ACADEMIC DEBATE

Syllabus:
A- Theory
 Introduction
 Ethics of Communication
 Oral Presentation Skills ( Seminars)
 Class Discussion
 Speed Reading
 Slide and Power Point Presentation
 How to Construct an Argument
 Philosophy of Science and Generation of Knowledge
 Effective Poster Presentation
 Essay and Report Writing Skills
 Reference Management

B- Application
Proposal Writing:
 construct viable, logical cases, related to the department with
appropriate supporting materials and/or slides.
 construct a comprehensive brief as an extension of the case,
including possible negative attacks and counter arguments.
 arrange an in-class debate for the case.
 student's notes and comments are recorded as final report will be
circulated in the class as a course materials.
 INTRODUCTION

Academic debate is a valuable exercise that trains students to employ

various component skills. In this respect, participating in a debate is much
like writing a research paper. When students write a research paper, they
use a variety of component skills such as spelling, grammatical
construction, argument construction, evidence analysis, organization,
outlining, persuasion, word choice, and citation. Similarly, when students
engage in a debate, they are exercising a variety of component skills,
practicing their oral literacy in a laboratory environment which enables
careful and refined practice.

Academic debate is an important element of the growth of academic

knowledge, and is often made more passionate by the particular
experiences and desires that academics bring to their objects of study
(this is particularly visible in the fields of politics and religion). Without
ongoing debate, academic knowledge would not grow or change.

-Debate is the practice of comparing and contrasting ideas (not persons)

if some person said " I disagree with your idea," and explain the reasons
for you , not mean he dislike you.
- the goal of academic debate is the search for truth by showing the ideas
clearly and proof it with evidence to persuade the audience.
- manage conversation with rational argument ( i.e. not only insist on
your opinion ' yes or no') , while given reasons and evidences.
- why should we debate? help us to learning communication skills, and
have benefit for college student , you can learn skills of debating, speech,
research, writing, logical persuasion, thinking, confidence, and hold
conversation.
- resolution ( focus ) of the debate should be clearly shown.
- there are two side in debate: affirm which support the resolution and
oppose (negate) which reject it.

Debate is contention in argument; dispute, controversy; discussion;

especially the discussion of questions of public interest in Parliamentary
in any assembly.
Debating is commonly carried out in many assemblies of various types to
discuss matters and to make resolutions about action to be taken, often by
a vote. Deliberative bodies such as parliaments, legislative assemblies,
and meetings of all sorts engage in debates. In particular, in parliamentary
democracies a legislature debates and decides on new laws. Formal
debates between candidates for elected office, such as the leaders debates
and the U.S. presidential election debates, are sometimes held in
democracies. Debating is also carried out for educational and recreational
purposes, usually associated with educational establishments. The major
goal of the study of debate as a method or art is to develop the ability to
debate rationally from either position with equal ease.
Although informal debate is common the quality and depth of a debate
improves with knowledge and skill of its participants as debaters. The
outcome of a contest may be decided by audience vote, by judges, or by
some combination of the two.

Some skills learned from debate:

1- Research Competence
Students research constantly throughout the debate season. Because
topics change and are announced in advance, special impetus is created
for students to learn about current events. Changing topics encourage
students to constantly research through the season. Topics are designed to
be interesting and accessible for students, creating additional incentives.

2- Media Literacy:
Because students must consult and evaluate information from a variety of
media, they develop media literacy skills as part of research. The debate
process amplifies this learning, as students must find evidence and
arguments to support multiple sides of given topics. Media literacy is
developed in tandem with its companion skills: reading comprehension
and argument literacy.

3- Reading Comprehension:
Through debate participation, many students confront sources of
information that they would never otherwise consume. Debate provides a
series of incentives that challenge students to read materials which are
often considerably above their customary reading levels. As students
develop argument literacy, they gain tools to increase their reading
comprehension because they can analyze difficult texts in terms of their
more recognizable component parts. Reading comprehension is also
aided by the development of summarization and outlining skills.
4- Argument Literacy:
Students gain argument literacy as they learn to identify the constituent
parts of arguments (including assertions, reasoning, and evidence).
Argument literacy is a key skill for building reading comprehension and
media literacy. Students learn to identify and compare arguments for their
relative validity, using understanding of logical fallacies and other
failures of reasoning.

5- Evidence Evaluation:
Associated with argument literacy development, debate helps students
learn to critically evaluate many types of evidence, including historical
and contemporary examples. Debate fosters a sensitivity to bias (student
bias as well as author bias), assisting students in developing critical
thinking skills.

6- Summarization and Outlining:

Students summarize and synthesize their research. This summarization,
necessitated by the extemporaneous demands of the format, helps
students refine recall and reading comprehension skills.

7- Public Speaking:
The debate format helps students to develop an optimal mix of
impromptu and extemporaneous speaking skills. Oral literacy is
developed through informed practice and repetition. Students gain
confidence in otherwise intimidating speaking situations by preparing in
advance by learning speaking techniques and conducting research on
issues.

8- Floor Management and Civility:

Students engage each other throughout the debate using points of
information. This teaches skills associated with civil engagement.
Students also learn a skill unique to parliamentary debate formats: floor
management. Students learn to manage engaged discussions when
multiple parties are seeking to enter the discussion. This management
skill translates into multiple educational and professional settings.