Description:

This course is designed for 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 will be developed. 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.  
      C.  Define the structure of a policy debate round including speaker
order and time limits.

  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 constructive speech.
      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,
kritiks, and case arguments.  
      D. Construct shells and extensions for negative arguments.  
      E. Explain the Toulmin model of argument. 
   
  IV. Topic Area
      A. Expand his/her 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 for and  against the topic.

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

 VII. Current Theoretical Issues
      A. Explain and apply topicality to the current topic.  
      B. Explain and apply counterplan theory.  
      C. Explain and apply kritik theory. 
      D. Explain and apply framework arguments and theory

VIII. Tournament Competition
      A. Participate in a minimum of six  intercollegiate debate
tournaments.
      B. Evaluate tournament performance by critiquing specific rounds of
debate.
      C. Judge debates and write explanations of his/her decision making
criteria.
      D. Assess the impact of specific judge paradigms on his/her argument
selection.
      E. 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%)  Constructing affirmative & negative arguments;
and tests/quizzes over theory material.  Further assignments may include
reviewing theoretical articles and providing written critiques of debate
rounds.

Research:  (25%)  Research assignments will be given on a weekly basis.  

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

Practices:  (25%)  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.