Commerce, Law and Public Policy

Course Description: 
 Accounting students learn how to prepare financial reports for businesses, how to understand the information in those reports, and how to critically assess the position and performance of a business based on this information.  

In Stage 1 students learn the building blocks of modern accounting, including double-entry record keeping and t-accounts. They construct Balance Sheet and Income Statements for businesses, and study cash management through preparing cash budgets and cash flow statements.   

Students provide advice to businesses, including by calculating ratios to investigate the profitability, liquidity and solvency of the business.  

Assumed Knowledge: 
 Stage 1 Accounting is a numeracy-rich subject. 

Assessment:
 Accounting Skills 40%  
Accounting Inquiry 30%  
Examination 30%  

Course Description: 
 In Business Innovation students apply Design Thinking processes to build and evaluate business models.  Students thus iteratively develop their way to business solutions through research, speaking with stakeholders, and particularly through designing and conducting tests. Through these processes students identify and explore customer problems to then engage in responsive product development, and marketing and finance strategies. Business models are contextualised against the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging social, digital, regulatory, and economic trends.  

Students develop skills in web site and video making to present their work in multimodal formats, as well as enhancing the persuasive skills in shark tank-style pitches.   

Assessment:
 Business Skills Tasks 40%  
Business Model Evaluation 20%  
Business Pitches 40%  

 Course Description: 
Economics is the study of how society uses its scare resources to meet people’s needs and wants. At Stage 1, students build an awareness of how markets operate for individual goods and services (microeconomics), how different market structures (e.g. monopoly and oligopoly) affect the distribution of resources and the role that government may play. This is conducted through the lens of the demand-supply model.   

In macroeconomics students learn about the circular flow of income in the economy and the macroeconomic objectives of economic growth, full employment and low inflation. Students are exposed to all the key skills of the economics discipline including use of economic models, data analysis and research. This provides valuable skills and knowledge for careers in both the private sector, academia and the government policy making.   

Assessment: 
Folio tasks 50%  
Economic Project 20%  
Examination 30%  

Course Description: 
Stage 1 Legal Studies explores how the Australian Legal System distributes and balances power. Students study the interactions of law-making institutions within Australia’s constitutional monarchy through contemporary case studies. The system is further explored in its ability to protect civil rights and facilitate influence by individuals.  

Students make a particular study of court process through extended participation in the Law Society SA mock trial competition, and visiting the courts.   

Assessment:
 Analytical Responses 10%  
Presentation 20%  
Inquiry 20%  
Examination 30%  

Course Description: 
 Accounting builds the skills and knowledge for students to successfully manage their own finances and the finances of a business. It is also a critical area of financial literacy for anyone who wants to thrive in the world of business.  

Stage 2 Accounting builds on the Stage 1 course by deepening students’ ability to interpret and analyse financial information as the basis for providing business advice.   

In addition to expanding upon topics studied in Stage 1, the Stage 2 course develops students’ understanding of stock management and debtor/creditor management.  

Assumed Knowledge: 
 Stage 2 Accounting builds upon the understanding of the concepts taught in Stage 1 Accounting. 

A minimum C grade in Stage 1 Accounting is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 2 subject. 

Assessment:
School Assessment 70%
Accounting Concepts and Solutions 40%  
Accounting Advice 30%

External Assessment 30%
 Examination 30%  

Course Description: 
 In Business Innovation, students engage with real world problems to identify, design, test, and communicate viable business solutions. Stage 2 Business Innovation is structured around two key contexts:   

• Start-up business   
• Transforming business.    

Through these contexts, students develop and apply their understanding of innovation, decision-making and project management. Student work culminates in creating a business plan outlining a cohesive proposal to market, finance and launch a business.  

Assumed Knowledge: 
 Satisfactory completion of Stage 1 Business Innovation is advantageous, but not required. 

Assessment:
 School Assessment 70%
 Business Skills 40%  
Business Model 30%  
 
External Assessment 30%
 Business Plan and Pitch 30%  

Course Description:
 Stage 2 Economics provides a highly valuable understanding of how the economy works, and the skills to engage in discussion and analysis of economic issues. These skills are highly valued throughout the business sector, and are critical for those who want to contribute to society through the development of government policies. 

The course builds upon the understanding of the concepts taught in Stage 1 Economics. Students extend their knowledge of microeconomics by exploring market failure, assessing government interventions in markets and using game theory to analyse strategic interactions between firms. 

In macroeconomics, students learn the primary ways governments attempt to guide the economy, including Fiscal and Monetary Policies. They critically assess the use of these tools by government and make recommendations about the most appropriate policy settings. 

Students apply their economics knowledge, models and skills in their major investigation, where they research and evaluate government approaches to a market failure in the context of a developing economy. 

Assumed Knowledge: 
 Stage 2 Economics builds upon the understanding of the concepts taught in Stage 1 Economics. 

A minimum C grade in Stage 1 Economics is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 2 subject. 

 Assessment:
School Assessment 70%
Folio 40% 
Economic Project 30%

External Assessment 30%
Examination 30% 

Course Description: 
 Legal Studies enables an understanding of the operation of the Australian legal system, its principles and processes, and prepares students to be informed and empowered in matters of the law and society. The system is examined in its ability to balance competing rights of individuals and groups within society. 

Students explore the checks and balances operating between law making institutions and law making processes. This is then expanded on through key cases to examine the role of the High Court, especially in its interpretation of the Constitution. Students also make an extensive evaluation of the adversarial system contrasted with inquisitorial and alternative dispute resolution systems. 

Assumed Knowledge: 
 Stage 2 Legal Studies builds upon the understanding of the concepts taught in Stage 1 Legal Studies. 

A minimum C grade in Stage 1 Legal Studies is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 2 subject. 

Assessment:
School Assessment 70%
Folio 40% 
Inquiry 30%

External Assessment 30%
Examination 30%