Humanities -  Order In The Court!

Subject Area: Humanities / Civics & Citizenship

Unit of Study: Order In The Court!

Brief Description: Order in the Court will explore how the Australian judicial system (courts) resolves and determines both criminal and civil cases. Students will use a recent criminal and civil case to analyse and apply the role and function of the court system to the facts of the case.

Scaffolding Learning

At the conclusion of this unit of study students will have: 

An understanding of key knowledge

• The Victorian Court Hierarchy and the jurisdiction of each court.
• The role and responsibilities of the court personnel: Judge, jury and legal representatives.
• The Australian Constitution and the High Court.

Attained these key skills 

• Define and identify legal terminology.
• Explain the role of individuals, laws and the court system in achieving justice, equality and access.
• Justify the existence of the court hierarchy.

Demonstrated the Victorian curriculum standards and capabilities

• 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)
• Discuss the key principles of Australia’s justice system, including equality before the law, independent judiciary, and right of appeal  (VCCCL034)
• Examine the influence of a range of media, including social media, in shaping identities and attitudes to diversity and how ideas about Australian identity may be influenced by global events  (VCCCC038)

Assessment Tasks

Students will be required to complete the following assessment tasks:

• Case study evaluation
• Mock trial

Additional learning opportunities

• Excursion to the court
• Guest speaker on the legal system 

Resources

• Order in the Court booklet of key knowledge
• Exercise book

Pathways

This unit of study could provide students with the following pathway.