POL231 Debates

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2014
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Roman Chytilek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martin Burgr (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Miroslav Nemčok, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Miloš Gregor, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 17:00–20:15 U41, Wed 17:00–20:15 U44
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Kurs nevyžaduje žádné prerekvizity, je vhodný i pro studenty prvních ročníků. Vstupními předpoklady jsou zájem o politiku, schopnost pojmového uvažování a ochota verbálně vystupovat v rámci předem daných pravidel.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 35 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/35, only registered: 0/35, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/35
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 196 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Debating is a common part of social studies curriculum - particularly in the United States. Students will learn how to think critically about current political issues and how to approach them from different perspectives. Participating will also improve their argumentation and presentation skills. The course consists of seminars (students are divided into two groups), during which they debate in the British parliamentary format on improvised thesis (announced 15 minutes before the debate starts).
Syllabus
  • 1. Basics of academic debating and debate rules 2. Argumentation training 3. The roles of the teams in British parliamentary debate and possible strategies 4. Test and first Debate (Group A) 5. Test and first Debate (Group B) 6. Second Debate (Group A) 7. Second Debate (Group B) 8. Third Debate (Group A) 9. Third Debate (Group B) 10. Fourth Debate (Group A) 11. Fourth Debate (Group B) 12. Fifth Debate (Group A) 13. Fifth Debate (Group B)
Literature
  • NEMČOK, Miroslav. Debatná príručka (Debate Guide). Bratislava: Slovenská debatná asociácia, 2014, 238 pp. ISBN 978-80-971782-0-8. Plný text príručky info
  • On that point!an introduction to parliamentary debate. Edited by John Meany - Kate Shuster. New York: International Debate Education Association, 2003, 334 p. ISBN 0972054111. info
  • Art, argument, and advocacymastering parliamentary debate. Edited by John Meany - Kate Shuster. New York: International Debate Education Association, 2002, 382 p. ;. ISBN 0970213077. info
Teaching methods
The course is divided into two parts. During first three weeks all students attend the lectures. The lectures gives them insight into the organization of the course, provide them with information about the basics of academic debating, the basics of argumentation and the rules of British parliamentary debate format. Each of these lectures lasts about 90 minutes. All students are randomly divided into two groups (A, B) during the third week. After the third week the course continues in a form of seminars (there is one seminar per two weeks) during which students debate in British parliamentary format randomly divided into couples. Because there will be only one seminar every two weeks it is necessary to count with twice as long time demands. Two and a half to three hours per seminar are needed.
Assessment methods
During the semester students will attend five seminars altogether. Students have to participate at least in four out of five seminars to achieve the grade A-E. In case of full attendance only four best debate evaluations are taken into account (max. 20 points). The results of the test about debate format rules and debate strategies (max. 10 points) and written assessment of the record of the debate (max. 5 points) are taken into account in the final grade. For passing the course successfully it is necessary to get at least 21 points.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2014/POL231