POSTPONED: Advancing Public Policy through Debate: Study Group Session Two

Disagree to Agree: Advancing Public Policy through Debate

A THREE SESSION STUDY GROUP

led by Leslie Rogne Schumacher, Senior Fellow, National Security Program, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Associate, History Department, Harvard University

Session I: Formal vs. informal debate, historical traditions, and contemporary trends

Tuesday, 10/21, 3:00pm-4:15pm

• Learn the origins of debate and their relationship to contemporary ideas and norms. 

• Learn to approach debating from both a formal and an informal perspective. 

• Learn to use rhetorical theory and argumentation in public policymaking.

Session II: Researching for debates, speechwriting, teamwork, and public speaking

Tuesday, 10/28, 3:00pm-4:15pm

• Learn about position-based vs. consensus-based debating approaches.

• Learn incorporate debate objectives into your research and teamwork skillsets.

• Learn how to write impact-focused speeches on contentious topics and policy areas.

Session III: Acting, improvisation and affect theory in debate and civil discourse

Tuesday, 11/04, 3:00pm-4:15pm

• Prepare for planned vs. unplanned dynamics in debate and civil discourse.

• Explore ways to anticipate, adjust to, and master improvisation.

• Learn affect theory to take charge of and deploy your emotions in debates.