Does your student have an interest in law and government with a keen sense of justice? Do you want to help nurture that interest for a possible future in the legal profession or government service? This Pre-Law and Government Center was developed with your student in mind—to give them the foundational background and reasoning skills needed. We want to prepare our high school students to be advocates of truth so they can stand alone, if necessary, in our cultural war. The training included here will help all students be responsible citizens, even if they do not choose a legal vocation.
Students who want to think logically, analyze accurately, and speak persuasively will be most motivated to do well in these courses, but the content will benefit all students. In every calling in life we help others if we can understand concepts, write well, and speak effectively. These courses are within the framework of a Biblical worldview and the governmental structure of a constitutional republic.
Because knowing the Bible and Biblical principles are important, the course selections include Biblical studies. The goal is to give students a mindset of using their talents for the cause of Christ in law and government. A student will learn the Biblical values and concepts at the root of Western law and culture. Courses in Mathematics and Science are included as exercises in logic and reasoning. Additional courses will be added as they are developed.
Featured Resources
Biblical Philosophy of Government (Grades 11-12): Written by Robert J. Barth, the dean of Oak Brook College of Law, this course delves into the Biblical foundations of government and how the worldview of a country’s citizens affects the style of government they select and the laws that are passed. This is critical information for informed citizens, as well as for aspiring legal or political students.
This Changed Everything: Turning Points in History (Grades 9–12): Examine some of the most important documents and pivotal moments in history that led to the foundations of liberty. Starting with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, trace a path through the Magna Carta and the Reformation to the founding documents of the United States.
Introduction to Worldview and Philosophy (Grades 9–12): This course is designed to help students recognize their own worldview and philosophy and equip them to compare, develop, and defend a position that is reasonable, realistic, and theologically sound. Students will learn to be able to trace the history of western philosophy from its Greek origins through independent research.
Going Deeper: Exploring God’s Word (Grades 9–12): This video course takes an in-depth look at the writers of the Gospels, Romans, events from the history of Israel, how Jesus relates to the Jewish feasts, and God's covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David.
Schoolhouse Bible (Grades 9–11 as a series and/or grade 12 as an intensive study): Schoolhouse Bible has a Bible reading guide for every grade, as well as Bible memorization passages. A student who follows the curriculum every year from ninth through twelfth grade will have studied the Bible through twice, once in grades 9–11 and again in grade 12. Additional activities help students internalize and apply the Word of God.
Unbreakable Faith (Grades 11–12): This video course builds an intellectually defensible and God-honoring worldview that in turn helps to develop a truly Unbreakable Faith.
Public Speaking (Introduction) (Grades 8–12): This introductory course teaches the basics of public speaking and the several types of speeches.
Advanced Public Speaking (Grades 8–12): Building on Public Speaking (Introduction), this course requires the student to study various types of speeches and both write and deliver several of his or her own.
Logic (Grades 7–12): Learn to analyze statements, advertisements, and arguments and to identify faulty reasoning contained in each. Common fallacies discussed include the appeal to pity, appeal to fear, begging the question, hasty generalization, and many more.
United States History: Exploration to the Present Day (Grades 9–12): Get a foundational understanding of the major events in US history.
Research:
How to Do Research (Grades 4–12): This course guides students through the entire research process to create a unique research project. Students will learn about planning their research, conducting their research, evaluating their sources, compiling and organizing their data, reviewing their work, and presenting their information. Topics such as plagiarism, keywords, using both paper and electronic sources, primary and secondary resources, and more are also explored in this language arts course for upper elementary through high school homeschool students.
How to Write a Research Paper (Grades 3–5): This unit study serves as an overview for students needing a quick reference guide.
Navigating the World of Research (Grades 3–6): Navigating the World of Research introduces elementary students to several of the most common types of research tools available, explains how and when to use each one as well as how to cite them, and explains how to judge reliability and spot bias in the resources they use.
Research Skills for Middle School (Grade 6–8): This six-week study is designed to supplement a middle school language arts class or help students brush up on research skills. Topics covered include using a dictionary, library skills, writing a bibliography, checking the accuracy of online information, and writing a proper citation.
Writing Skills:
Benjamin Franklin Writing Method (Grades 7–12): Follow in Benjamin Franklin’s footsteps by borrowing his step-by-step study method to improve the student’s own writing. Each lesson will offer a different selection to study. Topics studied include active reading, notetaking, narration, analysis, and writing in a variety of literary genres.
The Writing Life: Learn to Write Well (Grades 9–12): The Writing Life: Learn to Write Well teaches students to write concisely, clearly, and powerfully in a variety of real-life applications in the classroom and beyond.
Algebra 1 (Grades 8–9): A prerequisite for Geometry, this course teaches the “language” of algebra, including algebraic expressions, solving linear equations, graphing, inequalities, systems of equations, polynomials, factoring, and exponential expressions.
Geometry in Real Life (Grades 9–12): Our Geometry homeschool math course delves into what the formulas presented mean and how they were created. It focuses on real-world applications and provides fun and inventive ways to learn the math rather than just memorize it. Logical reasoning is required for the entire course, not just the unit dedicated to logic.
Introduction to Forensic Science (Grades 9–12): Using common household materials and approaching science from a Christian perspective, Introduction to Forensic Science investigates the process of testing or analyzing materials found at a crime scene and explores how forensic scientists evaluate evidence.
American Government (Grades 7–12): This 18-week course that traces the development of the nation’s federal government from its creation to the present day. The roles of state and local government as well as that of citizens are explored.
Constitution and Bill of Rights (Grades 10–12): Sixteen weekly lessons contain analysis and study of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, prompts for independent study, and term paper assignments.
Free Market Economics (Grades 8–12): This course is an in-depth study of Austrian economics and its application in the real world. In some areas of law practice, economic analysis forms a critical part of presenting legal arguments and evaluating government policies.
Free Men and Free Markets: Government and Economics (Grades 9–12): This five-lecture course gives a Biblical understanding of how man satisfies his material needs, how the market system works, how the free market differs from socialism, how government and economics intersect and how the Bible answers severe economic problems.
Mock Trial (Grades 7–8): Lessons are designed to help students learn about the law and participate in their own mock trials. Teacher helps are provided. The concepts taught could easily be extended through high school with discussion and/or essays.
