Professor: Trond Jacobsen

4 credits

Students  learn the foundations of effective argumentation and advocacy, the properties and structures that make oral arguments strong or weak, and the strategies and techniques that make speakers persuasive when engaging varied audiences on issues of public and social policy. The capacity to effectively prepare, present, defend and critique arguments is life-changing and enables the realization of many other opportunities in college and beyond. A wide range of studies since the 1940s have identified participation in forensics activities – competitive speaking in the public sphere – better prepares students for academic and professional success than any other co-curricular activity. Students participate in debates in class and other speaking and writing activities. Students have extra credit opportunities to apply their knowledge at one or more debate tournaments hosted by Oregon (Eugene), Gonzaga (Spokane), or remotely by the University of Minnesota using the  Collegiate Advocacy, Research and Debate 2025-26 topic.