3ZLAW

NCEA Level 3 Legal Studies

Course Description

Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Mr B. Silk, Mr M. Naicker.

What capabilities will I develop? 

Legal Studies aims to teach students to read and understand legislation and case law in NZ and overseas. This will be ideal preparation for students who wish to complete a law degree, manage their own business, or understand the ways in which the law and government influence their everyday lives. The course encourages students to discuss ideas collaboratively, and then think about how to apply legal principles to a real life NZ situation.


Course Overview

Term 1
All internals are assignment-based involving research mixed with an legal commentary about how the NZ law or case law will apply certain legal principles. Interactive teacher sessions, creative demonstrations e.g. a blind taste test, and and workbook activities are used to scaffold learning and make it interesting. This is the same for all standards listed below.
Concepts of Justice:
Concept 1: No-one is above the law
Concept 2: Coercive Power
Concept 3: Equity

Concepts of Law:
Concept 1: Crime
Concept 2: Negligence

Term 2
Litigation and Dispute Resolution processes:
Formal Means 1: Admin Review
Formal Means 2: Judicial Review
Formal Means 3: Ombudsman
Formal Means 4: Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCA)

Concepts of Democracy and Government (Human Rights)

Term 3
Concepts of Democracy and Government (Human Rights)

Significant Legal Issue - student choice

Term 4
Students can either finish internals that are incomplete or revise for externals in OTHER subjects. There are no externals in Legal Studies.

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

This course leads directly to Stage 1 University law. It will not qualify a student entry into university law as it is not a university approved subject. However, it will help any student immensely who is studying law. The current University of Auckland statistic is that anyone who studied law (L2 or L3) at school is in the top 10% of their Level 1 university class for the first semester.
See Mr Hughes HOD Legal Studies if you are interested in this option.
Is a huge help to anyone studying law at any NZ university.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

Total Credits Available: 24
Internal Assessed Credits: 24
External Assessed Credits: 0
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
U.S. 27837 v3
NZQA Info

Evaluate a concept of democracy and government in relation to restraint on state power


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 27840 v3
NZQA Info

Evaluate a concept of justice in relation to an actual situation


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 27843 v3
NZQA Info

Evaluate a concept of law in relation to an actual situation


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 27846 v3
NZQA Info

Evaluate litigation and dispute resolution processes in relation to challenging state power


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 27849 v3
NZQA Info

Evaluate a law making process in relation to a significant legal issue


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
U.S. 27852 v3
NZQA Info

Evaluate systems of government and their formation


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 24
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0