a lot more to add but I don't have time right now, i'll get to it asap, If you guys doing Legal now have anything to add just let me know

 

[Jago]

1500 words? wow, you guys had it easier than we did...

i just handed in a 2300 word essay on safety in the workplace with "extensive" evidence. i.e. no plagurising from the textbook.

Oh, don't forget to tell people how utterly boring the Women topic is in year 11 but it's okay, the crime topic in year 12 almosts makes up for the entire of year 11 crappiness.

 

[monique66]

We didn't do women
we had a group task on disabilities and the like, which i just did by myself
all 4,381 words...

 

[goan_crazy]

Melsc, my consumers ass was an inclass essay!

that report or whatever i posted wasnt an assessment
i just did that as class work one day

thanks 4 this but, it should be helpful to prospective legal students and even current ones.

Year 11
1. Inclass test basic legal notions
2. Research/hand in on role of Gos and NGOS-ie ICAC, Ombudsman, media etc
2. Speech on women and written report hand in-see my assessment in the general forum or resource directory
3. Incclass essay on discrimination-disability, sex etc.
4. prelim exam
Year 12
1. A report on any criminal case and r v. gonzales-see my assessment in the crime forum
2. Half yearly
3. A research-report and speech on family law-see my assessment on the family forum
4. Consumer inclass essay
5. Trial

HSC

 

[hYperTrOphY]

Year 12 Assessments

In class Exam - Crime Scenario

Half Yearly Exam

Essay on Consumers (2000 words) and;
Speech on Consumers (3 minutes)

Trial HSC

 

[roadcone]

Year 11

* Multiple Choice Exam - Basic Legal Notions
* Half Yearly (2 hours)
* Research Essay - Women (2000 words)
* In class Essay - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
* Yearly Exam (2 1/2 hours)

Year 12
* Crime Essay (in assessment block)
* Half Yearly (2 1/2 hours)
* In class essay - Family
* Research Essay - Shelter
* Trial HSC (3 hours)

 

[Boxxxhead]

Year 11
*Essay on Effectiveness of the Legal System
*Oral presentation on any topic so far (4 mins, no notes)
*Group task on a choice of 4 different topics, involves finding a load of cases and crap like that
*Essay on Effectiveness of Legal System dealing with women
*Some other essay
*Preliminary exam

 

[soha]

i dropped out of legal studies in year 12...
i couldnt stand it

 

[Jago]

it's my bludgest subject...

 

[roadcone]

its my most straight forward subject... like it is easy to learn everything and most of the essays that have to be written use all the same information, just require some rewording in order to ensure that the question is accurately answered

 

[melsc]

thanks again if u guys have anymore add please

 

[catto]

It is very 'theory' based. However still close to my best subject

 

[Danoz The Great]

Good work on this melsc!

 

[melsc]

If you have anything to add I'll be more than happy to add it

 

[melsc]

Also any suggestions for additional info

 

[melsc]

06ers feel welcome to add anything about your assignments or thoughts about the course etc

 

[swisstruffles]

i did legal studies from yr 11-12...i am glad i did it; it was an interesting and useful two years of legal. yr 11 content was quite dry, but it is necessary knowledge about the basics of law and the legal system in australia. yr 12 was quite interesting, i guess provided ur school/teacher chooses the better elective module thingys. i did the global enviro and family. both were interesting and had useful cases.
even if ur not planning to continue doing law studies after high school, id recommend legal studies as it is one of the more enjoyable subjects you can choose!

 

[super_fly5]

Currently In The Last Year Of Highschool; Still Loving Legal.
With Regards To The Topic Of Women In Year 11- That Was Quite Easy.. Wasn't Bad. We Completed Family Last Term. I Was Close To Disliking The Topic, But Decided To Make Do With It.

There's Quite A Bit Of Writing And Learning To Be Done In The Subject.
However, Passion Is The Name Of The Game.

 

[Angelina88]

Subject selection

I did legal studies in year 11 and am still doing the subject....it was my best subject...i reckon this was mainly due to my teacher, she just made it interesting for us, i dont think there was anyone in our class that went "oh i hate legal", everyone seemed confident with it and coped well. I would definately recommed doing legal studies, even if you dont intend to pursue law as a career in the future. It provides you with a sound knowledge about the legal system and your rights and responsibilities in a range of situations so in my opinion, it would assist you in the future if you happen to get caught up in legal problems. I found that as a subject, it is pretty good to score high marks in. Im under the impression that it isnt a really low scaler and if you study well and get the terminology, theory, the concepts and know how to write a legal essay in the right way then theres your band 5/6.
Yes it is primarily theory based and if you are unlucky with your teacher it will be very boring but if you have the interest in it you'll be fine. So if your in year 10 and deciding whether to choose legal studies as a subject, i suggest you select it however only do so if you know you will like the subject, honestly there is no use doing a subject if you hate it.

 

[J.X Neutron]

pfft do legal studies, i do it...its piss easy lol