Spcom 7 :
Forensics Workshop
Instructor Dr. Timothy Elizondo
Contact Info: elizondot@yosemite.cc.ca.us
Office phone number 209-588-5210
Office: Tamarack 215
Office Hours: Mondays:
Wednesdays:
I. Course
Description:
Course focuses on the principles of applied speech communication through participation in competitive speech performances. Students will prepare to participate in intercollegiate forensics. Competitive events include debate, individual speaking, and interpretive performances.
II. Course
Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to give the competitive speech student an opportunity to continue to improve his/her communication skills through the process of in-depth study of the many areas of speech communication. This course will focus primarily on the skill set needed for parliamentary debate Forensics refers to intercollegiate Speech competition. It consists of two distinct areas: “Debate” and “Individual Events”.
Debate involves the examination, analysis, and reasoned argumentation of a particular issue or topic. There are several forms of debate including Lincoln-Douglas Debate and Parliamentary Debate. The individual events include a variety of traditional public speaking formats including: Informative speaking, persuasive speaking, after dinner speaking, rhetorical criticism, and impromptu speaking, as well as the oral interpretation of poetry, prose, and drama.
This course will consist of some lectures, much discussion, and a great deal of individualized or small group lab work. Competitive Speech and Debate is designed for the student who is capable of working well on his/her own, while being able to share a great deal with others through the normal class discussions and presentations.
III. Required
Materials:
A World of Ideas : The Dictionary of Important Ideas and Thinkers by Chris Rohmann
-Each student is to have a pocket notebook for this class only. No other information is to be kept in this folder. This folder is to be brought to class daily.
-Each student must provide a blank computer disk/flash drive (PC and Word compatible) to be used on the classroom computers.
IV. Examinations: There are no exams in this course
V. Academic Integrity. Most college courses provide students ample opportunities to plagiarize; that is, to use the ideas or statements of others without giving them proper credit. Please do not exercise these opportunities. If you borrow an idea from anyone, you MUST identify the source of that idea. Every information source you use during oral presentations in this course must be verbally identified. Fabricating information or evidence sources is also a form of plagiarism. Cheating and plagiarism are essentially stealing what belongs to another and/or lying about its authorship. Any cheating on tests, or plagiarism on written or oral work, will result in a course grade of "F," and a report of the incident will be filed with the school.
IV. American with Disabilities Act. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case by case basis. Students must register with Academic Support Services and provide appropriate documentation to the college before any academic adjustment will be provided.
V. Educational
Methods
The course will utilize six primary teaching methods:
1. Lectures about debating and debate theory. This will be the primary mode for the transmission of information about debate concepts, practices, and vocabulary.
2. Class discussions. Class discussions will focus around the topic we will be debating, argumentative concepts, and on various debate methods and practices.
3. Practice speeches. Students will give short, unprepared speeches about very simple ideas in order to gain training in delivery, organization, and argumentative concepts.
4. Practice debates. Students will engage in debates against each other in teams of two. These debates will use and be supplemented by research done by students as well as material supplied by the instructor. Some practice debates may have to be scheduled outside of normal class times.
5. Debate tournaments. Students may be asked to engage in debates against novice debaters from other schools at tournaments. These will involve travel.
6. Research. Students will be required to maintain an active awareness of current events from the news. Students are expected to have access to media and should be ready to actively participate in class discussions related to these issues.
VI. Method of
Assessment:
A. Impromptu
Each student must create and maintain an impromptu box. Box will be used in class assignments and exercises. Box must contain at least 20 different cards. Cards should have a minimum of five theorists. Student will be asked to construct a speech using the box. Guidelines for cards will be given in class. Cards not meeting the standards for format or are not complete will not be considered. Cards must adhere to team standards and include a clear use of color scheme and cross-referencing. Due Oct 13th
B. Assignments. 100 points
Each student must complete team assignments. There will be 16 assignments in the term. These exercises will ask each student to develop a case, research a brief, prepare a presentation on debate theory. Considering each student will be developing different skill sets at different times, assignments can vary between individuals or groups of students. Each assignment is worth 10 points. Assignments not meeting team standards can be rejected and will be considered late.
C. Class
participation 100 points
Considering this is a workshop, daily exercises and activities are the practical application of the skills this class seeks to develop. As a result, students level of preparation for in class debates and exercises are evaluated here.
D. Final 50 points
Each student will chose one event to perform for their final. Times will be dependant on number of students enrolled in course, but will try to adhere to Phi Ro Pi regulations as possible. Students can use their box, notes, or cases as prep.
V. Grading
A = 300-270
B = 269-240
C = 239-210
D = 209-180
F = 179 Below
VI. Competition Packet
If you are interested in traveling to tournaments, please come to my office and collect a COMPETITION PACKET. This document will provide the calendar dates and events. In addition, the packet will provide the various legal documents our institution needs in order for you to travel. Packet must be completed and signed BEFORE you will be allowed to travel.