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.

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. Demonstrate knowledge and use of research in both the library and online methods.
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. Explore current theoretical issues in debate.
8. Refine argumentation skills through tournament competition.

Content Outline & Competencies:

   I. Academic Policy Debate
      A. Define collegiate policy debate.  
      B. Explain the benefits of academic policy debate. 

  II. 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.  

 III. Argument Structure
      A. Define a particular problem  area, research that area, and write
a first affirmative.
      B. Explain the stock issues in context of a debate round: 
significance, harms, inherency, topicality, and solvency.        
      C. Explain the core negative arguments:  topicality, disadvantages,
counterplans, kritiks, and case arguments.   
      D. Construct shells and extensions for negative arguments.  
      E. Explain the Toulmin model of argument. 
   
  IV. Topic Area
      A. Expand knowledge base in the topic area by continued research and
argument 
      B. Demonstrate knowledge of the topic through in-class debate rounds
and tournament debate rounds.   
      C. Organize and prioritize arguments on both sides of the
resolution. 

   V. Constructive & Rebuttal Speeches
      A. Construct and deliver affirmative and negative constructive
speeches.  
      B. Demonstrate the 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.  

  VI. Current Theoretical Issues
      A. Explain and apply topicality arguments to the current topic.
      B. Explain and apply counterplan theory.  
      C. Explain and apply kritik theory.
      D. Explain and apply framework arguments and theory.
  
 VII.  Cross Examination Skills
       A. Develop questions regarding the arguments advanced by the
opposition.
       B. Respond to cross-examination questions.  

VIII. Tournament Competition
       A. Participate in a minimum of four intercollegiate debate
tournaments.
       B. Evaluate tournament performance by critiquing specific rounds of
debate.
       C. Judge practice debates and/or high school debates and write
explanations of decision making criteria.
       D. 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)  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.