Learning Area Legal Studies 1 (EDUC91108)

This subject introduces Teacher Candidates to the theory and practice of teaching Legal Studies in the context of Australian/Victorian Curricula and Frameworks. This subject provides Teacher Candidates with both the knowledge base and skills of professional practice, enabling them to effectively educate senior secondary school students (VCE) in this specific learning area, and to work effectively within school contexts.

Teacher Candidates are supported to develop knowledge and skills related to curriculum content, best practice pedagogy and assessment, as well as the application and management of these activities in classrooms. Framed through the Clinical Teaching Model, they are supported to adapt and apply this knowledge in lesson planning, including the selection and integration of teaching strategies and resources, including the effective and appropriate use of ICT, to meet the specific needs of students from diverse backgrounds, and to engage students in their learning.

The assessment tasks in this subject will support the development of Teacher Candidates’ understanding of contemporary theories and pedagogies of the Legal Studies field and their relationship with content and pedagogical knowledge, along with specific skills in developing, sequencing, and delivering programs.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, Teacher Candidates should be able to:

• Critically reflect on research into how students learn through an emerging understanding of Legal Studies curriculum and theory and implications for effective teaching practice.
• Design achievable Legal Studies learning goals, lesson plans and learning sequences, integrating knowledge of student learning, curriculum, assessment, and reporting.
• Demonstrate strong Legal Studies subject and pedagogical content knowledge that meets the specific needs of students from diverse backgrounds and promotes participation and inclusion of all students in their learning.
• Select and integrate Legal Studies teaching strategies and resources, including ICT, to meet the specific needs of students from diverse backgrounds, and to engage students in their learning.

Generic skills