Public Services Academy: Pre-Law Pathway
8600: Introduction to Public Services (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 9-12)
The coexistence of any group of people anywhere in the world requires some form of governance administration or division of labor in order to maintain the existence of the group. The provision of these types of services by public service organizations deliver requires the full time attention of some members of the group. This course provides an overview of the public services systems and examines the purpose, history, organization, approach, functions of these systems with a special emphasis on current issues, trends, successes and challenges from a population perspective.
1530: Legal Communications I (1 credit PAR, Gr. 10-12)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Public Services or participation in Competitive Mock Trial
Legal Communications I is a practical, hands on course for students interested in careers in law, legal studies, or the criminal justice system. Students will study and apply the skills of legal argumentation
mentation strategies and oral advocacy, learn and apply the legal rules of evidence for courtroom use and evidence presentation, and will learn to research and analyze legal court cases. Students will participate in classroom mock trials to help them synthesize and apply their acquired knowledge. Visits to city and county courtrooms to observe the legal process will be included. Guest speakers from the legal community will be utilized, including attorneys, paralegals, legal secretaries, and officers of the court.
1550: Legal Communications II (1 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12)
Prerequisite: Legal Communications I
Legal Communications II is a continuation of the concepts learned in Legal Communications I, but at an advanced level. Students will study and apply the skills of legal argumentation strategies and oral advocacy at an advanced level, learn and apply more advanced rules of evidence for court- room use and evidence presentation, and will utilize electronic legal resources to research and analyze legal court cases. Students will participate at an advanced level in mock trials. Students must participate on a competitive Mock Trial team or participate in the Independence Youth Court. Guest speakers and mentors from the legal community will be utilized, including attorneys, paralegals, legal secretaries, and officers of the court.
1521: Competitive Debate I (1 credit ELE, Gr. 9-12)
Competitive Debate I is an introductory course to develop critical thinking, teach structured argumentation, and introduce basic library research skills. Students practice written communication of the issues introduced and perform oral communication of the events introduced. Participation in interscholastic competition is required. Students must remain eligible as defined by MSHSAA.
1523: Competitive Debate II (1 credit ELE, Gr. 10-12)
Prerequisite: Competitive Debate I
Competitive Debate II is designed to develop further critical thinking, teach persuasive argumentation and introduce computerized library re- search skills. Students will practice written and oral communication of current national debate topics. Emphasis will be on improved writing skills and enhanced performance skills. Participation in interscholastic competition is required. Students must remain eligible as defined by MSHSAA.
1525: Competitive Debate III—Dual Credit (1 credit ELE, Gr. 11-12, weighted)
Prerequisite: Competitive Debate II
Competitive Debate III is designed as a complete study of the national debate topics. Higher-level reasoning skills, critical thinking, basic theories of argumentation and university- based library research are required. Emphasis will be on oral presentational skills in a minimum of two events. Semester evaluation of advanced-level research and theory proficiency is required. Participation in interscholastic debate competitions is required on a regular basis. Students (twelfth grade only) enrolled for both semesters in Competitive Debate III are eligible to participate in the college credit course, COMM 110. Metropolitan Community College fees are required for students enrolled for three hours of college credit. Participation in interscholastic competition is required. Students must remain eligible as defined by MSHSAA.
1527: Competitive Debate IV—Dual Credit (1 credit ELE, Gr. 12, weighted)
Prerequisite: Competitive Debate III
Competitive Debate IV is a complete study of national debate topics and requires interscholastic performance in at least three competitive events. The course requires semester evaluations of proficiency in advanced theory and oral presentations, peer coaching of Level I and II students, and supervisory positions in the tournament hosted by the school. Students enrolled for both semesters in Advanced Debate IV are eligible to participate in the college credit course, COMM 110. Metropolitan Community College fees are required for students enrolled for three hours of college credit. Participation in interscholastic competition is required. Students must remain eligible as defined by MSHSAA.
2409: Introduction to Criminal Justice (1 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12)
Prerequisite: Police Science or Legal Communications II
The history, nature and function of the criminal justice system in America. Special attention is given to the philosophical basis underlying this system and to the problems associated with crime control in a democratic society. At each stage of the process, major issues confronting the system are examined.