Speech and Debate Course Offerings

 

 

Course Options

Students at the Northfield campus may enroll in "Freshman Speech and Debate." This is a survey course covering argumentation, public speaking, and a variety of debate formats. It also provides opportunities for students to take their content knowledge outside of the classroom and debate against other schools at local and regional tournaments.

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the Winnetka campus may choose to specialize in a particular debate format and enroll in courses specific to their chosen debate event.

 

Freshman Speech and Debate

This course is designed to develop effective speaking and argumentation skills. The yearlong course emphasizes critical thinking, research, collaboration, analysis, and speech writing. Students will practice persuasive and informative speaking as well as several forms of debate: Policy, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and Congressional. Although students are not required to participate on the Speech and Debate team, several opportunities are available to those students who wish to attend competitions. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for fine and/or practical arts.

 

Policy Debate 1, 2, & 3

In Policy Debate, students work in teams of two to debate a topic regarding changing government policy. Topics change yearly. At all levels, student preparation includes research, analysis, writing, and practice throughout the year. In the second and third years, emphasis is placed on argument construction and peer mentoring and judging. Class time is used to explore theory and prepare for competition. Although students are not required to participate on the Speech and Debate Team, several opportunities are available to those students who would like to compete in weekend tournaments. Students may contract to take this course for elective credit. This course fulfills 0.5 of the graduation requirement for fine and/or practical arts. 

 

Public Forum Debate 1, 2, & 3

In Public Forum Debate, students work in teams of two to debate topics of current events that emphasize analysis and advocacy. Topics change monthly. At all levels, student preparation includes research, analysis, writing, and practice throughout the year. In the second and third years, emphasis is placed on argument construction and peer mentoring and judging. Class time is used to explore theory and prepare for competition. Although students are not required to participate on the Speech and Debate Team, several opportunities are available to those students who would like to compete in weekend tournaments. Students may contract to take this course for elective credit. This course fulfills the graduation requirement for fine and/or practical arts. It also fulfills the graduation requirement for civics and includes the study of the federal and state constitutions.