Regulate vaping? Abolish capital punishment? Enact gun controls? Regulate drones? Control illegal immigration? Stop global climate change? Raise the minimum wage? Require police body cameras? Legalize marijuana? Allow doctor-assisted suicide? Legislate texting and driving? Fund a manned mission to Mars? Pay reparations to descendants of slavery? Regulate social media? Are you interested in learning about these and other hot topics of the day? Do you like to win arguments with others and impress your teachers in class debate? Do you picture yourself as a lawyer defending clients or prosecuting an accused person? Do you see yourself persuading Congress to vote for your proposed law? Are you thinking about joining the debate team at your school? If so, then Beginning Debate is for you. This course will focus on the following objectives:
- Learn how to research, argue and speak effectively on current controversial issues using a variety of debate formats;
- Develop your critical thinking skills to effectively analyze issues and develop arguments to support your opinions;
- Enhance and use your speaking skills to convince audiences and persuade judges to accept your ideas;
- Gain skills that will help you in high school, college, your future career and life.
This class is for students with little or no previous debate experience. You should be interested in and dedicated to researching, working with other students, and speaking in front of audiences.