Stage 1 | Subject outline | version control

Legal Studies Stage 1
Subject outline

Version 4.0 - For teaching in 2024.
Accredited in June 2020 for teaching at Stage 1 from 2021. 

Stage 1 | Subject outline | Concepts | Rights

Rights 

Through Legal Studies, students develop an understanding of the concept of ‘rights’ within the context of the law. Students should be given an opportunity to examine the different legal rights of Australians under domestic and international law, and the responsibilities that correspond with these legal rights.

Students may examine and/or analyse:

  • common law rights
  • statutory rights
  • international rights obligations
  • human rights.

Students may consider the following big questions:

  • Are the rights of all Australians adequately protected?
  • Do some groups require special attention to ensure that their rights are protected and does this require targeted policies?
  • Should the Australian Constitution include a Bill of Rights?
  • Can you have rights without responsibilities?
  • Should rights be irrespective of age/gender/social group/ethnicity?
  • Are basic human rights universal?
  • Should Australia be a signatory to international human rights agreements?