Instructor
Professor Kevin Kuswa, Rhetoric and Communication Studies
Academic Year(s) Offered
2010 - 2011
Overview
Welcome! This SSIR course begins with a semester in the classroom learning about the ways we deliberate and advance positions as well as participate in politics on all levels. The process of debate in the context of argumentation is one of the oldest and most effective means of communication, clash, and synthesis. When faced with a broad resolution, the need for a creative series of arguments and the critical thinking to predict the responses to those arguments are both indispensable pieces of academic excellence.
Students will tkae the Argumentation and Debate course (RHCS 201) which involves reading and presenting articles about argumentation theory and then preparing controversy briefs in order to engage in full debates. We will focus on the National Debate Topic in the preparation of evidence so that students will be ready to compete against two-person teams from other colleges and universities. The university’s debate website provides additional information.
Students may decide to begin participation in intercollegiate debate tournaments during the first semester (the University of Richmond hosts its national tournament over fall break), but students that wait will still be able to compete at two or more tournaments in the spring semester.
Possible Readings
Readings will include a substantial amount of research based on the National Debate Topic for 2010-2011. In addition to research on the topic area, readings will include a series of articles and book chapters about theory in argumentation and debate.
Possible Group Activities
Engaging in practice debates and judging each others’ debates will be a regular part of the course. Students will also be involved with hosting or competing at the Spider National Debate Tournament over fall break 2010. Most importantly, students should plan to compete at two or more intercollegiate debate tournaments with an emphasis on tournaments held during the spring semester.
