Debate Syllabus ASTEC Charter High School 2013-2014

Teacher: Email: Plan Period: Phone: J. Nestander jnestander@asteccharterschools.com 7th period (2:46pm 3:40pm M, Tu, Th, F 12:47pm 1:25pm W) 405-947-6274

Course Description This course is designed for the student who is interested in public speaking and argumentation. The course will involve participation in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Oratorical Speaking. Debate I will include analysis of current controversial issues, methods & materials of research, evidence, applied logic and reasoning, construction of debate cases, audience analysis, and the use of strategy in debate. In addition to the above, students will receive instruction pertaining to organizations governing debate (OSSAA & NFL). This class will teach the fundamentals of debate and debate theory will be taught in the context of what is practiced interscholastically. Objectives 1. Familiarize students with the theoretical background of academic debate and argument. 2. Develop writing techniques used for and against issues in value debate. 3. Develop critical thinking skills through analysis of issues relating to value debate. 4. Develop research skills. 5. Determine the strength(s)/weakness(s) of evidence. 6. Develop oral advocacy and refutation skills. Required Materials: 2-4 Legal pads Black/blue and red pens Three-ring binder or folder Highlighters Post-it Notes Attendance Policy and Classroom Expectations: You will do every speech and debate round assigned. You will follow classroom procedures and expectations. You will give all oral assignments on the assigned day. If you are not prepared (i.e., not having your case, not bringing materials to class, etc.) you will receive NO credit for the assignment. No extra time will be given for oral presentations...you must understand that by your lack of preparedness, you are being very unfair to your debate opponent. All written assignments must be turned in on time. If an assignment is late, 10 points will be deducted each day until either the assignment is turned in or until the worth of the assignment drops below 60 points. All talking is to cease when the teacher is talking or when a speaker is in front of the room ready to speak. Please raise your hand to be recognized for a question or comment. You must work inside and outside of class in order to be completely successful in this course. Accept assignments without complaints and do your best on everything.

Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. You will get out of this class what you put in. Keep your ipods, cell phones & make-up out of the classroom. If used, these items will be confiscated. You are now warned.

Grading Scale: 90 100 80 89 70 79 60 69 Below 59 Category Weights: Performance/Presentations Attitude/Participation Evaluations 40% 40% 20% A B C D F

The assignment breakdown for each semester is as follows:! ! 1 test @ 100 points each = 100 points! ! 2 presentation evaluations @ 50 points each = 100 points! ! 2 presentations @ 200 points each = 400 points! ! 16 weekly articles @ 10 points each = 160 points! ! 16 participation @ 10 points each = 160 points! ! 16 bellwork @ 5 points each = 80 points! Total of points = 1000* ! *Please note that the number of points required may be adjusted due to instructional needs.! Evaluations are worth 20% of the students overall grade. Evaluations will consist of critiques of performances/presentations and quizzes/exams. Attitude/Participation is worth 40% of the students overall grade. A positive attitude and preparation are the keys to success in this class. You are expected to back-up all arguments with sources. You will be expected to share 25 sources/news articles to Ms. Nestander via Dropbox each week. Performance/Presentations are worth 40% of the students overall grade. You are required to perform/present in all classroom debates. You will present an opinion essay, Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking, and Lincoln-Douglas debates. Student Progress:! ! Progress reports for students are prepared four times each year, midway of each 9-weeks grading period. Parents must come on site to pick up and sign for them on the day they are issued. Students are not allowed back in class until the progress report is picked up.! ! ! Students who are not making adequate progress must attend tutoring after school and during halfSaturday school. Those who do not attend will placed disciplinary action. Attendance to tutoring is not an option. Grades will be given for attending tutoring sessions.! !