法学部Faculty of Law

This course will give students practice in the skills required to participate in a formal debate, including presenting, supporting and refuting arguments. The course aims to develop students’ ability to think critically, and to build their confidence in debating current affairs in English.

By the end of the course, participants will understand the format of a typical formal debate, and will understand how to present, support and refute arguments.
Students will also be able to participate in a formal debate in English as part of a team.

ディプロマポリシーのうち、「DP1」、「DP3」に強く関連。「DP2」、「DP4」に関連。

英語 / English

Important: This course will be conducted online. You will need access to a computer connected to the Internet and a Hosei Google account. We will use Zoom for all of the classes.

In the class, students will consider a number of controversial topics, and engage in activities designed to stimulate discussion of these topics. For homework, students will read internet sources to deepen their understanding of the topics, and prepare arguments in preparation for class debate. Students will be taught the terms and structure of formal debate, and topics will be debated both in small groups, and as a whole class. Classroom activities will be conducted in English, and there will be a focus on vocabulary, communication strategies and critical thinking.

Feedback on homework tasks will be provided via Google Classroom and Gmail using rubrics along with personalized comments.

あり / Yes

なし / No

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1：Orientation

class information
student information

2：Expressing opinions

expressing opinions
types of opinions
expressing agreement/disagreement
resolutions

3：Resolutions

introduction to debate terms
resolutions in the news reading
resolutions in the news reading - writing

4：Reasons and support

types of reasons
practice supporting opinions with reasons
identifying types of support
case study 1 - vegetarianism - listening and identifying support

5：Debate organisation
first affirmative constructive (FAC) speech

first affirmative constructive speech organisation
FAC group writing

6：Refutation 1

types of refutation
FAC practice
refutation group practice

7：Refutation 2
Speech "manner"

FAC and refutation group practice - various topics

8：First affirmative constructive speech performance

first affirmative constructive speech performance in front of class

9：Debate organisation
negative constructive speech

negative constructive speech organisation and practice
choose final debate topics and groups

10：Debate practice

debate review and small group practice

11：Challenging support

practice in questioning support

12：Debate preparation

group data collation and preparation

13：Rebuttal

rebuttal speech organisation
group preparation for final debate

14：Final debates

final debate performance

Students will be required to research topics outside class using articles on English language internet news sites, and to prepare arguments for classroom debate.本授業の準備学習・復習時間は各2時間を標準とします。

There is no set text for this course.

Materials will be provided by the instructor. Students will be responsible for gathering and organizing their own research materials as the course proceeds.

Class information and materials will be available here on the Google Classroom and in Google Drive.

There is no final examination for this course.
Your grade will be:
•30% class participation
•10% resolution homework
•15% first affirmative constructive speech (recording)
•15% debate technical language quiz
•30% final debate

more small group discussion
more help with content for final debate

A computer with reliable Internet connection and Zoom software installed (a smartphone will not be sufficient for the class).

A Hosei Google account.

Students are expected to play an active role in all aspects of this class in order to foster and maintain an academically challenging environment throughout the course.