Debate (Spring 25)
Grades 8 - 12Some information is not shown until you have an approved application, and logged in with an approved account.
Course Schedule
Dates: 2025-01-16 to 2025-05-15
Cost
Supplies: $0
Expectations and Homework
Get in Touch
About the Course
Debate offers an excellent avenue to learn public speaking, research, writing, critical thinking, and respectful argumentation. Debate is a type of conversation, formal or informal, where people of differing opinions express their ideas and refute or challenge ideas that are opposed to theirs. True debate is the practice of comparing and contrasting ideas respectfully. The goal is to learn to compare and contrast ideas in order to identify truth or the best answer to the issue being discussed. With so many views presented in the culture today, being able to analyze ideas, in light of truth, is invaluable.
We will begin our study of debate by looking at the history and applications of debate. Then we will learn general logic and reasoning, critical thinking, tests of evidence, using evidence persuasively, refutation and rebuttals, stock issues, and finally two styles of debate - Team Policy (policy debate) and Lincoln Douglass (value debate).
This class will meet spring semester only.
Textbook: "The Great Debate, A handbook for policy debate & pulic forum debate," by Jonathan A. Wolfson
"
Registration
Please login or Create an Online Account to allow course registration from this page.
About Diane
I have taught at Cornerstone since 2013. Before that I taught my own children (five of them) and also taught at IUS (for 15 years). I served as a coach for Truth Advocates Speech and Debate Club for nine years teaching students the skills of speaking and debating for competition. In that role I also worked with teams to plan and run tournaments. I attended Taylor University and earned a BA in communications and business.
In my free time I enjoy participating in and leading Bible studies, writing, exploring, traveling, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with friends and family.