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Developing learning pathways

The principle of coherence (The New Zealand Curriculum, p. 9), states that:

'The curriculum offers all students a broad education that makes links within and across learning areas, provides for coherent transitions, and opens up pathways to further learning.'

Broadly speaking, for educators in the curriculum learning areas and senior secondary subjects, this principle translates into having to consider:

  • how students become interested in a discipline
  • how students can identify a pathway through secondary school
  • how students can see where learning may take them, either into further tertiary learning or into employment.

All students who take legal studies develop understandings, skills, and attributes that give them the confidence to become lifelong learners who are critical thinkers, active seekers and users of knowledge, and informed decision makers.

The curriculum encourages students to look to the future by exploring the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. Knowledge gained in legal studies will enable them to become discerning and discriminating recipients of information about New Zealand’s politico-legal system as they learn to decode media reports of parliamentary and court proceedings.

Knowledge gained through legal studies will encourage active citizenship, developing the competencies of students to participate and contribute in our legal system through such important processes as voting in elections, and serving on juries.

Legal studies and the Treaty of Waitangi

Legal studies can also provide a basis for increased understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is the cornerstone of our bicultural foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand, and also a document with an increasingly significant place in, and influence on, the legal system of New Zealand.

Legal studies also has a place in furthering a student’s community engagement. The role of law, which is such a significant part of any Legal Studies course, connects with their wider lives by emphasising how much they are surrounded by law in their day-to-day living. They are better able to meet the challenges, such as relationships, and employment, that living in a community in the 21st century may throw up at them.

Connections to the community

Involvement in learning activities in the real world of Legal Studies connects students to the legal community. These connections can be further developed as students are exposed to a range of possible careers.

Some students may pursue tertiary studies in law-related courses at polytechnics, wānanga, or universities. Legal studies gives students a good foundation for further study as it introduces them to the principles and concepts, systems and processes, and issues that underpin our legal system.

Possible avenues

  • The study of law as a way into the legal profession or into business. Main areas of growth are:
    • property law
    • corporate law
    • construction law
    • banking and finance law
    • environmental law.
  • The study of law may also lead students into government service or agencies working in such areas as the courts, justice or corrections, or in providing policy advice in a variety of governmental contexts.
  • The study of mediation theory and practice which leads into the area of private dispute resolution as a mediator.
  • The study of criminology or forensic science which may be useful in the police.
  • A legal executive course in order to work in a law firm.

Legal careers and pathways

Last updated March 29, 2021



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