Debate (Spring 26)
Grades 9 - 12Some information is not shown until you have an approved application, and logged in with an approved account.
Course Schedule
Dates: 2026-01-08 to 2026-05-14
Cost
Supplies: $0
Expectations and Homework
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About the Course
Debate offers an excellent means to learn public speaking, research, writing, critical thinking, and respectful argumentation skills. Debate is a type of conversation, formal or informal, where people of differing opinions express their ideas and refute or challenge ideas that are opposed to theirs. True debate is the practice of comparing and contrasting ideas respectfully in order to identify truth. With so many views present in the culture today, being able to analyze ideas, in light of truth, is invaluable.
We will begin our study of debate by looking at the basis for and application of debate. Students will learn general logic and reasoning, critical thinking, how to use evidence persuasively, refutation and rebuttal skills, how to find reputable sources, and the nuances and rules of policy debate. Students will write a debate case and will debate in class. This class is one semester only and can be counted as an English/Language Arts credit for Indiana Core 40.
Payments and the deposit for the class can be paid via check, cash, or venmo. My Venmo is Diane Cullen@Diane-Cullen-14
Registration
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About Diane
I enjoy teaching subjects that enable students to develop skills that will help them in life and also subjects that help them see God's work in the lives of people throughout time, as well as their own life. I have taught at Cornerstone since 2013. Before that I taught my own children (five of them) and also taught at IUS (for 15 years). I served as a coach for Truth Advocates Speech and Debate Club for nine years teaching students the skills of speaking and debating for competition. In that role I also worked with teams to plan and run tournaments. I attended Taylor University and earned a BA in communications and business.
In my free time I enjoy participating in and leading Bible studies, writing, exploring, traveling, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with friends and family.