Field          Social Sciences

 

Review, and revision and rollover of Legal Studies unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

ID

Social Science Studies

Legal Studies

8543, 8544, 8545, 8546, 8547, 8551, 8552, 8554, 8555, 10337, 10338, 10340-10342, 10344, 10345, 10347, 10349, 10351, 23699

 

NZQA National Qualifications Services (NQS) has completed the review, and revision and rollover of the unit standards listed above.  The standards in bold have been revised and rolled over.

 

Date new versions published                                                                    December 2012

 

Planned review date for revised and rolled over standards             December 2015

Planned review date for new standards                                                 December 2017

 

Summary

 

In 2011, NQS initiated the review of Legal Studies unit standards as part of a normal cycle of review.  The standards in the Legal Studies domain were last reviewed in 2007 and have shown steady usage at Levels 1-3, particularly by secondary schools.

 

Pre-review feedback indicated a need for the standards to include Merit and Excellence grades, which became a significant goal for this project.  The Ministry of Education (MoE) was concurrently developing Teaching and Learning Guidelines for Legal Studies containing Learning Objectives aligned with Levels 6-8 of the New Zealand Curriculum - these guidelines were used to inform the review.

 

A review panel comprising representatives from secondary schools, Victoria University, and Youth Law was convened.  Eighteen new Legal Studies standards with Achieved, Merit and Excellence grades were developed - six at each of Levels 1, 2 and 3.  National consultation on the draft standards was conducted throughout March 2012 via the consultation section of the NZQA website.  The review was completed in May 2012.

 

A small number of existing registered legal studies unit standards that showed usage were revised and rolled over at the request of a representative of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu or Te Kura - The Correspondence School.  These standards were identified as being of value to their learners and may be considered for grading at their next planned review.  Minor amendments were made to update legislation and update evidence requirements to current style.

 

Main changes

 

·      Eighteen new unit standards containing Achieved, Merit and Excellence grades were developed.

·      Unit standards 8543, 8544, 8546, 8547, 8554, 10338, 10341, 10342, 10344, 10345, 10349, 10351, and 23699 were replaced by some of the new standards with grades (Achieved, Merit and Excellence).

·      Unit standards 8545, 8551, 8552, 8555, 10337, and 10347 were revised and rolled over to extend the planned review date to December 2015, with amendments made to the evidence requirements and legislation.

·      Unit standards 10340 and 10342 were designated expiring without replacement as usage of these unit standards was comparatively low.

 

Category C and D unit standards will expire at the end of December 2014

 

Impact on existing organisations with consent to assess

 

Current consent for

Consent extended to

Nature of consent

Classification or ID

Level

Nature of consent

Classification or ID

Level

Standard

8543

2

Standard

27842

2

Standard

8546

2

Standard

27844

1

Standard

8547

2

Standard

27844

1

Standard

8554

2

Standard

27842

2

 

Impact on registered qualifications

 

Key to type of impact

Affected

The qualification lists a reviewed classification (domain or subfield) in an elective set

The qualification lists a standard that has changes to level or credits

The qualification lists a C or D category standard

Not materially affected

The qualification lists a standard that has a new title

The qualification lists a standard that has a new classification

 

The following table identifies a qualification developed by another SSB that is affected by the outcome of this review.  The SSB has been advised that the qualification requires revision.

 

Ref

Qualification Title

Classification or ID

SSB Name

0560

National Certificate in Security (Communications) (Level 3)

8546

The Skills Organisation

 

Detailed list of reviewed unit standards - classification, title, level, and credits

 

All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID

D

Standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Social Sciences > Social Science Studies > Legal Studies

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

8543

 

Describe the role of law and its relationship with New Zealand society

2

 

2

 

C

 

8554

Describe elements and remedies for breach of a contract

2

2

C

27842

Explain concepts of law

2

4

 

8544

 

Describe how laws are made and changed in New Zealand

2

4

C

27848

Explain a law making process

2

4

 

8546

Describe the New Zealand judicial system

2

2

C

8547

Describe the role, and operation of the Youth Justice System

2

3

C

27844

Demonstrate understanding of litigation and dispute resolution processes in New Zealand

1

4

 

 

10338

Describe and compare methods of dispute resolution in the legal system

2

3

C

10349

 

Describe and evaluate criminal and civil court processes, and systems of justice

3

 

4

 

C

 

27845

Explain litigation and dispute resolution processes

2

4

 

10340

Describe the application of law to discrimination

2

2

D

10341

 

Describe and evaluate the legal relationship between the state and the individual

3

 

4

 

C

 

10351

Describe and evaluate the New Zealand criminal justice system

3

4

C

23699

Describe and apply civil law to specific situations

3

4

C

27846

Evaluate litigation and dispute resolution processes in relation to challenging state power

3

4

 

10342

Describe the application of law to wills and intestacy

2

2

D

10344

Describe and evaluate a law reform

3

3

C

10345

Compare legal systems and their ability to accommodate differences

3

3

C

27849

Evaluate a law making process in relation to a significant legal issue

3

4

 

 

27835

Demonstrate understanding of concepts of democracy and government

1

4

New

27836

Explain concepts of democracy and government in a New Zealand context

2

4

New

27837

Evaluate a concept of democracy and government in relation to restraint on state power

3

4

New

27838

Demonstrate understanding of foundational concepts of justice

1

4

New

27839

Explain concepts of justice

2

4

New

27840

Evaluate a concept of justice in relation to a specific situation

3

4

New

27841

Demonstrate understanding of concepts of law

1

4

New

27843

Evaluate a concept of law in relation to a specific situation

3

4

New

27847

Demonstrate understanding of law making processes

1

4

New

27850

Demonstrate understanding of New Zealand’s system of government and its formation and operation

1

4

New

27851

Explain systems of government and their formation and operation in a New Zealand context

2

4

New

27852

Evaluate systems of government and their formation

3

4

New

 

Detailed list of revised and rolled over unit standards - classification, title, level, and credits

 

Social Sciences > Social Science Studies > Legal Studies

ID

Title

Level

Credit

8545

Describe factors contributing to, and consequences of, crime

2

3

8551

Describe the application of New Zealand law to marriage, civil union, and de-facto relationships

2

3

8552

Describe legal consequences and protections relating to domestic violence and child abuse

2

2

8555

Describe the objectives and application of consumer law

2

3

10337

Describe the legal rights and personal responsibilities of secondary school students

2

3

10347

Demonstrate knowledge of the development of the New Zealand legal system

3

5