Non-Department Courses

Grades: 9-12
Credits: 5

Prerequisite: None

College Prep: CSU/UC “g” College-Preparatory Elective
This course focuses on rhetoric, the art of effective and persuasive speech. Over the course of the semester, we will explore three key questions: What is rhetoric? How does one persuade? What is the power of persuasion?In doing so the assignments will be designed to unlock your public speaking skills, empower you to be effective and ethical orators, and understand the role persuasion plays in our society. In addition, the work completed in this course will help prepare anyone interested in participating in competitive speech & debate.

Grades: 10-12
Credits: 5

Prerequisite: Completion of Rhetoric I, or a full year of speech and debate experience.

Course Description: This one-semester, elective course builds upon the Rhetoric I class. This is an advanced course in public speaking and argumentation that challenges students to build upon their critical thinking skills by analyzing language, philosophy, and politics. Students will learn to synthesize information, confront differing and nontraditional argumentation and advocacies, and will be able to employ these skills for effective oral communication and advocacy. Students will be required to deliver speeches in interesting and creative methods. Competitive opportunities will be available to students, but will not be required.