As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”  Learning the fundamentals of debate builds that ability by forcing participants to see both sides of an issue. Debaters flex their analytical muscles, learning to find the weak points in opponents’ arguments. They learn to explain their ideas and assess different viewpoints, whether in a school or professional setting, during a political discussion, or through written publication. 

This workshop presents a conversational exchange on the following elements of debate: 

• The Essentials of a Good Argument 

• The Importance of Civil Discourse 

• Critical Thinking & Media Literacy  

Presenters:        Georgia Bedford, Visiting Lecturer of Communications 

Department of Communications  

Date:                         Thursday, October 26, 2023 

Time:                               10 a.m.-noon 
Location:                        342 Craig Hall, in-person 

Who Should Attend:    All faculty and staff