NCEA Level 2 Legal Studies
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Mr B. Silk, Mr M. Naicker.
Level 2 Legal Studies
What capabilities will I develop?
Legal studies explores the role of law in society and New Zealand’s laws and legal system. To be informed citizens, young people need an understanding of the concepts, principles, and processes that provide the foundations for our legal system and of the issues that confront it. Legal studies offers students the opportunity to gain such understanding in a New Zealand and a global context. Students are encouraged to learn in a collaborative environment and to reflect on -and be considerate of- opinions of others that may well differ due to cultural, moral, ethical, environmental, political and social backgrounds.
What knowledge will I develop?
The course aims to empower students with a wide knowledge base that assists them to be informed lifelong learners and contributors to society when dealing with a wide range of legal applications. We cover systems of government, reasons behind crimes and our delivery of justice, consumer law.
Course Overview
Term 1
Systems of Central Government Formation (govt structure, divisions of power, FPP vs MMP election processes, ...)
Concepts of Justice ( restorative and retributive approaches to offending)
All standards combine course notes, you tube clips, research, work book tasks, debates and discussion.
The assessments are open book with resubmissions for achieved where appropriate.
Term 2
Factors Contributing to Crime (types of crime, justice aims, consequences and causes of crime, ..)
All standards combine course notes, you tube clips, research, work book tasks, debates and discussion.
The assessments are open book with resubmissions for achieved where appropriate.
Term 3
Concepts of Law ( negligence, elements of a contract,
Rights and Objectives of Consumer Law (including fair trading act and consumer guarantees act,
All standards combine course notes, you tube clips, research, work book tasks, debates and discussion.
The assessments are open book with resubmissions for achieved where appropriate.
Term 4
Rights and Objectives of Consumer Law
Re-sit opportunity for Systems of Central Government
There are no external standards in this course, so the time students would normally spend revising for externals could be spent finishing off internals.
Recommended Prior Learning
There are no formal pre-requisites for the course but, given the assessment formats, a sound level of literacy is required.
We strongly encourage positive participation in discussions and a focus on up to date, full course notes. Given all assessments are open book the up to date notes are a key requirement to succeed.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
A personal laptop is essential for this course. If obtaining one is a barrier, please contact Ben Silk, the Kaihautu/Head of Social Sciences, at .
Pathway
Direct entry to Level 3 without having done Level 2 is very possible. See Mr Hughes HOD Legal Studies if you are interested in this option.
Leads to Level 1 Law at any NZ university, although is NOT university-approved. Is a huge help to anyone studying law at any NZ university.
Leads to careers as Business Owner, Lawyer, Court staff, Military e.g Judge Advocate law, Accountancy, Journalist, Retail worker e.g. consumer law, Business Manager.
Assessment Information
This is a Unit standards course.There are no external assessments for this subject. All assessments are open book but without the use of digital communication devices.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Describe factors contributing to, and consequences of, crime
NZQA Info
Describe the objectives and evaluate the application of consumer law
NZQA Info
Describe the legal rights and personal responsibilities of secondary school students
NZQA Info
Explain concepts of justice
NZQA Info
Explain concepts of law
NZQA Info
Explain systems for the formation of central government in a New Zealand context
Pathway Tags
Barrister, Legal Executive, Solicitor, Court taker, Police officer, Business Owner, Court Staff,