Stage 2 | Subject outline | version control

Legal Studies Stage 2
Subject outline

Version 4.0
For teaching in Australian and SACE International schools from January 2023 to December 2023.
For teaching in SACE International schools only from May/June 2023 to March 2024 and from May/June 2024 to March 2025. Accredited in June 2020 for teaching at Stage 2 from 2021.
Accredited in June 2020 for teaching at Stage 2 from 2021. 

Stage 2 | Subject outline | Capabilities | Critical and creative thinking

Critical and creative thinking

In this subject, students extend and apply their critical and creative thinking capability by, for example:

  • developing and/or responding to large, overarching questions to frame their learning and inquiry
  • thinking about their thinking and learning (metacognition)
  • synthesising information in order to critically compare and contrast elements, principles, or structures of the Australian legal system with that of another country, nation, or international organisation
  • critically analysing sources of information for credibility, reliability, bias, and usefulness
  • examining and reflecting upon the multiple perspectives that are involved in the development of new laws (both legislature and case law) to respond to questions about justice, fairness, rights and responsibilities, and empowerment
  • analysing context, the law, and the changing society to make informed recommendations for change in the legal system
  • breaking complex constructs and concepts into smaller manageable components for critical analysis and evaluation
  • creating well-reasoned, research-oriented arguments that consider multiple perspectives on current legal issues.