Debating

Course Code: 
CR22C
Credits: 
Three (3)
Level: 
II
Duration: 
Semesters I & II
Time Required: 
Two (2) hours per week.

Maximum Number of Students: Twenty (20)

Aim At the end of the course, participants should be able to address in either public discussion, debate or speech general topics in the areas of current affairs, economics, politics, religion, philosophy, sociology, culture and education.

Course Outline

Section I – Coursework:  - Argument as Discourse
   - Rhetoric
   - Fundamentals of Public Speaking
   - Speech Communications
   - General Knowledge
   
Section II – Research Paper:

Participants must conduct research on a chosen topic in
ONE of the following areas, to be presented for oral
examination:

  • Current affairs
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Philosophy
  • Sociology
  • Culture
  • Education.
   
Section III – Oral Presentations:
  • Discussions
  • Debates
  • Speeches

Course Delivery
Section I - Semesters I and II
Section II - Semester II
Section III – Semesters I and II

Course Presenters

  • Co-ordinator
  • Guest lecturers from the Mona Campus, the Norman Manley Law School and LaVerne University, Southern California
  • Retired staff

Teaching Methodologies

  • Presentations by guest lecturers
  • Tutorials
  • Discussions
  • Debates
  • Public speaking
  • Reading for general knowledge
  • Research paper
  • Attendance at public fora

Course Assessment

Coursework: written examination (multiple choice) one hour 25%
Research Paper: approximately 1500 words. 25%
Practical: members must participate in at least five debate rounds. These may include local (campus), national, regional or international tournaments 50%

Candidates must pass all aspects of the course. The pass mark is 50%.

Second-marking is guaranteed by having a panel of judges assessing debates, speeches and other presentations.

Estimated Costs

L ectures and tutorials
$19,200. 00
Course materials
$ 5,000. 00
Examiners’ fees
$14,000. 00
Course co-ordination
$10,000. 00
TOTAL
$48,200. 00

Recommended Reading
Brooks, Cleanth and Penn Warren, Robert, Fundamentals of Good Writing, Dennis Dobson Ltd, London, 1963

Rybacki, Karen Charles; Hansen, Kathleen A.; Rybacki, Donald J, Advocacy and Opposition: An Introduction to Argumentation, Fifth Edition, Allyn & Bacon, 2003

Bauer, Otto Frank, Fundamentals of Debate: Theory and Practice, Rockbrook Press, 1999

Osborn, Michael; Osburn, Suzanne, Public Speaking, Houghton Mifflin Co, 2002
Lucas, Stephen E., The Art of Public Speaking, Media Enhanced Edition with Learning Tool Suite, McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2001

Freeley, Austin J.; Steinberg, David L., Argumentation and Debate: Critical Thinking for Reasoned Decision Making, Wadsworth Publishing, 1999

Carlton Lowrie
Co-ordinator, UWI Debating Society
April, 2003