Using Your Good 2010 Stage 2 Tasks with Your New SACE Subject Outline in 2011

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Using your good 2010 stage 2 tasks with your new SACE subject outline in 2011

Legal Studies example

stage 2 Legal Studies task – assessment workshop 2010 page - 1 -

Legal Studies Curriculum Statement 2010 / Legal Studies Subject Outline 2011
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the program in Stage 2 Legal Studies, students should be able to:
1. analyse the ways in which legal issues shape, and are shaped by, society now and how they may doso in the future;
2. appreciate influences that have shaped the Australian legal system;
3. demonstrate civic literacy through active participation within the legal system;
4. evaluate principles, structures, and processes within legal systems;
5. critically reflect on how a changing global community influences the Australian legal system;
6. reflect critically on values inherent in the Australian legal system. / Learning Requirements
In this subject, students are expected to:
1.display knowledge and understanding of the influences that have shaped the Australian legal system
2.know and understand legal principles, processes, and structures
3.recognise how the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity
4.demonstrate civic literacy through active inquiry into the legal system
5.evaluate how the changing global community influences the Australian legal system
6.evaluate the ways in which legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future
7.communicate informed observations and opinions on contemporary legal issues and debates, using legal terminology and appropriate acknowledgment of sources.
.
Structure and Organisation
Stage 2 Legal Studies is a 2-unit subject.
Students study the following five topics:
• Topic 1: The Australian Legal System
• Topic 2: Constitutional Government
• Topic 3: Law-making
• Topic 4: Justice Systems
• Topic 5: The Family and the Law. / Content
Stage 2 Legal Studies is a 20-credit subject that consists of the following four topics:
Topic 1: The Australian Legal System
Topic 2: Constitutional Government
Topic 3: Law-making
Topic 4: Justice Systems.
Assessment
Assessment in Stage 2 Legal Studies consists of the following components, weighted as shown:
Assessment Component 1: Course Work (45%)
Course work should consist of a planned program of summative tasks that cover a range of aspects oflearning in Legal Studies, including knowledge, skills, and conceptual understanding.
There should be between six and eight summative assessment tasks.
Assessment Component 2: Civic Participation Task (15%)
The civic participation task should occupy approximately 10 to 12 hours of programmed time. Thepresentation can be written or oral, or use other media or a combination of these. It should be amaximum of 1500 words
Assessment Component 3: Examination (40%).
Students will undertake a 3-hour external examination that is divided into two parts:
Part A: Short Responses (60%)
Part B: Extended Responses (40%). / Assessment
3 Types(20 credit Subject)
School-based Assessment (70%)
Assessment Type 1: Folio (50%)
Assessment Design Criteria K&U, I, E, C.
Assessment Type 2: Inquiry (20%)
Assessment Design Criteria K&U, I, E, C.
External Assessment (30%)
Assessment Type 3: Examination (30%).
Assessment Design Criteria K&U, E, C.
Students should provide evidence of their learning through eight to ten assessments, including the external assessment component. Students undertake:
six to eight assessments for the folio
one inquiry
one examination.

Sample Page

Knowledge and Understanding / Inquiry / Evaluation / Communication
A /

Comprehensive knowledge and perceptive understanding of relevant influences on the Australian legal system.
Comprehensive knowledge and astute understanding of legal principles, processes, and structures.
Perceptive recognition and understanding of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Insightful appreciation of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Astute and comprehensive location, selection, documentation, and application of relevant sources.
Perceptive examination of sources for bias, relevance, and credibility.
Incisive critiquing of legal processes and structures, with well-informed and well-considered recommendations for change

Comprehensive evaluation of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Astute evaluation of the ways in which legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Perceptive evaluation of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Perceptive evaluation of legal issues or concepts through discussion and illustration of opposing arguments to reach an informed conclusion.

Consistently accurate and coherent communication of highly informed observations and opinions on contemporary legal issues and debates, using a range of forms.
Appropriate and astute use of legal terminology, indicating in-depth understanding.
Consistent and appropriate acknowledgment of a diverse range of sources.

B /

Detailed knowledge and well-considered understanding of relevant influences on the Australian legal system.
Detailed knowledge and well-considered understanding of legal principles, processes, and structures.
Thoughtful recognition and understanding of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Thoughtful appreciation of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Well-considered location, selection, documentation, application of relevant sources.
Well-considered examination of sources for bias, relevance, and credibility.
Convincing critiquing of legal processes and structures, informed / considered recommendations for change.

Detailed evaluation of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Well-informed evaluation of the ways in which legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Well-considered evaluation of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Thoughtful evaluation of legal issues or concepts through discussion and illustration of opposing arguments to reach an informed conclusion.

Mostly accurate and coherent communication of well-informed observations and opinions on contemporary legal issues and debates, using a range of forms.
Appropriate and well-considered use of legal terminology, indicating some depth in understanding.
Mostly consistent and appropriate acknowledgment of a range of sources.

C /

Appropriate knowledge and considered understanding of relevant influences on the Australian legal system.
Appropriate knowledge and considered understanding of legal principles, processes, and structures.
Considered recognition and understanding of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

General appreciation of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Considered location, selection, documentation, and application of relevant sources.
Considered examination of sources for bias, relevance, and credibility.
Competent critiquing of legal processes and structures, with some informed and considered recommendations for change.

Informed evaluation of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Informed evaluation of the ways in which some legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Considered evaluation of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Considered evaluation of legal issues or concepts through discussion and illustration of opposing arguments to reach a conclusion.

Generally accurate and coherent communication of informed observations and opinions on contemporary legal issues and debates, using different forms.
Appropriate and considered use of legal terminology, indicating competent understanding.
Mostly appropriate acknowledgment of sources.

D /

Some recognition and awareness of one or more influences on the Australian legal system.
Some awareness of legal principles, processes, or structures.
Some recognition of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Some awareness of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Some thought given to the location, selection, documentation, and/or application of sources.
Some consideration of sources for bias, relevance, and/or credibility.
Basic consideration of some legal processes and structures, with simple recommendations for change.

Some consideration of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Basic commentary on the ways in which one or more legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Superficial consideration of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Some consideration of legal issues or concepts through discussion/ description some arguments.

Some accuracy in communication of basic observations or opinions on contemporary legal issues or debates, in one or more forms.
Some use of legal terminology, indicating awareness of the need for appropriate use.
Some inconsistent acknowledgment of sources.

E /

Limited awareness of influences on the Australian legal system.
Limited awareness of any legal principles, processes, or structures.
Emerging awareness of one or more ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Limited awareness of opportunities for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Some recognition of the need to locate, select, document, and apply relevant sources.
Limited awareness of bias, relevance, or credibility in sources.
Limited awareness of legal processes or structures.

Brief description of an aspect of global influence on the Australian legal system.
Some description of one way in which a legal issue shapes or is shaped by society now, or how it may do so in the future.
Brief description of one or more principles, structures, or processes in legal systems.
Limited consideration of a legal issue or concept through observation of a discussion.

Limited accuracy in communication through a selected form, with few observations or opinions on contemporary legal issues.
Restricted use of legal terminology, indicating limited awareness of the need for appropriate use.
Limited acknowledgment of sources.

Knowledge and Understanding / Inquiry / Evaluation / Communication
A /

Comprehensive knowledge and perceptive understanding of relevant influences on the Australian legal system.
Comprehensive knowledge and astute understanding of legal principles, processes, and structures.
Perceptive recognition and understanding of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Insightful appreciation of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Astute and comprehensive location, selection, documentation, and application of relevant sources.
Perceptive examination of sources for bias, relevance, and credibility.
Incisive critiquing of legal processes and structures, with well-informed and well-considered recommendations for change

Comprehensive evaluation of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Astute evaluation of the ways in which legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Perceptive evaluation of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Perceptive evaluation of legal issues or concepts through discussion and illustration of opposing arguments to reach an informed conclusion.

Consistently accurate and coherent communication of highly informed observations and opinions on contemporary legal issues and debates, using a range of forms.
Appropriate and astute use of legal terminology, indicating in-depth understanding.
Consistent and appropriate acknowledgment of a diverse range of sources.

B /

Detailed knowledge and well-considered understanding of relevant influences on the Australian legal system.
Detailed knowledge and well-considered understanding of legal principles, processes, and structures.
Thoughtful recognition and understanding of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Thoughtful appreciation of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Well-considered location, selection, documentation, and application of relevant sources.
Well-considered examination of sources for bias, relevance, and credibility.
Convincing critiquing of legal processes and structures, with informed and considered recommendations for change.

Detailed evaluation of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Well-informed evaluation of the ways in which legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Well-considered evaluation of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Thoughtful evaluation of legal issues or concepts through discussion and illustration of opposing arguments to reach an informed conclusion.

Mostly accurate and coherent communication of well-informed observations and opinions on contemporary legal issues and debates, using a range of forms.
Appropriate and well-considered use of legal terminology, indicating some depth in understanding.
Mostly consistent and appropriate acknowledgment of a range of sources.

C /

Appropriate knowledge and considered understanding of relevant influences on the Australian legal system.
Appropriate knowledge and considered understanding of legal principles, processes, and structures.
Considered recognition and understanding of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

General appreciation of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Considered location, selection, documentation, and application of relevant sources.
Considered examination of sources for bias, relevance, and credibility.
Competent critiquing of legal processes and structures, with some informed and considered recommendations for change.

Informed evaluation of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Informed evaluation of the ways in which some legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Considered evaluation of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Considered evaluation of legal issues or concepts through discussion and illustration of opposing arguments to reach a conclusion.

Generally accurate and coherent communication of informed observations and opinions on contemporary legal issues and debates, using different forms.
Appropriate and considered use of legal terminology, indicating competent understanding.
Mostly appropriate acknowledgment of sources.

D /

Some recognition and awareness of one or more influences on the Australian legal system.
Some awareness of legal principles, processes, or structures.
Some recognition of ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Some awareness of the potential for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Some thought given to the location, selection, documentation, and/or application of sources.
Some consideration of sources for bias, relevance, and/or credibility.
Basic consideration of some legal processes and structures, with simple recommendations for change.

Some consideration of global influences on the Australian legal system.
Basic commentary on the ways in which one or more legal issues shape and are shaped by society now, and how they may do so in the future.
Superficial consideration of principles, processes, and structures in legal systems.
Some consideration of legal issues or concepts through discussion and description of some arguments.

Some accuracy in communication of basic observations or opinions on contemporary legal issues or debates, in one or more forms.
Some use of legal terminology, indicating awareness of the need for appropriate use.
Some inconsistent acknowledgment of sources.

E /

Limited awareness of influences on the Australian legal system.
Limited awareness of any legal principles, processes, or structures.
Emerging awareness of one or more ways in which the Australian legal system responds to cultural diversity.

Limited awareness of opportunities for involvement and active participation in the legal system.
Some recognition of the need to locate, select, document, and apply relevant sources.
Limited awareness of bias, relevance, or credibility in sources.
Limited awareness of legal processes or structures.

Brief description of an aspect of global influence on the Australian legal system.
Some description of one way in which a legal issue shapes or is shaped by society now, or how it may do so in the future.
Brief description of one or more principles, structures, or processes in legal systems.
Limited consideration of a legal issue or concept through

Limited accuracy in communication through a selected form, with few observations or opinions on contemporary legal issues.
Restricted use of legal terminology, indicating limited awareness of the need for appropriate use.
Limited acknowledgment of sources.

stage 2 Legal Studies task – assessment workshop 2010 page - 1 -

Stage 2 Legal Studies Summative Assessment 4 - 2010

Essay – Australian constitution

Essay:

“The shift in the balance of powers has occurred due to a number of factors and this has been accelerated by Australia being increasingly drawn into the global community” Using examples, evaluate this statement (20 marks)

Essay Guide

In an essay like this you need to examine arguments for and/or against the statement and conclude with a logical judgment.

You must use examples to strengthen your arguments.

Write a brief plan of how you will answer the question.

You will need an introduction the clearly expresses the main ideas of the question and gives an indication of how you will develop your arguments.

Specifically for this essay you need to;

Identify and explain the reasons for a shift in the balance of power towards the Commonwealth include for example ; High Court decisions such as the use of external affairs power in the Tasmania Dams case in1983, Constitutional changes by referendum, Referral powers and Federal cooperative agreements
Assess how important the factors are in shifting the balance of power.
Specify what part Australia’s involvement in the global community has played in the change of the balance of power
Conclusion ; do you agree with the statement or not justify your opinion

A satisfactory response would give a general explanation of several factors (including international) that have contributed to the shift in the balance of powers.

A better response would not only explain several factors by using examples but also attempt to evaluate the statement.

An excellent response would logically present the reasons for a shift in the balance of power with the use of relevant examples and assess how important the factors particularly Australia’s involvement internationally have been determining the shift in power.

While there is no prescribed length of an essay, a general rule is around 3 sides of pages

Stage 2 Legal Studies

Folio - Assessment 4 - 2011 Essay – Australian constitution

Essay:

Essay Guide

In an essay like this you need to the evaluate issues or concepts through discussion and illustration with examples of opposing arguments, to reach an informed conclusion. (E1)