ASU Forensic Union & Debate Team
The Appalachian State University Forensic Union & Debate Team is dedicated to critical thinking and open discussion of social and political issues. The Forensic Union is one of the oldest organizations on the App State campus. Intercollegiate competition has been supported by the university since 1963. In 2008-2009, the American Debate Association awarded the App State Debate Team 11th place in the nation, and the Cross Examination Debate Association awarded the team the second place Public Sphere Award for exemplary service to its campus and community.
The nationally competitive debate team participates in cross-examination style debate, which is policy-centered, research-focused, and highly specialized. Competitions are held through university sponsored tournaments, where over 200 universities participate throughout an academic year. One topic is selected by the policy debate community each academic year and then thoroughly researched and debated throughout that year.
The topic for 2009-2010 is:
Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reduce the size of its nuclear weapons arsenal, and/or substantially reduce and restrict the role and/or missions of its nuclear weapons arsenal.
As a service to the campus and the community, the Forensic Union is available to assist campus and community non-profit groups in organizing and moderating public forums about controversial events.
Aristotle's Cafe
The Appalachian State University Forensic Union’s philosophical discussion groups, called Aristotle’s Café, are student-facilitated small groups designed to explore complex questions. The facilitators are trained to support group members in becoming more autonomous, conscientious thinkers and doers, as well as skilled speakers and listeners. In the spirit of Aristotle and his teachers, we believe that we only discover what we truly think about something by engaging in constructive and empathic discourse with others.
After meeting in Whitewater Cafe of the campus Student Union, small groups of twelve or fewer disperse to various areas of the student union. Led by a trained student facilitator, groups spend ninety minutes discussing a question determined spontaneously by the group. In an Aristotle’s Café, just about any question can be grist for meaningful dialogue. Or at least, virtually any question can be fine tuned so it can be looked at in a philosophical way, and our facilitators are trained to do exactly this.
What to expect:
Picture a group of people gathered together for a regular meeting to talk about their thoughts and concepts of the world. At the beginning of the meeting a facilitator assists the group in determining the question or idea that is most interesting or valuable for the group to explore. With minimum verbal participation, the facilitator assists group members in discovering and sharing their thoughts about their chosen topic. Every participant is encouraged to engage on the topic. Facilitators are trained to resist making comments or drawing conclusions on the topic. Instead, facilitators question participants to attain depth and to discover hidden complexities of the topic, as well as of the group interaction.
Aristotle’s Café nurtures:
- Listening
- Reasoning
- Empathic Communication
- Constructive Civic Engagement
- Constructive Social Skills
- Increased awareness of nonverbal communication
2009-10 Schedule
WHEN: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
During fall 2009, Aristotle’s Café will meet Wednesday, September 16, through Wednesday, November 18.
During spring 2010, Aristotle’s Café will meet Wednesday, February 17, through Wednesday, April 14. In the event of inclement weather, Aristotle’s Café will not meet.
Cancellations will be posted to the Appalachian State University Forensic Union & Debate Team’s group page on facebook.
Groups begin promptly at 7 p.m. and conclude around 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Students will meet in Whitewater Café in the Plemmons Student Union. Signs and greeters will be at Crossroads Café.
WHO: Students, faculty, and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend.
For more information contact the Co-Directors, Kris or Mariam Willis.
Kris Willis: Walker Hall 107A (828) 262-8371 williskw@appstate.edu
Mariam Willis: Walker Hall 107B (828) 262-7527 willismr@appstate.edu
