Debate, Minor

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Student members of the competitive debate team may declare this minor. The Debate Minor is appropriate for students with aspirations to pursue graduate studies, careers in education, or speech/debate coaching. Debate and critical thinking skills are also applicable to careers in law, management, politics, public policy, and other advocacy/communications related positions.

This minor is not open to students who have declared a major or minor in Communication Studies.

Contact Information

Department of Communication Studies
Lincoln Hall 318
(775) 784-6839
https://www.unr.edu/communication-studies

College of Liberal Arts Student Center
Thompson Building 101
(775) 682-8745
http://www.unr.edu/liberal-arts/student-resources/academic-advising

I. Program Requirements (18 units)

Minor GPA | 2. 0
Minor Upper-Division Units | 9
Minor Residency Requirement | 6 Upper-Division Units in the minor at UNR
Unit Limits: Per College of Liberal Arts policy, no more than 9 units counted toward any major may be reused to meet the requirements of this minor.

A. Debate Requirement (9 units)

6-8 upper-division units (COM 309, COM 409) are required.

COM 209 - Debate and Critical Thinking (1 to 3 units) variable
COM 309 - Advanced Debate (1 to 3 units)
COM 409 - Debate Practicum (1 to 3 units) CO14

B. Formal Speaking Requirement (3 units)

COM 101 - Oral Communication (3 units)
COM 217 - Argumentation and Debate (3 units)
COM 329 - Business and Professional Speaking (3 units)

C. Upper-Division COM Electives (3-6 units)

Complete at least one additional COM course numbered 300-499.

D. Upper-Division Electives (0-3 units)

Up to 3 units from an upper-division course from a debate-related discipline may apply here. Courses may require instructor approval (if there are prerequisites), and courses from other departments are at the discretion of the instructor/subject to advisor approval. Electives should relate to learning theoretical foundations or about contemporary events that would enhance students’ abilities to problem-solve and create arguments related to broadly defined debate controversy areas and social justice topics.

Pre-Approved Electives Include:

ANTH 418 - Global/Local Inequalities (3 units) CO11, CO14
ENG 409C - Contemporary Rhetorical Theory and Criticism (3 units)
GRI 418 - Global/Local Inequalities (3 units) CO11, CO14
HIST 493 - Queer History and Theory (3 units) CO10, CO13
PHIL 450 - Ethical Theory (3 units) CO12
PHIL 453 - Topics in Philosophy of Law (3 units) CO8
PHIL 454 - Global Ethics and Justice (3 units) CO11, CO12
PHIL 457 - Political Philosophy (3 units) CO12, CO14
PHIL 480 - Science, Technology and Society (3 units) CO9, CO13
PSC 320 - Policy Analysis (3 units)
PSC 323 - Ancient and Medieval Political Theory (3 units) CO12
PSC 324 - Modern Political Theory (3 units)
PSC 353 - Identity Politics in the United States (3 units) CO10
PSC 409A - Political Philosophy (3 units) CO12, CO14
WMST 300 - Genders, Cultures and Identities (3 units) CO10, CO13
WMST 354 - Politics and Women (3 units) CO10
WMST 493 - Queer History and Theory (3 units) CO10, CO13