CURRICULUM AREA – The Humanities/Civics and Citizenship
VCAA EXAMPLE
Context:
Students are provided with an independent inquiry task that allows them to explore the nature of citizenship and active participation in Australian democracy. In addressing the focus question ‘How can citizens participate in Australia’s democracy?’, students undertake research using online resources from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to consider the effectiveness of different pathways of participation. During this research students complete an inquiry document that is comprised of a variety of graphic organisers and thinking tools to organise their data.
Students also explore and discuss contemporary issues to identify the most effective ways in which they can influence solutions and discussion in society. Their finished product is a ‘civic participation plan’ which reflects their research findings and charts a course of action to engage in public discussion regarding an issue of their choice.
Content Descriptions:
Explain how citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy, including the use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, interest groups and direct action (VCCCG020)
Discuss the freedoms that enable active participation in Australia’s democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement (VCCCG019)
Civics and Citizenship Level 6 Achievement Standard / Example of Indicative Progress toward Level 8 Achievement Standard / Civics and Citizenship Level 8 Achievement Standard
By the end of Level 6:
  • Students identify the values that underpin Australia’s democracy and explain the importance of the electoral process.
  • They describe the purpose of key institutions and levels of government in Australia’s democracy.
  • They explain the role of different people in Australia’s legal system and the role of parliaments in creating law.
  • They identify various ways people can participate effectively in groups to achieve shared goals.
  • Students explain what it means to be an Australian citizen and how people can participate as global citizens.
  • They analyse contemporary issues and use evidence to support a point of view about civics and citizenship issues.
  • They identify possible solutions to an issue as part of a plan for action.
/ In Civics and Citizenship, indicative progression towards the Level 8 achievement standard may be when students:
- Identified ways they can participate in their local community
- Gathered data, to explain and compare ways to participate in Australia’s democracy, including the key values that underpin Australia’s democratic society, specific features of the electoral process which enable participation, and methods of participation including contact with elected representatives, and engaging with lobby/interest groups.
- Identified a contemporary issue in their local community
- Identified who is affected by the contemporary issue
- Describe cause and effects of the contemporary issue
- Investigated ways to participate in discussion concerning a contemporary issue in Australian society,
- Proposed possible actions to resolve the contemporary issue / By the end of Level 8:
  • Students explain features of Australia’s system of government, and the purpose of the Constitution in Australia’s representative democracy.
  • They analyse features of Australian democracy, and explain features that enable active participation.
  • They explain how Australia’s legal system is based on the principle of justice, and describe the types of law and how laws are made.
  • Students identify the importance of shared values, explain different points of view and explain the diverse nature of Australian society.
  • They analyse issues about national identity in Australia and the factors that contribute to people’s sense of belonging.
  • They identify ways they can be active and informed citizens, and take action, in different contexts.


CURRICULUM AREA – The Humanities/Civics and Citizenship
VCAA EXAMPLE
Context:
Students build upon their understanding of Australia’s political system and how it enables change through considering the fundamental features and principles of Australia’s court system.
They investigate the features and principles of the system, including its role in applying and interpreting Australian law. Students are provided with foundational theoretical knowledge by the teacher and then undertake a series of activities to describe, visualise and categorise the differing actors and principles within the system. In doing so, students acquire a comprehensive awareness of the legal landscape of Australia.
Building upon this knowledge, students also examine the ways in which shared values and differing points of view are formulated within Australian society using a contemporary case study such as the Racial Discrimination Act Section 18C, Marriage Equality or the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They consider the influence political parties, interest groups, international organisations (such as Amnesty), the media and prominent individuals on issues. They discuss the actions and opinions of key stakeholders concerned with a contemporary issue in Australian society. They identify and discuss how these actions can have international implications that affect Australia’s international standing. Students construct the findings of this discussion within a web diagram to visually represent the relationship(s), correlation and contrast of ideas amongst key actors to recognise the interconnected levels of influence they have upon the discussion of legal issues and the decision making process in Australia.
Content Descriptions:
Analyse how citizens’ political choices are shaped, including the influence of the media (VCCCG030)
Describe the key features of Australia’s court system, including jurisdictions and how courts apply and interpret the law, resolve disputes and make law through judgements, and describe the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution (VCCCL033)
Explain how Australia’s international legal obligations shape Australian law and government policies, including in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (VCCCL032)
Civics and Citizenship Level 8 Achievement Standard / Example of Indicative Progress toward Level 10 Achievement Standard / Civics and Citizenship Level 10 Achievement Standard
By the end of Level 8:
  • Students explain features of Australia’s system of government, and the purpose of the Constitution in Australia’s representative democracy.
  • They analyse features of Australian democracy, and explain features that enable active participation.
  • They explain how Australia’s legal system is based on the principle of justice, and describe the types of law and how laws are made.
  • Students identify the importance of shared values, explain different points of view and explain the diverse nature of Australian society.
  • They analyse issues about national identity in Australia and the factors that contribute to people’s sense of belonging.
  • They identify ways they can be active and informed citizens, and take action, in different contexts.
/ In Civics and Citizenship, indicative progression towards the Level 10 achievement standard may be when students:
- Described using laws of local relevance, how laws are made in Australia through Parliament (Statute Law) and through the courts (Common Law).
- Constructed an annotated visual display of the Australian court system.
- Identified the principles of justice within Australia’s legal system.
- Described how Australia’s legal system – with the presumption of innocence, access to justice, right to a fair trial and right to legal representation – aims to protect and represent all citizens.
- Created a web diagram on a contemporary issue in Australian society that identified a selection of key actors, their points of view regarding the issue.
- Explained how key political and legal actors have influenced that particular issue
- Made links across points in the web diagram to demonstrate the similarities and differences amongst ideas and perceptions of key actors. / By the end of Level 10:
  • Students evaluate features of Australia’s political system, and identify and analyse the influences on people’s electoral choices.
  • They compare and evaluate the key features and values of systems of government, and analyse Australia’s global roles and responsibilities.
  • They analyse the role of the High Court and explain how Australia’s international legal obligations influence law and government policy.
  • They explain the key principles of Australia’s system of justice and analyse the role of Australia’s court system.
  • They analyse a range of factors that influence identities and attitudes to diversity.
  • Students evaluate a range of factors that sustain democratic societies and analyse ways they can be active and informed citizens in different contexts, taking into account multiple perspectives and ambiguities.

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