Debate as Civic Learning Debate for Civic Learning Institute - PDF document

9/25/19 Debate as Civic Learning Debate for Civic Learning Institute September 20, 2019 Paul E. Mabrey III, Ph.D. 1

9/25/19 SCHEV Civic Engagement Civic engagement is an array of knowledge, abilities, values, attitudes, and behaviors that in combination allow individuals to contribute to the civic life of their communities. It may include, among other things, exploration of one’s role and responsibilities in society; knowledge of and abi ability to engage with political systems and processes; and/or course-based or extra-curricular efforts to identify and address issues of public or community concern. 2

9/25/19 JMU Civic Engagement JMU Civic Engagement 3

9/25/19 Debate is NOT Debate is NOT 4

9/25/19 Debate can be Debate can be 5

9/25/19 Debate can be Debate as Civic Learning Rowland’s call for debate pedagogy to live Madison’s ideals – Reasoned advocacy – Evidence Communicate clearly to knowledge/passions of audience – William T. Gormley Jr.’s The Critical Advantage Critical thinking as open-minded inquiry that seeks relevant evidence to analyze question or hypothesis – Willingness to challenge conventional wisdom Inclination to reconsider own cherished beliefs – – Relentless search for good evidence – Draw appropriate inferences from good evidence Respect competing points of view – – Persistence when answers seem elusive 6

9/25/19 Debate as Civic Learning Evidence Debate as Civic Learning Evidence 7

9/25/19 Questions? 8