Challenging the Canon: Curriculum, Teaching Methods, and Assessment for Debate Outreach to Housing Communities

Session Submission Type: Panel Discussion

Abstract

This panel critically examines a debate outreach initiative to housing communities in Atlanta, Georgia in an effort to expose the challenges and possible remedies for providing debate training access to typically underserved communities. The speakers will examine traditional debate curriculum models and teaching methods for the purpose of demonstrating how unconventional approaches have yielded substantial success with populations that lack basic literacy skills and community norms that would value debate. The program will conclude with a critical looks at NCA's assessment tools for oral competency, critical thinking, and communication anxiety to examine how the conventional tools fail to appropriate examine the skills of such out-of-the-mainstream populations.

Sub Unit

• American Forensic Association

Chair

• Bill Newnam, Emory University

Participant

• Oninailah Oluremi, Benjamin Carson Honors Prepartory Academy

Respondent

• William Baker, New York University