Communication Arts Electives

Creative Writing

Elective, 10th-12th Grade, Semester or Full Year, 0.5 or 1 credit This course is offered annually dependent upon student enrollment. Students will both read and create different types of writing, such as reflections, poetry, short stories, dialogue, and narratives. Students will keep a daily journal, as well as read and edit their peers’ pieces. The year ends with students creating a personal anthology of their favorite literature. This is a writing-intensive course.

Curriculum: Random House, Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry Writer’s Digest Books, The Writer’s Book of Wisdom Various handouts and excerpts from novels and poetry.

High School Speech

Required, 9th-12th Grade, Semester, 0.5 credit This course is an in-depth study of communication to develop critical thinking, persuasion, and delivery skills. They will participate in small group activities and practice the skills of informative, persuasive, interpretation of literature impromptu and extemporaneous speeches. They will learn the rules of competitive forensics (speech and debate). Requirement may be met through Introduction to Debate or Debate I.

Curriculum: Teacher’s Public Speaking Resource Book, New York Times.

College Speech Communications (MBU, COM 103, Dual Credit Class)

Prerequisite: HS Speech or HS Debate Elective, 11th-12th Grade, Semester, 0.5 high school credit, 3 college credits Students are introduced to principles of effective public speaking and provided with opportunities to develop public speaking skills. In addition, standards of evaluation for public communication are established for use in evaluating their own and other's public speaking performances.

Curriculum: Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society by Cengage

Introduction to Debate

Required, 9th -12th Grade, Semester, 0.5 credit This course is designed to teach and develop the skills of analysis, research, reasoning, and persuasion. Students will learn to logically develop and organize rational arguments on both sides of controversial subjects and defend those arguments thoughtfully and articulately from the attack of others. Students will be introduced to speech events that take place during competitive tournaments. Requirement may be met through High School Speech or Debate I. Curriculum: West Coast Publishing Ultimate Package

Debate I

Required, 9th-12th Grade, Full Year, 1 credit This course is designed for those who wish to further develop skills in speech and debate for the purposes of competing as a member of the SCA Speech and Debate Team. Students are expected to participate in MSHSAA/NSDA-sponsored debate and forensics tournaments throughout the year. Participation in two tournaments per semester is required, with events and competition level to be determined by the instructor. After school practices are required and Friday/Saturday tournament participation is expected to meet the tournament requirements. Requirement may be met through High School Speech or Introduction to Debate.

Curriculum: West Coast Publishing Ultimate Package

Prerequisite: Debate I or Administrative approval. Elective 10th-12th Grade, Full Year, 1 credit. Students may take the class up to three times. This course is designed for those who wish to further develop their skills in speech and debate beyond the novice level. Students will compete as a member of the SCA Speech and Debate Team. Students are expected to participate in MSHSAA/NSDA-sponsored debate and forensics tournaments throughout the year. Participation in two tournaments per semester is required, with competition level to be determined by the instructor. After school practices are required and Friday/Saturday tournament participation is expected to meet the tournament requirements. Students will also serve as mentors to students in the Junior High, Intro to Debate, and Debate 1 classes, including judging at novice level tournaments.

Curriculum: West Coast Publishing Ultimate Package NSDA Membership