WHAT IS FORENSICS?
"Forensics" is a word rooted in the Western world's
classical experience. The Greeks organized contests for speakers that
developed and recognized the abilities their society felt were central to
democracy. These exercises acquired the title "forensics," derived from the
Latin term for ensis and closely related to forum. Because the training in
this skill of public advocacy, including the development of evidence, found
one of its important venues in the law courts, the term "forensic" has also
become associated with the art and science of legal evidence and argument.
(Retrieved July 10th 2009 from
http://www.americanforensics.org/what.html).
The Forensics speech and debate program at Rio Hondo College
helps students prepare for careers involving public speaking, debate, and
performance. RHC Forensics is dedicated to improving RHC student oral
communication skills, and critical speaking and thinking.
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Moreover, RHC Forensics is dedicated to aiding RHC
student transfer rates.
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RHC Forensics also reaches out to the community
providing community performances: Speech students have performed for
elementary schools, middle and high schools.
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Debate exchanges: RHC Forensics students compete at
several local and national debate tournaments, exchanging ideas and best
practices with other debaters.
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In house communication opportunities: Each year the
program offers an intramural speech tournament. Hundreds of Rio Hondo
students wanting to improve their speaking skills have participated.
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Learn and create a solo performance: Forensics includes
valuable experience participating in the solo performance piece.
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Guest speakers: RHC Forensics students listen to
successful guest speakers.
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Scholarships: Speech student scholarships are available
and our students also become eligible for other transfer scholarships
upon successful participation.
To Join
. . . add one or more of the following courses to your class schedule and
attend one of the orientations listed in the schedule of classes.
Speech 110 (2 units): This course trains students to
participate in the RHC: Forensic Speech & Debate Team and/or to participate
in community speech activities. This course emphasizes speech writing and/or
presentation in debates, limited preparation speeches, drama, poetry, prose,
humorous, informative, and persuasive speaking genres. This course is
appropriate for students specializing in areas involving public speaking
such as law, political science, drama, instruction or community advocacy.
This course may be taken once and repeated three times for credit.
Speech 111 (2 units): This course involves
participation in the RHC: Forensic Speech and Debate Team. Student’s
research, structure, and present debate cases. Students in this course will
improve their ability to debate at intercollegiate debate tournaments.
Emphasis is placed on successful participation in National Parliamentary
Debate Association (NPDA) sanctioned tournaments. This course is recommended
for students preparing for careers in law, political science, or community
advocacy. This course may be taken once and repeated three times for credit.
Speech 112 (2 units): This course is designed to
train students in the analysis and performance of literature at speech
events attended by the RHC: Forensic Speech and Debate Team. Students
develop skills to interpret and perform literature ranging from the play,
screenplay, short story novel, and poetry. Students gain an understanding of
character and scene analysis as it applies to an oral interpretation
performance. This course is recommended for students specializing in
communication, performance studies, and creative literature. This course may
be taken once and repeated three times for credit.
These courses count towards graduation and are CSU transferable.
All students interested in participating in Forensics
Speech & Debate should enroll in Speech 110. Returning Forensics Students
are also encouraged to sign up for Speech 111 and/or 112.
For more information please contact Director of
Forensics/Forensics Coordinator, Libby Curiel at
lcuriel@riohondo.edu or 562-692-0921 x3131
