Laws and Ethics | Right, Wrong, or Just Illegal?

Laws and Ethics: Right, Wrong or Just Illegal?

Explore one of the most challenging questions people face: How do we decide what is right, wrong, fair, or legal? Every day, people make decisions that affect themselves and others. Some actions are clearly legal. Some are clearly illegal. Some actions may be legal but still seem unfair. Others may break rules but be seen by some people as morally right. Explore how laws are created, why societies have rules, and how people make ethical decisions. Investigate real-world situations, examine different viewpoints, and consider how laws, values, rights, and responsibilities can sometimes work together—or come into conflict.

$15.00

LEARNING OUTLINE

The snapshot is designed using inclusive learning principles, supporting diverse learning needs through self-paced exploration, clear instructions, flexible activity options, visual supports, and multiple ways for learners to engage, create, and reflect.

A Curiosity Snapshot is a single learning experience within the larger Curiosity Collection. Each snapshot introduces a topic through exploration, creative activities, and reflection.

The program includes:

LEARNING FOCUS

This Curiosity Snapshot introduces:
laws, rules, rights, and responsibilities
fairness, justice, and ethical decision-making
the difference between legal, illegal, ethical, and unethical actions
how values and beliefs can influence decisions
situations where legality and fairness may not always align
how and why laws change over time
the role of citizens, communities, governments, and social movements in legal change
ethical dilemmas and competing viewpoints
analysing evidence, comparing perspectives, and developing reasoned conclusions
communicating ideas through discussion, writing, diagrams, visual organisers, presentations, and creative projects

Learners will:
explore laws, rights, responsibilities, and fairness through observation and investigation
identify how laws, rules, and values influence individuals and communities
investigate situations where people may disagree about what is right, wrong, fair, or acceptable
examine examples of legal change and the factors that influence societies to change laws
explore ethical dilemmas involving competing rights, responsibilities, and viewpoints
investigate how evidence, reasoning, and different perspectives contribute to decision-making
explore how citizenship, participation, and advocacy can influence legal and social change
analyse information, compare viewpoints, and identify patterns and connections
organise information and discoveries using notes, diagrams, timelines, mind maps, charts, visual organisers, and presentations
communicate discoveries through discussion, writing, visual design, digital creation, or presentations
design and create a project that brings together ideas from the snapshot
practise curiosity, questioning, investigation, analysis, critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills

LEARNING AREAS

Learning Area	Level, Code	Descriptor
Humanities – Civics and Citizenship	Level 9–10, VC2HC10K05	The key features and values of Australia’s system of government and how citizens can participate in and influence civic decision-making.
Humanities – Civics and Citizenship	Level 9–10, VC2HC10K06	The role of laws and Australia's legal system in protecting rights and maintaining social cohesion.
Humanities – Civics and Citizenship	Level 9–10, VC2HC10K07	How individuals, groups and organisations influence policy and legal change in Australia.
Humanities – Civics and Citizenship	Level 9–10, VC2HC10S01	Analyse information, data and ideas from different sources to evaluate civic issues and challenges.
Humanities – Civics and Citizenship	Level 9–10, VC2HC10S03	Develop and present evidence-based arguments about civic issues, using appropriate forms of communication.
English	Level 10, VC2E10LA01	Understand how language choices can be used to influence opinions, positions and actions.
English	Level 10, VC2E10LE02	Analyse and evaluate how perspectives and representations are conveyed in texts.
English	Level 10, VC2E10LY03	Use comprehension strategies to analyse and evaluate ideas, viewpoints and evidence in a range of texts.
English	Level 10, VC2E10LY06	Create spoken, written and multimodal texts that present reasoned arguments and support viewpoints with evidence.
Ethical Capability	Level 9–10, VC2ECP10D01	Examine and evaluate ethical concepts, principles and issues arising in personal, social and civic contexts.
Ethical Capability	Level 9–10, VC2ECP10D02	Analyse ethical dilemmas involving competing values, rights and responsibilities.
Critical and Creative Thinking	Level 9–10, VC2CCT10I01	Analyse information and evidence from multiple sources and perspectives to develop conclusions.
Critical and Creative Thinking	Level 9–10, VC2CCT10I03	Evaluate reasoning and identify assumptions, bias, inconsistencies and alternative viewpoints.
Critical and Creative Thinking	Level 9–10, VC2CCT10I05	Develop, justify and refine ideas and solutions using evidence and logical reasoning.
Personal and Social Capability	Level 9–10, VC2PSC10A01	Evaluate how personal values, beliefs and attitudes influence decision-making and relationships.
Personal and Social Capability	Level 9–10, VC2PSC10A03	Consider different perspectives and negotiate ethical and social issues respectfully and constructively.
History	Level 9–10, VC2HH10K12	The causes and consequences of significant social, political and legal changes and their impacts on society.
History	Level 9–10, VC2HH10S02	Analyse causes, effects, continuity and change using historical sources and evidence.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

curiosity journey

Our guided learning journey that moves from curiosity to understanding. Each step
builds naturally, so your child can explore, think, create, and grow at their own pace.

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