Yr.12 Legal Studies: Crime – Effectiveness of sentencing & punishment as a means of achieving justice

NSW Legal Studies syllabus HSC course

This learning activity is aligned to the syllabus ‘learn to’ statement:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of sentencing and punishment as a means of achieving justice.

The aim for this learning activity is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the course content through reference to either contemporary case studies, media events or amendments to legislation.

The learning activity allows students to investigate role of sentencing and punishment from the differing perspectives of the victim and the community. Reference to a variety of contemporary sentencing decisions will assist students to better understand that often victims of crime may find it difficult to find justice due to obstacles in the legal system. Students will also investigate the changing nature of sentencing since the start of the 21st century.

The activity requires students to read reference material and to complete a series of review-based questions.

This learning activity is also cross reference with syllabus outcomes as well as aligned to the relevant theme and challenge component.

The inclusion of contemporary media events, BOCSAR statistics and court cases is well suited to act as a supplement for student class notes.