Fall Semester 2021:
First Class of Spring Semester: August 28th, 2021
Last Class of Spring Semester: January 15th, 2022
First Class of Spring Semester: August 28th, 2021
Last Class of Spring Semester: January 15th, 2022
- Elementary Speech & Debate
- Who: All 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.
What: This course has quickly become one of our most popular offerings. In this course, we get elementary school students excited and confident about public speaking and the entire world of speech and debate. Students learn about: public speaking, logic, oratory, prepared and spontaneous speeches, various critical thinking models, foundational philosophy, writing concisely, emotional appeal, rebuttals and basic debate strategy, and so much more! There will be 3 to 4 tournament options for elementary students as well in the Spring.
Beginner Middle School Speech & Debate
Who: Middle School students that are new to debate
What: This course is for middle school students who are beginning their speech and debate journey. Students will learn all about the major speech and debate events. Key topics include: public speaking, logic, argumentation strategy, rebuttals, critical thinking models, prepared and spontaneous speeches, interpretive speeches, rhetoric, oratory, ethics, technical debate, public policy basics, constitutional theory, theories of justice, democratic theory, technical writing, case preparation, closing arguments, cross examination, and more!
Class Options: Saturday: 9am-11am; 2pm-4pm; Sunday: 2pm-4pm; Tuesday: 4pm-6pm
Note: We've just added a High School only section on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.
Who: Middle School students that are new to debate
What: This course is for middle school students who are beginning their speech and debate journey. Students will learn all about the major speech and debate events. Key topics include: public speaking, logic, argumentation strategy, rebuttals, critical thinking models, prepared and spontaneous speeches, interpretive speeches, rhetoric, oratory, ethics, technical debate, public policy basics, constitutional theory, theories of justice, democratic theory, technical writing, case preparation, closing arguments, cross examination, and more!
Class Options: Saturday: 9am-11am; 2pm-4pm; Sunday: 2pm-4pm; Tuesday: 4pm-6pm
Note: We've just added a High School only section on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.
Experienced Speech & Debate
Who: Any student with over 1 year of speech and debate experience.
What: Students will take their speech and debate skills to the next level in this course. Students will receive next-level training related to key speech and debate pillars. Students in this class will do a deep dive into debate strategy and also learn various speech events. This class is for students interested in LD debate, Parliamentary Debate, Congress, and Speech.
Class Options: Saturday: 11am-1pm; 4pm-6pm; Sunday: 11am-1pm
Who: Any student with over 1 year of speech and debate experience.
What: Students will take their speech and debate skills to the next level in this course. Students will receive next-level training related to key speech and debate pillars. Students in this class will do a deep dive into debate strategy and also learn various speech events. This class is for students interested in LD debate, Parliamentary Debate, Congress, and Speech.
Class Options: Saturday: 11am-1pm; 4pm-6pm; Sunday: 11am-1pm
Advanced Debate / AdLab
Who: Any student with 2 or more years of debate experience who believes they are ready for the most advanced debate training
What: The purpose of our Advanced program is to group top competitors into a single cohort. In doing so, top students can reach the apex of their debate potential by preparing for tournaments together. Advanced students have the ability to share prep materials, debate other top-tier students, work with the full slate of Athens instructors engage in more advanced curriculum, and help each other reach the next level of competitive debate.
Class Options: Saturday: 4pm to 6pm; Sunday 4pm to 6pm
Who: Any student with 2 or more years of debate experience who believes they are ready for the most advanced debate training
What: The purpose of our Advanced program is to group top competitors into a single cohort. In doing so, top students can reach the apex of their debate potential by preparing for tournaments together. Advanced students have the ability to share prep materials, debate other top-tier students, work with the full slate of Athens instructors engage in more advanced curriculum, and help each other reach the next level of competitive debate.
Class Options: Saturday: 4pm to 6pm; Sunday 4pm to 6pm
Parliamentary Debate
Who: Experienced / Advanced students interested in Parliamentary Debate
What: This course is laser focused on one event: parliamentary debate. Parliamentary debate is a 2-on-2 debate style in which students participate in spontaneous debate. This course is for students who have experience with this style and wish to specialize in this event at the highest level.
Class Options: Saturday: 5pm to 7pm; we may add one more option for novice parliamentary if there is sufficient interest, please inquire if this interests you.
Who: Experienced / Advanced students interested in Parliamentary Debate
What: This course is laser focused on one event: parliamentary debate. Parliamentary debate is a 2-on-2 debate style in which students participate in spontaneous debate. This course is for students who have experience with this style and wish to specialize in this event at the highest level.
Class Options: Saturday: 5pm to 7pm; we may add one more option for novice parliamentary if there is sufficient interest, please inquire if this interests you.