Law Pathway - Oaks Christian School

LAW
Students in the law pathway will become effective and articulate debaters. Courses in public speaking, law, and psychology will allow students to better understand how to formulate and structure an effective argument, whether in written or oral form. Students will benefit from guest speakers and mentors from a wide variety of the legal field, including private practice, public service, and non-profits. Field trips to courts and internship opportunities provide experience far beyond the confines of a classroom. Students will also be able to participate in our award-winning Mock Trial team as well as participate in Stanford’s annual debate tournament.

Intro to Global Leadership

This course gives students the foundational tools used throughout the Global Leadership Institute. Students are exposed to ideas from a variety of leadership thinkers, such as Stephen Covey, Jim Collins, and Simon Sinek. Students will learn about the model of ethical servant-leadership. Additionally, students will become aware of their own individual strengths and weaknesses. Exposure to each of the Global Leadership pathways (business and law) will allow students to explore which areas they are most interested in. Outstanding guest speakers provide real-world leadership examples.

Speech and Debate

This course introduces the students to a variety of styles of public speaking and formal debate. Through research and practice students will become familiar with these styles through instruction, research, and practice. Each unit will culminate in performance assignments that require students to demonstrate their abilities within the classroom setting. Opportunities to take their knowledge to competition at the local and state level will be made available to students.

AP Human Geography

AP Human Geography introduces students to college-level introductory human geography or cultural geography. The content is presented thematically rather than regionally and is organized around the discipline’s main subfields: economic geography, cultural geography, political geography, and urban geography. The approach is spatial and problem oriented. Case studies are drawn from all world regions, with an emphasis on understanding the world in which we live today. Historical information serves to enrich analysis of the impacts of phenomena such as globalization, colonialism, and human–environment relationships on places, regions, cultural landscapes, and patterns of interaction.

Servant Leadership

This course allows students to examine the concept of leadership through the lens of Christianity. Students learn about biblical leadership through the servant-leadership paradigm. A hallmark of the course is guest speakers. Throughout the semester, students “live” alongside a Christian leader of their own choice, becoming an expert on their leader’s biography—not just their history, but their influences, beliefs, successes, and failures.

Communication

Students focus on two of Gardner’s multiple intelligences: intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence. A significant portion of the course involves understanding the “Big Five” personality traits. Students develop intrapersonal intelligence by thoughtfully reflecting on their own personal virtues and faults. Interpersonal skills are developed through teambuilding exercises that explore group dynamics. Additionally, students develop public speaking skills, specifically with three types of speeches: introductory, informative, and persuasive. The final assessment will be a TED-style speech.

Constitutional Law

This course introduces the United States Constitution. Topics to be covered include constitutional interpretation, the function of judicial review, the role of the states and the federal government in the federal structure, and the allocation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Students learn how to apply the law to practical scenarios. The class features guest speakers such as lawyers and judges, along with a field trip to the California Supreme Court to watch oral arguments.

Strategic Decision Making

This course serves as an introductory course to the three major components of strategy: competitive strategy, corporate strategy, and global strategy. This course involves several different types of class sessions. Specifically, students discuss cases and (occasionally HBR-style articles), engage with guest speakers from industry, and bring in current topics in strategy from the business press. Unique to this class, students are taught using the case study method and Socratic teaching techniques.

AP Comparative Government and Politics

AP Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to the rich diversity of political life outside the United States. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students compare the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues by examining how different governments solve similar problems. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments.

AP Psychology

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.

Personal Finance

This course will inform students how individual choices directly influence occupational goals and future earnings potential. Real world topics covered will include income, money management, spending and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets utilizing checking and saving accounts, gain knowledge in finance, debt and credit management, and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions leading to financial independence.

Individualized Learning

The capstone course is a student-directed self-study project where students work with teachers and mentors in relevant fields on a learning experience, aimed at a SMART (specific and strategic, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound) goal. Students are challenged to design and create their own learning experience by pursuing an area of interest. Teachers provide student-centered guidance and support. At the conclusion of the experience, students will present their results in our signature OCS Global Leadership Summit.