Learning to think critically and reason actively are essential to everyday living and responding to what students think, read, and hear. This course will help students develop strategies and tactics for reacting critically and forming debate-style arguments that have both an academic and practical application. The class will teach them to work to gain others' acceptance of their chosen or assigned point-of-view, will help them ask and answer the "correct" questions, will teach them the value of qualified research, help them identify real issues and observe when an opponent evades them, and teach them to apply constructive criticism to others. This is a great course for any student, but especially those interested in public service, law, education, the ministry, politics, journalism, or any leadership/advocacy career.
Co-taught by Mary Fredrickson, this class is especially designed for high-school students who would like to improve their communication and public speaking skills in a debate forum. The class covers speech research, preparation, writing/note outlining, and delivery. The class will include active participation, practical experience, and evaluation by both peers and instructors. Students will speak before the class, critique debate by other students, and be responsible for developing and delivering their own research.
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