Intercollegiate Debate

Rhet 062x

Fall 2007

Course Groups:

Students in Intercollegiate Debate will be divided into three groups based on interest and experience: Two-team debate, Four-team debate, and beginners. All first-year students plus any other students who have not previously been on the Willamette University Debate Team are required to be in the beginner group for one semester. Students who have previous experience on the team may choose between the Two-team and Four-team groups. The Two-team and beginner groups will meet at the regular class time and the Four-team group will meet at an alternative time, probably Thursday evening.

Course Requirements*

*All six of the following requirements must be met in order to pass the class. In other words, you cannot pass the course if you do not accomplish even one of the requirements regardless of how well you do on the other five. Having completed all six requirements, the grade for the course will be determined by the percentages noted to the right of the assignment. Cheating or plagiarism may result in failure in class and suspension from the forensic team. (Requirements 1, 2, 4, 7, & 8 apply to all persons on the debate team whether or not they are registered for the class).

This class ordinarily meets from 5:30 - 7:30. We understand that for many of you this conflicts with the evening meal. Therefore, some of you may wish to bring your dinner with you to class. No one will be offended if you are eating during the first part of class.

1.         Research assignments. (40%)

Research assignments will be defined by each group but must be at least equivalent to three fact sheets per semester.

2.         Practice sessions. (15%)

Each student must practice their events twice prior to the event being entered in competition. Subsequently, each student must practice their events at least once prior to entering each tournament. Students who are serious about their events will substantially exceed this requirement.

3.         Attend two tournaments. (15%)

Each student must attend and complete all rounds at a minimum of two tournaments. If registered for intercollegiate speaking, students must compete in a minimum of two events at each tournament–no more than one of which can be a limited preparation event (extemp or impromptu).

4.         Assist in on-campus forensic events.  (10%)

Each student will be asked to perform some duties at the Jerry Hudson High School Forensic Tournament. The tournament is on October 19^th and 20^th which is mid-semester weekend. Make plans to be on campus both of those days.

5. Service requirement (10%)

The service requirement can be met in one of two ways: 1) by planning and executing, either individually or as a part of a group, an event that uses your speaking talent to benefit another group, or 2) by participating in at least two debates outside of class requirements or tournament settings

6.Regularly attend all class sessions (Content of class sessions detailed on schedule page)    (10%)

7.Adhere to Willamette University Debate Union policies.

These policies are available by clicking on <policies> at the Willamette University Debate Union website: http://www.willamette.edu/cla/debate/

8. Adhere to Willamette University Policies on drugs, alcohol, and sexual harassment.

These policies are found in Office of Campus Life Selected Policies Manual which is available in Student Activities Office, Residence Life, and the Hatfield Library.