COURSE DESCRIPTION: Debate I provides instruction in the fundamentals of formal and informal debate and public speaking. We will explore different forms of oral communication, techniques of argumentation, effective listening, analysis of audience, and presentation and evaluation of spoken presentations. The course also includes an emphasis on research, outlining, argument structure, speech writing and Parliamentary procedures. Students will participate in Student Congress, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and other Debate formats during the one-year course.

TEXTS: Although most of the course is taught primarily through participation and demonstration, we do have a text. It is Basic Debate by Phillips, Hicks and Springer. The book will be used occasionally in the classroom only, but copies may be checked out.

There will be frequent assignment handouts and packets of background material to correspond with Debate assignments. All handouts should be kept in a Debate folder for future reference in and outside of class. Students should always be prepared to take Devil Notes on information to be kept in their folders for study and class use.

SUPPLIES: Students must arrive prepared for class each day. Supplies that the student is expected to have with him/her each day are:

Blue or black pens
Pencils
Loose-leaf notebook paper
A binder or folder for all Debate papers
                            

DEBATE TEAM: Debate I students are not required to join the Debate Team, but are encouraged to do so!! If you would like to join the team, come to a meeting or observe at one of the local tournaments.  It is FUN, and a great extracurricular activity you can participate in all through high school, and even through college! Many colleges offer valuable scholarships for policy debate. In addition, participation in competitive debate during your Debate 1 year allows you to take Debate 3, a quality point class, next year. (You are required to do competitive debate in Debate 2, 3 and 4.)

TEACHER EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS: By its nature, Debate requires more participation and argumentation than many courses. However, learning effective listening is one of the curriculum standards for this course.  Students will be both required to speak in class and required to listen and follow procedures when others have the floor.

Mature behavior is expected at all times. Students must be respectful of the teacher and other students. Students can expect to be referred to the administration for disrespect or a lack of cooperation. No student has the right to take away from the education of others through disruptive behavior.

No electronics visible in the classroom. If a student decides to use a cellphone or a music player in class, he or she will have two choices: hand it over, or be referred immediately. The first time, the device will be returned at the end of class. The second time, it will be turned in to Student Services and must be retrieved by a parent. The third time, a referral will be written. This is the school-wide policy.

 LIFE SKILLS: Students receive 5 points each day for attendance, participation and for listening skills.  These points are deducted for refusal to follow Parliamentary procedures, disruptive behavior which prevents listening, lack of preparation for class, absences, tardies, or sleeping in class. Documentation will be required for TDEs (field trips), hospital stays and funerals. ALL other absences will result in loss of Life Skill points for the days missed.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be listed on-line on HomeworkNow. Go to www.stpetehigh.com  and click on Homework in the left column. Then click on my name: Leila Davis. Click on Debate Class to find this week’s assignments and class schedule.

• Black printer cartridges for H-P Deskjet 722C
• Boxes of tissues
• Rolls of paper towels
• Large bottles of hand sanitizer