After a long period of substantial academic assault, the ideal of democracy as "government by the people" is undergoing renewal and re-evaluation. Jurgen Habermas's persistent exploration of the conditions which make rational discussion of public affairs and democratic decision-making possible has generated numerous concepts that may be…

Debaters are trained to think differently from others, and while that type of thinking might be useful, it can be detrimental to interpersonal relationships. Participation in debate creates a unique standpoint, which, in turn, plays havoc with a debater's ability to cope with uncertainty, encourages second-guessing, impedes rather than fosters…

This paper presents an explanation, justification, and invitation to establish and participate in local circuits for intercollegiate forensic tournaments. It begins by discussing the personal experience of one college forensic group in various national tournament circuits. It then presents reasons the founding of a local circuit was needed, citing…

In 1917 and 1918 Charles Hubert Farnsworth, a music educator, and David Snedden, a critic and educational theorist, exchanged views on the social and educational roles of art and music. Their divergent positions are explained in light of Farnsworth's interest in philosophy and Snedden's schooling in Spencerian and Darwinian thought. (Author/IS)

Presents justifications for computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in debate. Suggests programs that could be written. Discusses one CAI application: the use of CAI drills to train negative team members and to instruct in cross-examination skills. Includes the "Listing of CAI Drill for 1st Negative Debater." (PD)

Examines three strategies by which competitive debaters generate and organize their affirmative cases. Discusses how the persuasive writer can use these same three strategies as heuristics for deliberative discourse and as models for its organization. (HTH)

Argues that the news media actively promoted presidential debates, sought to establish expectations, and then became active critics. Concludes that presidential skills were seen as more important than message content. Notes that the current format does not enlarge public understanding and suggests a Lincoln-Douglas format in the future. (PD)

Includes materials from major speech publications and scholarly publications sponsored by other disciplines. Covers the history, practice, and theory of argumentation; scholastic forensics; experimental studies; interpersonal conflicts; political campaign communication; and articles of general interest. (PD)

Describes current judging philosophies in academic debate and attempts to define policymaking, hypothesis testing, stock issues, and "tabula rasa" judging philosophies by examining the responses of judges so labeled to specific judging situations. (JMF)

Examines the characteristics of incrementalism as it defines the present system in competitive debate. Outlines the strengths and weaknesses of this slow and deliberate pursuit of diverse goals and contends that it holds much argumentative promise. (JMF)

Analyzes a 1976 House of Representatives' debate in light of classical writings on the problem of defining and using "power" for rhetorical ends. Outlines the classical solution of powerful diction, brevity, and figures of speech for intensifying the impact of already compelling argument and applies these to the contemporary analysis.…

Examines the main political-rhetorical events of the 1980 presidential campaign: the rise and fall of various candidates, convention highlights, and the campaign from Labor Day to November 4 with special attention to the debates. Available from City News Publishing Co., Box 606, Southold, New York 11971; sc $1.25. (PD)

Describes the use of the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire to identify personality correlates of competitiveness among debaters, novice debaters, and nondebaters. The study suggests that the differences in competitiveness are attributable to the type of person attracted to debate rather than to traits learned in debate. (JMF)

Rationale and format for classroom debates in science are given. Suggested possible topics include: euthanasia, genetic engineering, pollution, evolution, drug abuse, and nuclear power. (MK)