Maintaining The Rage: Values Education Embedded In Queensland Senior Legal Studies

A multitude of significant legal and social issues face individuals and groups alike in Australian society on a day-to-day basis. In order to effectively manage these issues and move through the legal and moral mindfield that beckons, it is important for young people to be informed of their legal positions, rights, responsibilities and duties in relation to anything and everything around them (Eekelaark, 1992). As a result of completing a course in Legal Studies, young people in their senior phase of learning stand to develop an enhanced ability to recognise and discuss diverse legal situations and issues that arise throughout their time at school as well as in their lives beyond the classroom. Through the processes of critical analysis, examination and problem solving, Legal Studies students are empowered to make decisions which may benefit themselves and the communities at large (Citizenship Foundation, 2012). For this reason, the incorporation of values and values-based education is becoming increasingly important, signalled by national policy documents and values education-centric syllabus structures across Australia. The learning experiences of students in particular relevance to Legal Studies should incorporate a number values and notions related to social justice and equity for all, as these values lie at the core of the Australian law and justice systems as we know it (Connell, 1993).

Legal Studies by notion, is intended to provide the opportunity for students in their senior years of schooling to develop the knowledge, the application and tangible skills, as well as the attitudes and values, necessary to enhance their awareness and ability to participate actively as more informed, proactive and critical members of a de...

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