Course: Debate Seminar (1201-571)

Persons:

Type of Course:

seminar

In-Class Hours Per Week:

2

Contents:

In this seminar, the students learn to prepare and to perform a debate. Generally, the debate is performed based on the style of the "Open Parlamentary Debate".
After the definition of a debate, the main ingredients of a good speech are presented based on the well-known and still applicable introductions of Aristotle. Then, the preparation, organization, and performance of a high-quality speech is trained including a good behavior of the speaker.
One week in advance, a topic of the debate is formulated by the students, which relates to the contents of this class and is matter of a controversial discussion among experts and/or in the public. By a draw it is selected whether the students belong to the government, the opposition or to the free speakers in the debate. These groups perform the final preparation of he debate together and independently, i.e., they allocate arguments and arrange their appearance in the debate. In the debate, the speakers of these parties present their arguments within a prescribed time schedule. The lecture is closed with an open discussion between the audience and all students.

Literature:

The specific rules are handed out and explained to students in written form during a preliminary meeting.

Location:

Hohenheim

Module:

• 1201-570 Debate Seminar (compulsory)