Description:

This course is designed for those students interested in participating in competitive intercollegiate debate. Through the course, students will learn debate theory, debate skills and techniques, and methods of becoming successful intercollegiate competitors. Students are expected to travel to tournaments in order to develop skills in research, argument construction, debate format, intercollegiate debate speaking style and refutation. Students enrolling in this course will be required to participate as members of the intercollegiate debate team and will attend an appropriate number of weekend intercollegiate debate tournaments a semester. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the importance of debate in our society, in particular at the college level.
2. Develop stronger verbal skills and the ability to think quickly on ones' feet.
3. Develop the means by which to structure an argument, find proof for the argument, and answer attacks through refutation.
4. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic area debated for the current intercollegiate debate season.
5. Develop and apply critical thinking methods in debate rounds.
6. Deliver constructive and rebuttal speeches effectively.
7. Demonstrate argument understanding through cross-examination skills.

Content Outline & Competencies:

   I. Academic Policy Debate
      A. Define collegiate policy debate.
      B. Explain the benefits of academic policy debate.
      C. Define the structure of a policy debate round including speaker
order and time limits.

  II. Critical Thinking
      A. Deliver constructive  and rebuttal speeches.
      B. Deliver speeches rebutting another  students argument.
      C. Participate in cross-examination with other debaters.
      D. Identify and explain flaws in argument structure.
      E. Research and develop arguments related to the debate topic.
      F. Demonstrate the ability to flow during rounds.

 III. Research
     A. Research the specific debate resolution.
     B. Defend and support different types of evidence.  
     C. Demonstrate proper source citations for evidence production.
     D. Demonstrate on-line research capabilities and electronic evidence
production.
     E. Demonstrate argument production through matrix and document
mapping.
   
  IV. Argument Structure
      A. Define a particular problem  area, research that area, and write
a first affirmative constructive speech.
      B. Explain the stock issues in context of a debate round:
significance, harms, inherency,
      C. Explain the core negative arguments:  topicality, disadvantages,
counterplans, kritiks, and case arguments.   
      D. Construct shells and extensions for negative arguments.  
      E. Explain  and define the Toulmin model of argument.
  
   V. Topic Area
      A. Expand knowledge base in the topic area by continued research and
argument development.
      B. Demonstrate knowledge of topic through in-class debate rounds and
tournament debate rounds.  
      C. Organize and prioritize arguments on both sides of the
resolution.


  VI. Constructive & Rebuttal Speeches
      A. Construct and deliver affirmative and negative constructive
speeches.  
      B. Demonstrate ability to respond to specific arguments in
speeches.
      C. Construct and deliver affirmative and negative rebuttal speeches.
 
      D. Deliver rebuttal speeches that demonstrate selection of the
strongest arguments.  

 VII. Cross Examination Skills 
   A. Develop questions regarding the  arguments advanced by the
opposition.
   B. Respond to cross-examination questions.

VIII.  Tournament Participation
       A. Participate in collegiate weekend tournament competitions.
       B. Judge practice debates and/or high school debates and write
explanations of decision making criteria.
       C. Listen and record judge decisions after rounds.  

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Theoretical:  (25% of grade)  Constructing affirmative & negative
arguments; and tests/quizzes over theory material.

Research:  (25% of grade )  Minimum research assignments will be given on
a weekly basis.  

Tournaments:  (25% of grade)  Students will be evaluated on participating
in scheduled tournaments.

Practices:  (25% of grade)  Regular practice rounds will be scheduled and
critiqued throughout the semester.

Grading Criteria:
   90 - 100%   A
   80 -  89%   B
   70 -  79%   C
   60 -  69%   D
    0 -  59%   F  

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.