Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics

Dr. Lee McGaan  

  Office:  WH 308  (ph. 309-457-2155);  email:  lee@monmouthcollege.edu
  Home:  418 North Sunny Lane (ph. 309-734-5431, cell 309-333-5447)

Fall 2016 Office Hours:   MWF:  9:30 - 10am, 11am - Noon & 1 -2pm;  TTh:  2-3pm & by apt.  |  copyright (c) by Lee McGaan, 2006-2016
Description Syllabus Notes Questions Assignments Cases Resources Groups
 
   You will be required to participate in one of the issues debates scheduled for Wed. April 27 (two debates) and Mon. May 2. 
  1. The debates will be between two person teams - pro and con. 
  2. The format will be 5 (five) minutes [ maximum ] for each primary speech.
    1. 1st Affirmative (supporting the debate resolution)
    2. 1st Negative (opposing the debate resolution)
    3. 2nd affirmative,
    4. 2nd Negative  (in this order)
  3. These primary (constructive) speeches will be followed by an 8 (eight) minute [ maximum] period for general discussion and questions.
  4. The debate will end with a 2 - 3 (two to three) minute [ maximum ]period for each team to present a single summary speech showing why their view should prevail. 
  5. The purpose of each team's efforts is (obviously) to persuade the audience that your side is right!!

    Suggestions:

    • The affirmative should clearly state the debate proposition as agreed to by both sides.
    • Apply what you know about good persuasive speaking (e.g. audience analysis, organization, use of proof and appeals, logic, clarity of thesis and purpose)!  The elements of a good speech apply to your debate presentation.  The topic/resolution (or its opposite) is your thesis.  You should have a clear overview and follow it with well-phrased main points (assertions) that move your audience to accept your position using logos and ethos (and perhaps pathos as well).  Naturally, you will include an underview and last thought.
    • The affirmative always has the obligation to propose a clear change in the status quo.  The negative does not have to defend the status quo; they only need show the affirmative has not prevailed.
    • Both sides need to be clear in stating what they support and what they oppose.  A portion of your grade will depend on how well each team does in responding clearly and directly to the other side's arguments.
    • Use of course material for support is expected.  Use of additional support material on the topic is quite valuable and will help your grade.
    • Poor presentational skills hurt your persuasiveness and undermine your credibility as a Comm./PR major.
We need to set teams, dates and topics ASAP.  Let's see if we can finalize this on Monday, 4/5.
 
Here are a few of my ideas for debate topics.  I will be pleased to receive your additional ideas.
  • Resolved:  The U.S. Constitution should be amended to contain a specific individual right to privacy.
  • Resolved:  Dress codes in the public schools (K-12 or 8-12) should be found unconstitutional.
  • Resolved:  File sharing of copyright protected materials between private individuals should be permitted (e.g. Kaaza )
  • Resolved:  Educational and non-profit organizations should be allowed to use copyrighted material without obtaining permission as long as the commercial value of the material is not significantly reduced.
  • Resolved:  Federal law should provide some types of protection (a shield law) to allow reporters to maintain confidentiality of sources and information obtained as part of their paid work as a journalist.
  • Resolved:  Production, distribution and possession of all sexually explicit material by adults should be permitted under the first amendment.
  • Resolved:  The U.S. Constitution should be amended to permit laws prohibiting the desecration of significant national (and/or religious) symbols.
  • Resolved:  Federal law should guarantee the "right of reply" to any group or individual criticized in any media.
     
  • Resolved:  Hate speech should be punishable by criminal penalties.  OR
  • Resolved:  Monmouth College should adopt a speech code to punish "words that wound."

Grading:

I will grade your debates partially by team effectiveness and partially by individual speaking effectiveness.  You will get an individual grade.  The criteria I will use in grading the debates include:

  1. Use of material from the course (plus additional topical research) to support your arguments.
  2. Use of logic in the context of first amendment legal reasoning and free expression theory.
  3. Clarity and logical of your arguments.
  4. Effectiveness of the presentations (and discussion) as persuasive speeches.

last updated 1/21/2008