8600: Introduction to Public Services (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 9-11)

1530: Legal Communication I (1 credit PAR, Gr. 10-12)

Prerequisite: Introduction to Public Services or participation in Competitive Mock Trial or Competitive Debate

This 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 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. Guest speakers from the legal community will be utilized, including attorneys, paralegals, legal secretaries, and officers of the court.

1529: Public Speaking/College Speech (0.5 credit ELE, Gr. 10-12, weighted) College Credit Available

This course is designed to improve students' public speaking skills in real-world communication situations. The class challenges students to become more effective speakers and listeners in a variety of communication tasks. Students will participate in group discussions, research, listening exercises, and prepare various speeches individually, and learn to both give and receive constructive criticism.

2405: Contemporary Issues (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 10-12)

This course will focus on national and world news. As news events are discussed, emphasis will be placed on the roots of world and national situations, distinguishing between fact and opinion in the news, bias in news presentation, and recognition of various propaganda techniques used to sway public opinion. Research will be used to learn how national and international situations have developed and what proposals have been advanced to deal with these situations. Students who enroll in this course should be able to read at or above grade level, have good comprehension skills, and have the ability to think and analyze situations. They should be able to express themselves both verbally and in writing and be able and willing to participate in class discussions.

5117: Business Law (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 10-12)

This course will teach students how the laws that govern business are relevant to their everyday lives. Specific areas include kinds of laws, crimes, laws for minors, laws for families, laws for consumers, contracts, bankruptcy, repossessions, employment contracts, discrimination, landlords, and cyber laws. This course will also discuss entrepreneurship law, family law, and criminal law. Additionally this course combines practical opportunities as well as expertise of a business organization. Students will work with the local community in order to apply practical applications of economics. Entrepreneurial possibilities are available within this course. Students will learn to make economical decisions, keep business records and documents, as well as market products targeting local economical issues and business careers.

1572: Public Law (0.5 credit PAR, Grade 10-12)

This course is designed to allow the student to examine his/her place in the legal system. Course content will deal with how the law and the judicial system directly affect the individual as a well as individual rights and responsibilities under our legal system. Topics include: why law, where law comes from, different types of law, the criminal justice system, juvenile law, etc. Real world applications of these concepts will be explored as they deal with individuals in society.

1550: Legal Communication II (1 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12)

Prerequisite: Legal Communication I

This course is a continuation of the concepts learned in Legal Communication 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 courtroom 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.

2407: Psychology (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 10-12)

This course is designed to assist students in gaining an appreciation of psychology as the science of studying and understanding human behavior.  Major units of study will include: the development of philosophies and methods used to gain insights into behavior, a study of the brain and nervous system, human psychological development, psychological processes and disorders.

2411: Sociology (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 10-12)

Sociology as the study of human behavior in groups is designed to acquaint the student with the types of groups we form, how we function in these groups and how we deal with social problems resulting from the interaction within and between these groups.  These topics are analyzed through sociological perspectives in order to evaluate various interpretations and explain why people behave the way they do.

2406: Psychology - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 11-12, weighted) College Credit

This online college course through Missouri Western State University, covers general information about psychology in everyday life, designed to correct misconduct and to give the students a better understanding of self and others. 

2412: Sociology - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit SOC, Gr. 11-12, weighted) College Credit

This online college course through Missouri Western State University, covers basic sociological concepts and theories. Major topics included in this course are culture, society, societal interaction, crime, race/ethnicity, class, gender, the family, education, religion, medicine, the economy, politics and cross-cultural comparisons.

2409: Introduction to Criminal Justice - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12, weighted)

This course covers the philosophical and historical background of the criminal justice system as it relates to the individual. Course content reviews the principles underlying social organization control devices with an emphasis on such legal systems as the criminal courts, corrections, and law enforcement. The course is designed to provide general knowledge about the concept and causes of crime, the varying goals and objectives of the criminal justice system, and an assessment of specific role performance of various members of the criminal justice system including major aspects of civil process.

2410: Introduction to Juvenile Justice - Online Dual Credit (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12, weighted)

This course studies the delinquent juvenile as an individual and the impact on society. Course content investigates delinquency, causation, the role of the law enforcement officer, the juvenile officer, the juvenile court, and juvenile corrections.

2106 and 2107: AP Government AND AP Comparative Government and Politics (0.5 credit each SOC, Gr. 12) College Credit by Exam Available