Everyday Debate & Discussion

This is a year-long course purposed to help students who desire to learn how to actively engage in daily discussion and informal debate. It is not a course in formal debate. Students will learn to pay attention to daily discussion or debates in the course of normal life, how to identify the argument, and how to respond with grace and truth. The intention of the course is to teach students to engage in active discourse in pursuit of truth, not to simply “win an argument.” Students who have Socratic discussions in other courses may find this course helpful as a supplement to learn how to enter into discussions with confidence and respect. Students will engage in discussions, frequently taking opposing sides, to practice listening and speaking skills. Students will also have written assignments and book assignments. Although times may vary depending on ability, students can expect to invest 60-90 minutes in daily, weekday preparation.

Course Objectives:

1. To learn to actively engage in discourse
2. To frame a well-reasoned argument
3. To listen to an differing point of view in pursuit of truth

Texts:

• [Everyday Debate & Discussion](https://classicalacademicpress.com/products/everyday-debate?pos=2&sid=653ff0aba&_ss=r) by Classic Academic Press