Debate Class Syllabus
Riverheads High School
2011-2012
Mrs. McDonald
tmcdonald@augusta.k12.va.us
First Semester
1st Block: Planning
2nd Block: French II
3rd Block: AP Government
4th Block: Debate
Office/Classroom:
U206
General Expectations and Why We Are Here
Phone:
(540) 337-1921 (school)
Email:
tmcdonald@augusta.k12.va.us
Grade Scale:
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A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
Second Semester
1st Period: Planning
2nd Block: French I
3rd Block: AP Comparative Politics
4th Block: French III, IV, V, AP
94-100
86-93
78-85
70-77
69 or below
Assignments that are late will
receive an automatic 10%
deduction. After one class
day, they will not be accepted.
Grading:
We are surrounded by a plethora of information in our modern
world—an endless stream of “experts” who tell us what to think
and why to think it and, sometimes, they even try to tell us who
we are. Whether it is Rush Limbaugh on the radio or one of those
people whose only apparent job is to tell people how to solve their
problems on the television, there is no shortage of people who
want to make you believe what they want and to see things how
they would want them to be seen.
My goal is to help you become a more critical consumer of
argumentation and someone whose insight is not limited to sound
bites, but in-depth understanding. We are going to learn about the
foundations of argument, techniques for persuasion, and tools for
evaluating the advocacy of others. We will also be throwing in
some philosophy, ethics, current events, pertinent films, and
more.
Your obligation is to come to class prepared to talk and to listen.
We will do a lot of work in groups and your willingness to
cooperate and to work with others will go a long way towards
how the class will function.
Academic Requirements
Class Participation: 20%
Tests/Quizzes:
25%
Homework:
20%
Current Events:
10%
Projects:
25%
The exact nature of grading and academic requirements will
depend largely on the nature of the units that we cover each six
weeks. A large part of your grade will depend on class activities
and debates. I do not like to use busy work to determine your
grade, but if you are unable to act with maturity and
thoughtfulness during class, there will be many of those types of
assignments. If you are unwilling to cooperate, I will have to
resort to those types of assignments in order to generate a grade
for you. It is important to come to school and to keep up with
class work, as assignments build to a final culminating project
each six weeks.
Topics of Study
The Rules
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There are certain rules in this
classroom that are non-negotiable
and are expected to be followed at
all times:
Ethics
Logic
Public Forum Debate
Elections
Current Events
Philosophy
Argumentation
Propaganda
Research
Listening
Position Papers
Competitive Debate
Parliamentary
Procedure
 Student Congress
 Model U.N.
 Other...
Tolerance: Recognizing that other
people have different values,
beliefs, appearance, and desires is a
hallmark of maturity. Some people
never reach it; you should make
every effort to. I will not tolerate
language or actions that exclude or
demean. Heated argumentation
should be the model for our class—
argumentation that is focused on
issues and not personality.
Respect for others: Everyone is
entitled to their own opinion. It is
your responsibility to listen with an
open mind and still mouth until that
person has finished speaking.
Respect extends towards any
visitors that we may have in the
classroom as well.
Plagiarism: Don’t!!!! If you are
unsure if something is ethical, odds
are that it is not. More information
about plagiarism and how to avoid
it will be handed out in class
periodically. The school handbook
policy will be followed in the event
of plagiarism.
Class Attendance
***I can usually
be found in U206
between 7:45 am
and 8:10am. I
can stay after
school by
appointment with
ample notice.
Before a student
will be allowed to
attend a
tournament, they
must give me
their speech at
least twice
outside of class.
Coming to class is an excellent idea.
Even if you doze off, you might learn
something before falling asleep. And,
of course, you won’t be asleep for
long because I will wake you up.
Attending my class means being
physically and mentally present—be
involved.
Please be on time. Consistently
coming to class without a reasonable
excuse will lead consequences which
include, but are not limited to,
detention hall, office referral, phone
call home, etc.
Bring all of your material every
day. You will not be allowed to
leave in order to go get it. So don’t
ask!
Make up work is your
responsibility!! You will have one
day for each day you missed, plus
one day to make up assignments.
You must get the information by
asking me. I will not come to you
about your make up work.
Please check in advance about
planned absences.
DEBATE TOURNAMENTS
All students are encouraged to attend one debate tournament in the Fall. There is
extra credit available if you do choose to go. If you go, compete, and watch
other competitions when you have finished your match, you will receive five (5)
points on your final grade for that six weeks. Students will also be required to
provide a judge for any tournament that they choose to attend. I will assist that
person in learning what they need to in order to feel comfortable judging. I will
have a tournament schedule by the middle of September. It will also be posted
on my website.
I have read and understand the syllabus for Debate Class for the 2011-2012 school year. I will
abide by all of the rules and will fulfill all of the requirements in order to be successful in this
class.
_____________________________________
Student Signature
______________________Date
I have read and understand the requirements for Debate Class.
__________________________________
Parent Signature
_______________________
Date