The coexistence of any group of people requires some form of governance or division of labor in order to maintain the existence of the group. The provision of these types of public services requires the full-time attention of some members of the group. This course provides an overview of the public service systems and examines the purpose, history, organization, approach, and functions of these systems with a special emphasis on current issues, trends, successes, and challenges from a population perspective. 

5124: Office Productivity Suite (0.5 credit PAR, Gr. 9-12)

This course is designed to help students master beginning skills in the areas of word processing, spreadsheet software, and the proper creation and application of professional presentations. Students will learn file management, how to save and find files, use a network, and share files with others for collaboration.  Students will learn the software skills needed in Microsoft and Google to be effective in school and the workplace. Advanced projects combining all of Microsoft Office and Google software will be included in the course.

1806: Human Growth and Development (1 credit PAR, Gr. 10-12)

Prerequisite:  Professions in Education or Introduction to Public Services

In this course you will gain an understanding of the areas and stages of human growth and development. The course provides an examination of the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social components of human growth and development from birth through adolescence. You will learn to meet the needs of children and promote optimum growth and development in the prenatal, infancy, toddler, preschool and school-age stages.

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.

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.

9425: Educational Psychology - Online Dual Credit (0.5 Credit SOC, Gr. 12, weighted) College Credit     

This online college course, through Missouri Western State University, covers principles of general psychology applied to the total educational process. Special emphasis is given to the principles of growth and development, learning theories, readiness and maturity, individual differences and emotional learning.

1808: Social Services Capstone (1-2 credits PAR, Gr. 12)

This capstone is a project that allows students to learn about themselves by moving an idea or dream toward a topic of interest, specialization, community need, or career choice. As part of this course, all students must complete a capstone experience which may include, but is not limited to: senior project, virtual enterprise, internship, externship, work-based learning, service learning, community service, etc.

This course can be taken as either one or two credits, depending on the chosen project. In the spring semester of the student’s junior year, the student will develop a capstone proposal for approval.