Everyday Debate | Fall

“For what should a man live, if not for the pleasures of discourse?” —Plato

What would you do if you were having a conversation with a friend and realized that you completely disagreed with her point of view? What if your friend wanted to debate you about this issue? Would you welcome such a challenge as an adventure, or would you shrink from it as a threat? This Everyday Debate course gives students debating confidence and opens their eyes to the benefit of debate, disagreement, and discussion in day-to-day life or in a formal debate setting.

Guided by the Everyday Debate text, this course introduces students to classical debate concepts, including Socratic Dialogue and Formal Debate. We will look at the Five Common Topics of Invention and how those inform a discussion or debate, then we’ll examine some of the stylistic tools that make a presentation stand out. Throughout the semester, we’ll take opportunities to apply the concepts we’re studying, practicing impromptu speaking, mini-debates, research skills, and a formal debate as well.

Placement: Please read about our new process above.

Everyday Debate and Discussion is designed to serve either as a bridge for students in 9th grade and above who are moving from logic to rhetoric, or as a companion to upper-level logic or rhetoric studies. While this course does not have any required prerequisites, it is designed for students who have already completed a study of the informal fallacies. Students who have a working knowledge of the core content provided in an informal logic course (such as our course featuring The Art of Argument) will be ideally prepared for this course.

High School Credit: This course is the equivalent of 1/2 high school credit in speech and debate.

At Scholé Academy, we have carefully considered how we should engage our contemporary culture as those who believe that Christ is the Truth (John 14:6), and that all truth has its source in him. We think it is important to provide our upper school students (in grades 7-12) with tools and opportunities for critically examining various cultural trends, issues and mores through the lens of orthodox, Christian beliefs. Being confident in the truth revealed to us in creation, the Scriptures, and the tradition of the church, we are not afraid to follow the truth and its implications nor to address error and falsehood. … Read more about our Faith & Culture.

“My daughter has been stretched to think more deeply and to consider both sides of an issue objectively. She has really appreciated the fact that, even as a young teen, she has been given the opportunity to engage in thoughtful conversations about tough issues.” —Everyday Debate Parent

Required Materials:
Books and supplies are not included in the purchase of the course.

Everyday Debate and Discussion: A Guide to Socratic Conversation, Informal Discussion, and Formal Debate

Andy Newman calls western Nebraska home, that borderland where Midwest and West shake hands. There he has taught literature, composition, history, journalism, and the humanities for twenty years at the high school and college levels. His mind and heart have longed been pulled toward classical Christian education. And he is as excited as he is thankful to now be fully in its orbit.
His education is varied, having earned master’s degrees in history and English from the University of Wyoming and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, respectively. Most recently, he earned a MTh in Applied Orthodox Theology from the Antiochian House of Studies and a MA in Biblical Theology from John Paul the Great Catholic University and, in Fall of 2021, completed his coursework for the PhD in Humanities from Faulkner University and has moved on to the dissertation. [email protected]

Sherry Joslin earned her BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and holds a MA in Science and Religion from Biola University. She and her husband Brian live just south of Forth Worth in Burleson, Tx.
With over 12 years of experience in the classroom and as a homeschool mom, she has taught every grade K through 12th. Her classroom experience includes Logic, AP Physics, Honors Geometry, Algebra, Singapore Math and more. Prior to teaching, Sherry worked in Mission Control as a NASA engineer. When asked why she left, she explains that children are far more complicated than space shuttles, and that her greatest accomplishment has been in the role of mentoring and educating her three children who are living for Christ as young adults.
Sherry is passionate about showing students how the relationship between faith and science is not one of conflict but of qualified agreement; and before attending university, students should be confident that the Christian worldview provides a coherent understanding of both reality and their place in it as children of God. [email protected]

Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.

High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.

Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)

Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm

Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:

Visit zoom.us/download.
Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
Open and run the installer on your computer.
In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.

Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.

Z

Step 1

Z

Step 2

Z

Step 3

Z

Step 4

Explore our courses!

First, read the available course descriptions, noting prerequisites, target grades, and course objectives. If you think your student is prepared for the course, go ahead and register. After registration, a placement assessment may be provided to students, depending on the course and the student’s previous enrollment with Scholé Academy. Registration is finalized when the student’s placement assessment has been returned by the course instructor with placement confirmation.

All Courses | By Subject | By Grade

Read the Student-Parent Handbook.

Please take careful note of our teaching philosophy, our technology requirements, our school policies, the parent agreement, and the distinctions between our grade levels.

Double-check the course section dates and times.

Make sure they don't conflict with other activities in your schedule or other courses you are purchasing. Our system will not catch double-bookings!

You're ready to add course selections to your cart!

Our Assistant to the Principal will be in touch with you after your enrollment to help you with next steps, including any placement evaluations that may be required for your course selections.

This registration will be finalized when the student's placement assessment has been returned by the course instructor with placement confirmation.