Spring 2008
Communication Studies Course 25.321
"He who establishes his argument by
noise and command
shows that his reason is weak."
Michel de Montaigne
James Tomlinson, Ph.D.
Spring Semester 2008
Office Hours:
Tues/Thurs 7:30 - 8 am and Tues/Thurs 12:15 - 1pm
Mon 4 - 5 pm
(other times by appointment)
25.321.01 Tues/Th
11:30 - 12:15 BCH 210
"People generally quarrel because
they cannot argue."
Gilbert K. Chesterton
Course Objectives:
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This course will examine fundamental principles of logic, evidence, reasoning, organization, and effective presentation of arguments both in favor and in opposition to a proposition.
The course will focus on:
Improving your ability
to analyze and criticize arguments.
Understanding the
differences between facts and inferences.
How to research and
organize.
The role of
argumentation in society.
Improving your ability
to perform as an advocate.
Class will be conducted in a lecture/discussion format for the first few weeks, as we discuss the readings and other assignments. The second part of the course will focus on in-class debate presentations.
Debates will be evaluated on the basis of your research, organizational and presentational skills. While the class will vote on who won each debate, winning or losing will not be the basis of your grade.
Student debaters will turn in all copies of evidence prepared for each debate, regardless of its use during the debate, and the flow-chart taken during the debate. Full citation of all material will be expected.
Text: Advocacy and Opposition Karyn C., and Donald J. Rybacki. 5th Edition, 2000. Allyn and Bacon Publishers.
Course Activities/Policies:
Students will perform 2 in-class debates, one as a member of the Affirmative, the other as a member of the Negative. Students will also critique all other class debates.
Attendance
- 2 unexcused absences will be allowed without penalty.
Grading -
Final Exam 15%
Written Critiques 10%
Mid Term Exam 15%
Class Participation 15%
Lincoln/Douglas Debate 20%
Team Debate 25%
"He who knows only his own side of
the case, knows little of that. "
John Stuart Mill
Course Calendar
Date Class Activity Readings
Jan.
15
Course Introduction/Orientation (Topic Selection
Discussion)
(FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: read "Aristotle
on Rhetoric" (use the link) then create an outline that
identifies the major themes/ideas that you find most relevant to the use of
Argumentation - Read the article for discussion in class
Jan.
17 Basics of Argumentation and Debate
_________
Jan
23
Defining Argumentation/Debate
Terminology Chapters 1
+ 2
Appendix A - Debate Rules
Democratic Ideals and Rhetorical Foundations
of Argumentation
Jan
25 (Teams assigned)
Topic Selection -Types of
Propositions Chapters 3 +
4
Critical
Thinking/Reasoning and the Structure of Argument
Chapter 5
Types and
Tests of
Evidence - Research and Analysis -
Fallacies Chapter 6 + 7 + 8
_________
Jan 30 GUEST SPEAKER - Candidate for a position in our department - Deborah Bassett.
Feb
1
Framing the Affirmative Proposition
(LD Topics Due)
_________
Feb 6 Support and Research/Preparing a Brief Appendix B - Writing an Aff Brief
Feb
8
_________
Feb 13
Negative Case Preparation
(HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Click Here )
Feb 15
GUEST SPEAKER - Candidate for a position in our department -
Catherine
Westerman
_________
Feb
20
Presentation Skills and
Audience Analysis
Chapter
12
Cross-examination skills and techniques
NAMES IN BLUE ARE THE AFFIRMATIVE SPEAKERS - RED FOR NEGATIVE
Feb
22 RESOLVED:
All schools should have sex education and promote the use
of contraceptives Kayli
-
Rachael
_________
Feb
27
RESOLVED: That only Gender Segregated Sports Teams should be allowed in
High Schools
Patrick - Sean
Mar
1
RESOLVED: That Gay Adoption of
Children should be Banned
Amanda
- Claire -
_________
mar 6 RESOLVED: English should be the Official Language of the US Jaime - Erin
march 8
RESOLVED: That Human Cloning should be Allowed:
Melanie - Tara
_________
March 13/15 NO CLASSES - SPRING BREAK
March 20 RESOLVED: That Diet Pills are Dangerous Nicole - Rachel
March 22 RESOLVED: That the Spanking or Smacking of Children is Banned - Lindsay -Ryan
March 27 RESOLVED: That Gender Assignment at Birth is Detrimental to Children Tara and Ashly -
March 29 RESOLVED: That the US Needs New Laws Against Illegal Immigration - Kelly - Matt
April 3 RESOLVED: That the use of Marijuana should be Legalized - Greg and Diane
April 5 RESOLVED: That the US should have universal National Health Insurance Colleen - Amir
April 10 RESOLVED: That the US should immediately withdrawa troops from Iraq . - Candy - Nelson
TEAM DEBATES speakers in BLUE are Affirmative - Speakers in RED are Negative
April 12 Rachael, Kayli, Patrick, Sean
April 17 RESOLVED: That School Uniforms should be used in Public Schools. Amanda, Claire, Jaime, Erin
April 19 RESOLVED: That Smoking should not be allowed in Public Places. Melanie, Tara, Nicole, Rachel
April 24 Lindsay, Ryan, Tara, Ashley
April 26 Matt , Kelly, Greg, Diane
May 1 Employee Surveillance - Amir ,Colleen, Candy, Nelson
Click here for Argumentation Web Links for research
and debate organizations
Click here for Argumentation Course Handouts,
class debate
schedules, and supplemental materials
Click here to read my Policy on Plagiarism
"We are
what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
Aristotle
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