Legal Studies 2016

Unit One: Sac One

It is important that questions set during the year and notes taken are completed neatly and with care.

  • Please use a FOLDER. Within your folder, you will have two sections. A question answering section and a SAC NOTE section. Keep these two sections clear. Use clear headings.
  • SAC summaries and diagrams are not only used for SAC preparation but can be used at the end of the year when preparing for the examination.
  • By completing homework and SAC notes properly throughout the year, you will allow yourself more time at the end of the year to complete practice exam questions rather that have to do the years’ work in a number of weeks.

HOMEWORK BUDDY – if you miss work, you need to email your homework buddy who will take notes for you and email/text them to you. I also update Seqta (new daymap) for you to check.

It is your responsibility to keep up with missed work.

Legal Studies Wikispace – you need to become a member of wikispace to access this site. This site will have current handouts/revision sheets/useful links and also has a “discussion board” for you to utilise. bclegalstudies.wikispaces.com

bookmark this now!

Learning Goal: 1.1 Understanding rules in society

  1. Read pages 1 – 9
  2. In your answer section, use the above heading and then answer the following questions below. Answer questions 2 – 4 on page 7
  3. Answer the question 2 on page 9
  4. SAC Notes
  • In your SAC section, clearly label the section with SAC ONE.
  • Explain the difference between legal and non-legal rules. Use two different paragraphs. One paragraph for “legal rules and one paragraph for non-legal rules.

Learning Goal:1.2 Understanding the need for laws

  1. Read pages 10 – 11
  2. SAC Notes –

For each sub – heading below, write a sentence with an example explain what it means.

* Establish a code of conduct

* laws protect the community from harm

* laws reflect changing values and circumstances

* resolution of disputes.

Learning Goal:1.3 Understanding the characteristics of an effective law

  1. Read pages 12 – 13
  2. SAC Notes -

For each sub – heading below, write a sentence with an example explain what it means.

- The law must be known and understood

- The law must reflect values and be accepted

- The law must be able to adapt to change

- The law must be stable and consistent

- The law must be enforceable

Learning Goal:1.4 Identify and explain the distinction between criminal and civil laws

  1. Read pages 14 – 15
  2. SAC Notes - Write two paragraphs. The first paragraph will be on Criminal Law explaining what this means. The second paragraph will be on Civil Law explaining what this means.
  3. SAC Notes - In your own words, explain the difference between the following key terms;

-Defendant and plaintiff

-Beyond reasonable doubt and balance of probability

-Sanction and damages

Learning Goal:1.5 Understand the division of law-making power between the Commonwealth and state parliaments

  1. Read pages 16 – 18
  2. Answer questions 1 – 7 on page 18

Learning Goal: 1.6 Understand the Federal parliament and its characteristics and role in law-making

  1. Read pages 19 – 22
  2. SAC Notes - complete the following summaries

a) Write the heading “Commonwealth Parliament”. In your first paragraph, explain the lower house “the House of Representatives”.

b) In your next paragraph, explain “The Senate”.

c) In your third paragraph, explain “The Governor- General”.

  1. In your “classwork section”, write the heading “1.6 Federal Parliament” and answer questions 1 – 7 on page 22

Learning Goal:1.7 Understand the State parliament and its characteristics and role in law-making

  1. Read pages 23 – 25
  2. SAC Notes- complete the following summaries

a) Write the heading Victorian Parliament. In your first paragraph, explain the lower house “the Legislative Assembly”.

b) In your next paragraph, explain “the Legislative Council”.

c) In your third paragraph, explain “The Governor- Queens Representative at state level”.

Learning Goal:1.8 Explain and evaluate the process of making law in parliament

  1. Read pages 26 – 27
  2. SAC Notes - complete the following summaries:

Explain the stages of a bill through parliament in separate and short paragraphs.

  1. Explain how this process is a strength of parliament.
  2. Explain how this process may be considered a weakness of parliament.

1.9 Role and characteristics of subordinate authorities in law making

  1. Read pages 30 – 33
  2. SAC Notes - complete the following summaries:

a)Explain all four types of subordinate authorities in separate paragraphs.

b)Explain how having subordinate authorities is considered a key strength of parliament.

c)Explain how having subordinate authorities may be considered a weakness of parliament.

  1. Answer questions 1 – 4 and 6 on page 33

Questions to ask in class in 2016 – please keep track of your questions. Get into the habit of writing these down!

LEGAL STUDIES Unit 1: Criminal law in action SAC One

Area of study 1: Law in society

All societies have rules and laws that govern the behaviour of individuals and groups so that order is maintained and individual rights are protected. Students develop an understanding of the role of the law and the need for effective laws, as well as the concept that the law confers rights and responsibilities on members of society in their dealings with each other. Students investigate the difference between legal and non-legal rules through a consideration of who makes, interprets and enforces rules and to whom they apply. Students gain an understanding of the role of parliament and subordinate authorities in law-making, and the types of laws each creates.

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the need for effective laws and describe the main sources and types of law in society. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 1.

Assessment:

Your task will be 20% of Unit One and is a CLOSED book, 35 minute task. You will be required to answer a selection of short answer to long answer questions.

Key knowledge

This knowledge includes:

• the difference between legal and non-legal rules (three differences should be fine)

• the need for laws (two reasons with examples = two paragraphs)

• characteristics of an effective law (two reasons with examples = two paragraphs)

• the distinction between criminal law and civil law (two paragraphs will be fine)

• an overview of the role and characteristics of parliament and subordinate authorities in lawmaking. For this key knowledge will need to include;

-The structure of both Commonwealth and Victorian Parliament. Both the upper and lower houses as well as the crown. (this should have one introductory sentence, one paragraph on the lower house facts and one on the aim of the lower house, a paragraph on the upper house facts and one paragraph on the upper house aims, the last paragraph should be on the crown. Do this answer structure for both the Commonwealth Parliament and the Victorian Parliament). This is how to set out your answer in unit one and unit three.

-How a bill passes through parliament. Know each stage. One to two sentences on each stage should be fine.

-Explain the four types of subordinate authorities (one paragraph for each) and one strength and weakness of law making by subordinate authorities. Use examples where possible.

-You will need to know 2 strengths and two weaknesses of parliament. Think about what we know about Parliament. What is good about their law making? What weaknesses might they have. Ask me to help you if you need some ideas. This will be either DISCUSS or EVALUATE.

Legal Studies paragraph structure

The first sentence of each paragraph should be short and use the question in your first sentence. This is called your POINT sentence. Your second sentence should explain your point and is known as your EXPLAIN sentence. If you can, you would put an example in for your EXAMPLE sentence and finally link back to your point in your LINK BACK sentence.

∆At the beginning of each paragraph, your first sentence should be the point to the paragraph and should be a short first sentence. For example if the question asked for two reasons why laws need to be changed you would write in the first paragraph and the first sentence, “One reason why laws may need to be changed is….”. In the second paragraph, you would write “A second reason why laws may need to change is….”

This is known as PEEL paragraphs. You will use Point and Explain usually in 1 mark - 3 mark type questions, any question asking you to DISCUSS/EVALUATE will have PEEL used in each paragraph. We will practise this together.

Types of questions and general advise on paragraph structure.

∆Each Paragraph should have one point in there and one only.

∆Evaluate (provide an introduction sentence. Your first paragraph should agree with the question. Your second paragraph should disagree with the question. Your last paragraph should start with “in conclusion, although there are weaknesses such as – and name your point, the strength being – and name your point, outweighs any weaknesses).

∆Discuss type question may be given to you. This means you need to work on your answer structure. You would have an introductory sentence. Then your first paragraph will need to be “agreeing” with the question. The second paragraph will look at the opposing argument (eg, on the other hand….) For example “discuss the strengths of parliament”. You don’t need a conclusion paragraph in a discuss question.

Key skills

These skills include the ability to:

• define key legal terminology and use it appropriately

• classify rules as either legal or non-legal

• consider the effectiveness of selected laws

• identify legal problems that might be addressed by criminal or civil law

• describe the role of parliament and subordinate authorities in law-making.

Tips for successful completions of SACs.

∆TIME ALLOCATION – how long does it take you to write a paragraph?

∆Thorough preparation is essential for the successful completion of this task.

∆You will need to write clearly, so that I can read your answers.

∆Look at mark allocation, the general rule is for 2 marks, you need a paragraph. The longer the question, the more time you should spend writing your answer.

∆Use examples wherever you can to illustrate your understanding of the content.

∆Use the words of the question in your answer. If the question asks you to evaluate the effectiveness, you will need to use the word “effective” in your answer. Eg the parliament is effective in making laws. Sometimes, the parliament is not effective in making laws.

∆If you make a mistake, put a line through it. Examiners in year 12 will not read any material that has a line or scribble through it BUT if in doubt, keep it in. Don’t use correction tape.

 During reading time

∆Complete mental plans for each answer using specific knowledge learnt this year to support your answer.

Performance descriptors

The following descriptor provides a guide to the level of performance typically demonstrated in the assessment task.

MARK RANGE / DESCRIPTOR: typical performance in each range
Very High / Comprehensive and detailed explanation of the law, the role and structures of the Australian parliamentary system. Very thorough and coherent description of laws, there effectiveness and the reasons why the law may need to change. Very detailed and logical explanation of the process of making the law and subordinate authorities, including the use of contemporary examples. Evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of parliament as a law-making body. Specific factual information and definitions are used throughout the SAC as the use of evidence to support answers. Answers are clearly written, using clear answer structure and paragraph structure. Answers also refer to the question – specific words and phrases are incorporated into your answer.
High / Detailed explanation of the law, the role and structures of the Australian parliamentary system. Coherent description of laws, there effectiveness and the reasons why the law may need to change. A logical explanation of the process of making the law and subordinate authorities, including the use of contemporary examples. Moderate evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of parliament as a law-making body. Factual information and definitions are used throughout the SAC as the use of evidence to support answers. Answers are clearly written, sometimes using clear answer structure and paragraph structure. Answers refer to the question.
Medium / A good explanation of the law, the role and structures of the Australian parliamentary system. Satisfactory description of laws, there effectiveness and the reasons why the law may need to change. An explanation of the process of making the law and subordinate authorities, including the use of examples. The strengths and weaknesses of parliament as a law-making body have been included. Information and definitions are used throughout the SAC as the use of evidence to support answers. Answers are written in a mostly structured way. Answers refer to the question.
Low / Some explanation of the law, the role and structures of the Australian parliamentary system. Some description of laws, there effectiveness and the reasons why the law may need to change. Some explanation of the process of making the law and subordinate authorities, including the use of examples. Some evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of parliament as a law-making body. Some factual information and definitions are used throughout the SAC. Some answers may be clearly written, sometimes using clear answer structure and paragraph structure. Answers sometimes refer to the question.
Very Low / Limited explanation of the law, the role and structures of the Australian parliamentary system. Limited description of laws, there effectiveness and the reasons why the law may need to change. Minimal explanation of the process of making the law and subordinate authorities, including the use of examples. Minimal evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of parliament as a law-making body. Minimal factual information included.

SACS ARE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LET ME KNOW HOW WELL YOU HAVE WORKED AND WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT. THESE ARE GREAT PRACTISE FOR THE END OF YEAR EXAM.