Speech & Debate Program Modules

The Speech & Debate Program is composed of a series modules from which students may select for their coursework. The modules are online, self-paced, self-contained (no books to buy), and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels.

Modules are packaged together to equal the content and expectations of a graduate course. Select the appropriate number of modules for the number of graduate credits you wish to earn.

• 2 modules = 1 graduate credit
• 3 modules = 2 graduate credits
• 4 modules = 3 graduate credits

Modules:

• Speech

  • Introduction to Persuasive Speaking:
    This module is designed to introduce students to the key components of effective persuasive speaking.  The content is applicable to those who teach public speaking and/or coach competitive speech.

  • Advanced Extemporaneous Speaking:
    This course is designed for students who wish experience in teaching or coaching extemporaneous speaking.

  • Basics of Interpretation:
    This lesson is designed for beginning coaches. Material presented here will help new coaches understand interpretation events, how to select appropriate material for interpretation; and basic approaches to coaching and judging interpretation events.

  • Advanced Interpretation Theory:
    Module is intended to provide exposure to advanced concepts related to interpretation theory. The emphasis is on performance theory rather than coaching strategies. The module attempts to link performance studies concepts to forensic practice.

  • Communication Ethics:
    The module focuses on theories of communication ethics and how behavior influences morals which affects communication. Ethics is an integral component of public speaking, interpersonal, small group, cultural, and organizational communication.

  • Origins of Rhetoric - Sophists to Cicero:
    This course is designed to introduce students to the classical origins of rhetorical theory and criticism.

• Free Speech (3-module sequence)

  • Free Speech I: Setting the Foundation:
    An historical review of pertinent Supreme Court cases involving the interrelationship of the free speech clause of the First Amendment from 1919-1966. 1919 is the date when the first free speech case was decided by the Court.

  • Free Speech II: Opening the Gates:
    An historical review of pertinent Supreme Court cases involving the interrelationship of the free speech clause of the First Amendment from 1966-1987. Free Speech II picks up from Free Speech I. The module continues the exploration into US Supreme Court free speech case law. We find during this time period the Court's first precedent setting cases involving free speech and public education. Note: Completion of Free Speech I is required before beginning the module.

  • Free Speech III: The Struggle Continues:
    An historical review of pertinent Supreme Court cases involving the interrelationship of the free speech clause of the First Amendment from 1966-1987. Free Speech III picks up from Free Speech I and Free Speech II. The module continues the exploration into US Supreme Court free speech case law. We find continued focus by the Court on cases involving free speech and public education. Note: Completion of Free Speech I and II is required before beginning the module.

• Performance (4-module sequence)

  • Introduction to Performance and Everyday Life Performance:
    The module provides an introduction to Performance Studies with an emphasis on everyday life performance. The module should be combined with other related modules for a comprehensive look at the area of Performance Studies. You will be asked to complete assessment activities for the module.

  • Cultural Performance:
    The module explores the way performance both constructs and reflects culture. The module should be combined with other related modules for a comprehensive look at the area of Performance Studies. You will be asked to complete assessment activities for the module.

  • Identity and Performance:
    The module explores the connection between performance and identity of self and others. The module should be combined with other related modules for a comprehensive look at the area of Performance Studies. You will be asked to complete assessment activities for the module.

  • Performance and Social Change:
    The module explores the way performance can be used to promote social change and address injustice. The module should be combined with other related modules for a comprehensive look at the area of Performance Studies. You will be asked to complete a short assessment activity for the module. 

• Coaching/Directing Speech & Debate

  • Introduction to Competitive Speech and Debate:
    The module is designed to provide an overview of the practice of academic competitive speech and debate in the United States.  The module consists of 3 sections to be completed.  Each section includes an individual assessment.

  • Theoretical Basis of Competitive Speech Events:
    This module is designed to provide students a general overview of the communication concepts and theories in which competitive speech events are grounded.  Students will also practice writing educationally beneficial ballot comments.  The module focuses on three key sections, each of which includes its own individual assessment. NOTE:  Students interested in learning more about the theoretical basis of debate events should select the debate theory modules.

  • Effective Coaching: Speech and Debate:
    This module is designed to introduce students to effective coaching practices related to motivating students, building team cohesion and mentoring students.  The module also covers strategies for avoiding burnout.  There are 4 individual sections to this module, each with an assessment opportunity.

  • Effective Administration: Competitive Speech and Debate:
    This module is designed to introduce students to key administrative tasks one needs to effectively direct a competitive speech and debate program.  Topics include public relations, recruiting, fund raising, budgeting and navigating ethical and legal obligations.

• Debate

  • Introduction to LD Debate:
    Designed for all coaches of competitive speech activities but it is specifically intended for coaches who are new to Lincoln-Douglas style debating. Even experienced coaches may find the information interesting and valuable.

  • Introduction to Policy Debate:
    Designed for all coaches of competitive speech activities but it is specifically intended for coaches who are new to policy debating. While there is certainly material that even experienced coaches would find interesting and valuable, seasoned policy debate coaches would probably find the advanced modules more valuable.

  • Advanced Debate Strategies - Critique (Kritik) Debate:
    This module is designed for students with some familiarity in debate. The module covers the basic theory of critique (kritik) debate including the theoretical foundations of the critique and its application in policy debate.

  • Debating the Capitalist Critique (Kritik):
    Debating the Capitalist Critique (Kritik) module focuses capitalism as it applies in value (Lincoln-Douglas) debating and in policy debate specifically the critique of capitalism (typically called the capitalist kritik). This module will consist of several lectures and readings. Students will be required to complete a number of assessment activities for this module. The module is designed to be completed in no more than 10 hours.

  • Social Contract Theory for Value Debate:
    Focuses on social contract theory, an important political philosophy and one frequently invoked in value debate. This module is intended to introduce students to three of the most important theorists within this tradition: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

  • Understanding the Foucault Kritik:
    This course is designed to help students understand the philosophy of one of the twentieth century’s most significant philosophers, Michel Foucault. Foucault’s ideas are often used by both policy and value debaters as a perspective to critique opponents’ positions. Foucault is a notoriously complex thinker and this module seeks to give students a basic understanding of key concepts as they apply to debate especially the biopower kritik, a popular argument among policy debaters.

• Argumentation

  • The Rationalist Paradigm (Modernism) in Argumentation:
    This course looks at the foundations of argumentation theory as it developed in the Classical (Greco-Roman) Period and into the modern age. Students completing this course will be able to identify and describe the primary elements of argument and the development of argumentation theory in the context of the rational-world paradigm.

  • Anti-rationalism (Post-Modernism) in Argumentation:
    This course looks at the development of argumentation theory as it has been shaped by the political, economic, and social change which accompanied the rise of industrialization and globalization. Students will look at postmodernism’s emergence as a critique of rationalism and its development as an alternative theory of argumentation.

  • The History and Development of Competitive Debating in the United States:
    This course follows the development of competitive debate, from its origins in the marketplaces and forums of Classical Greece and Rome to high schools and colleges in the United States today. Students will learn the pedagogical foundations of debate and be able to identify and describe its principle stages of development.

• Writing & Research

  • Research, Writing, and APA Style in Communication Studies:
    Researching and presenting ideas in an appropriate format is a hallmark of scholarly work in communication studies. This module reviews the theory and mechanics of researching ideas in communication studies, writing scholarly essays, and following the American Psychological Association (APA) style standards.

  • Communication Information Literacy (available starting in spring 2020):
    Learning how to identify accurate, dependable information is increasingly important given the proliferation of the Internet, media, and other information technologies. Despite being considered “digital natives,” current high school and college students frequently struggle with finding and critically evaluating needed information. This module addresses the concept of information literacy from a communication perspective, including an understanding of how information is discovered, produced, and circulated within communities. The module provides educators with concepts and pedagogical tools for helping students engage in strategic information searches, understand how information is constructed and contextual, and analyzing the value of information.