Location: Rocklin
Day & Time: Tuesday 12:30-1:40
Grade: 9th-12th
Mentor: Frizzle Frizzle
Email: inspiredbyamg@gmail.com
Speech & Debate: Current Events
This is a yearlong course designed to develop students’ skills in public speaking, argumentation, research, media literacy, civic discourse, and critical analysis through the study of contemporary local, national, and global issues. Students will examine current events from multiple perspectives, evaluate sources for credibility and bias, construct evidence-based arguments, and participate in formal and informal debates, speeches, panel discussions, mock press conferences, and presentations.
The course emphasizes persuasive communication, active listening, civil discourse, collaboration, and analytical thinking aligned with California English Language Arts, History-Social Science, and Arts standards. Students will strengthen speaking and listening competencies while developing confidence in presenting ideas clearly, ethically, and persuasively. Instruction incorporates rhetorical analysis, logical reasoning, constitutional principles, media analysis, and performance techniques associated with theatre and oral interpretation.
Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
conduct research using credible primary and secondary sources
analyze current events and public policy issues from multiple viewpoints
evaluate media sources for reliability, bias, propaganda, and rhetorical effectiveness
construct logical, evidence-based arguments using claims, reasoning, and supporting evidence
deliver organized, informative, persuasive, impromptu, and argumentative speeches
participate effectively in debates
demonstrate active listening, respectful rebuttal, and collaborative discussion skills
apply rhetorical strategies, including ethos, pathos, and logos, in oral and written communication
interpret and synthesize information from news media, historical documents, interviews, and public discourse
demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal presentation techniques, including voice, pacing, articulation, posture, and audience engagement
reflect on personal speaking growth and evaluate peer performances constructively
Class Activities:
Students will participate in weekly debates, speech presentations, current events discussions, and collaborative simulations focused on contemporary political, social, economic, and international issues. Activities may include mock congressional hearings, town hall forums, press conferences, Socratic seminars, and extemporaneous speaking exercises. Students will analyze news coverage, evaluate evidence, prepare debate cases, practice rebuttal techniques, and deliver both prepared and impromptu speeches. The course also includes peer evaluations, multimedia presentations, and research projects designed to strengthen communication and analytical skills through active participation and performance.
Materials:
Students are expected to bring a notebook or binder, writing utensils, and regular access to a laptop or computer for research, writing, and presentations. Students should also be prepared to access current news sources and course materials as assigned.
Supplemental instructional materials may include constitutional documents, Supreme Court cases, journalistic sources, rhetorical texts, and contemporary issue analyses aligned with California English Language Arts and History–Social Science standards.
“What is memorized is easily forgotten, what is understood is never forgotten.” ~Dr. Adler
All classes are full-year classes. Students enrolled in a Fall Semester class will automatically enroll for the Spring Semester in December to ensure their place in the class. Pricing is per semester.
