NCEA Level 3 Legal Studies 301
Course Description
Teacher in Charge: Mrs J. Struthers.
Legal Studies 301
Legal Studies is a blend of law, history, politics, international relations and sociology. It is a social sciences course designed to make students more aware of the world around them from a legal perspective. Students will gain an understanding of the Law in NZ as it relates to them and international law as it affects us. Topics include: systems of justice, international law, Social Action, and law change. Students will participate in a range of practical activities including mock trials and debates.
UE Approved Subject
Course Overview
Term 1
In Term 1 students will begin the year understanding the law-making process in relation to controversial law change for example, in the context of war crimes. Following this we look at how the state can be challenged, through legal processes, domestically or internationally. And finally, we see how a social action has brought change.
Term 2
We will begin a critical social inquiry by identifying an issue. Possible contexts included; environment, women's rights, animal rights, racism, free speech, LGBTQI+ issues. The inquiry seeks to understand how the issue can be addressed in the future. This term we also investigate how pre-European legal concepts are contributing to the evolution of legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Term 3
This term, the class will plan, carry out and examine their personal involvement in a social action that aims to influence policy change in some way. Towards the end of the term, students will begin to prepare for an external standard which looks at the impacts of ideologies and their impact on society.
Term 4
This term students continue preparation for the external.
Recommended Prior Learning
This is a written academic subject, 8 credits or more credits at Level 2 or higher in any one of the following subjects: English, History, Geography, Classics, Legal Studies will be beneficial.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
There may be optional field trips organised by the teacher.
Pathway
The Legal Studies course provides an understanding of how New Zealand ensures a fair and orderly society as an global citizen. It provides students with a particular interest in law, government and human rights to pursue that in advance of university study.
Assessment Information
Above is an offering of the possible assessment opportunities in Legal Studies.Students wishing to use Legal Studies as a UE subject may prioritise the Achievement Standard assessments in this course.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Evaluate litigation and dispute resolution processes in relation to challenging state power
NZQA Info
Evaluate a law making process in relation to a significant legal issue
NZQA Info
Evaluate key concepts of New Zealand's legal system from pre-European practices to current practices
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.2 - Conduct a critical social inquiry
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of how ideologies shape society
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.4 - Examine personal involvement in a social action(s) that aims to influence policy change(s)
NZQA Info
Social Studies 3.5 - Examine a campaign of social action(s) to influence policy change(s)
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 20
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.