Professor: Trond Jacobsen
4 credits
Participating in public arguments about important public policy remains a consistent fear of Americans, including college students, yet dozens of studies since the 1940s provide overwhelming evidence that participation in academic debate better prepares students for success as undergraduates and later as graduates than any other academic activity. The capacity to effectively research, prepare, present, share, collaboratively produce, articulate, and critique arguments catalyzes the realization of other academic abilities and professional achievements, both inside and outside the classroom. The ability to constructively participate in complex conversations and arguments about public policy is a requirement for effective participation in democratic life. This course helps students understand the foundations of effective public speaking, the properties and structures that make arguments strong or weak, and the strategies and techniques that make speakers persuasive when engaging varied audiences on important questions of public policy. In addition to a variety of types of written work and reading assignments, students participate in speaking activities, including academic debates in class. A very large share of instructor feedback is immediate, directly following in-class speaking exercises and debates. Our pedagogical framework integrates oral advocacy, critical thinking, scholarly research, and intellectual collaboration. This 4-credit course applies toward the HC 231H Social Science requirement needed to graduate from the Clark Honors College.