Tri-State University students will hold a public debate on the Patriot Act on Tuesday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m. in Taylor Hall’s Wells Theater. The public is invited to attend and will be given the opportunity to participate in the debate.

The debate resolution will be: “The U.S. Congress should significantly reduce the powers granted by the Patriot Act.” TSU’s Department of English and Communication is sponsoring the debate, which involves students who are enrolled in one of the program’s courses.

The debate will be conducted in the “British style” of interactive debate, which encourages lively interactions among speakers and audience members. The “winner” of the debate will also be decided in the British style, based on which side convinces the most additional people to adhere to that side of the proposition.

Students will begin the debate with six opening speeches – three in favor of the resolution, three opposed – and four cross-examinations. Following the students’remarks, the floor will be opened for audience members to continue the debate by cross-examining the speakers or by making their own arguments. The debate will conclude with two speeches, one from each side, and an audience vote to determine the debate’s “winner.”

 

Whitney Doyle, Vickie Parker, and Kris Kritzer will argue in favor of the resolution. Amanda Steiner, Jennifer Boyd, and Kara Kauffman will argue against the resolution. Another student, Leslie Erlenbaugh, will be the moderator. All are members of the Persuasion and Argumentation class taught by Don Jones, Ph.D.. “The purpose of the public debate is to encourage rational discussion of important issues and to help people understand how enjoyable and educational debate and argumentation can be,” said Jones. “The debate resolution is particularly timely given Congress’ deliberations about the Patriot Act’s sunset provisions.”

Jones coached successful intercollegiate debate teams at Ball State University, the University of Dayton, the University of Illinois, and the University of Minnesota.

He hopes to arrange one public debate each semester. For more information, please contact Dr. Don Jones at (260) 665-4866 or by email at jonesd@tristate.edu.