CANG9174 : B2+ When Debate powers Democracy, a debating Class
- Responsable(s) :
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- Layla Roesler
- Enseignant(s) :
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- Carl Holland
Niveau
Tout niveau
Discipline
Langues pour non spécialistes
Public interne (réservés aux auditeurs de licence-master et normaliens )
Informations générales sur le cours : CANG9174
Overview
Rational debate, and the underlying assumption that the strongest, most convincing arguments will carry the day, has taken quite a few blows over recent years. Alternative facts, fake news, the spread of conspiracy theories, social networks and their information bubbles, have all shone a cruel light on the essential fragility of our democracies. But at the same time the vitality of online discussion forums, even while election abstention gains ground, shows that more people than ever want to add their voices to the debate.
This course, through predominantly practical sessions, will be looking at how to stimulate and revive a culture of debate and will pay particular attention not only to the chosen topics, but especially to the format and conventions of the debate.
To experiment different debating formats we will conduct practical exercises. These will prepare the ground for the debates that students will organise and run in small groups. The choice of format for the debate will be considered in light both of the topic and the aim of the debate (to reach a consensus, make a decision, share testimonies, etc.)
Alongside the debates, we will be analysing and practising different speaking styles from different periods and contexts to showcase a variety of rhetoric, that students will then be challenged to recreate.
Students will have a large say in the choice of topics that we debate, but we will also be looking to draw on historical references whenever possible.
Days and times change for this course each semester depending on the CDL's teachers' availabilities. Please see the CDL website.