WFU, other schools from across the U.S. host public debate about Sept. 11 and aftermath

The first National Debate-In will be held at Wake Forest on Nov. 18 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. It is part of the university’s student-initiated Year of Unity and Hope: Pro Humanitate at Work, a series of educational and service opportunities that relate to the war on terrorism.

The event takes place on the second day of the Franklin R. Shirley Dixie Classic, a national debate tournament hosted by Wake Forest. More than 170 debate teams from 75 colleges and universities around the country will be on campus for the three-day tournament. Tournament organizers are giving up one day of competition to host the National Debate-In for the public.

“The top-ranked intercollegiate debate teams from across the United States are dedicating their intellectual, research and rhetorical resources to these debates,” said Allan Louden, associate professor of communication and director of the Wake Forest debate program since 1977. “The public has a need for reasoned argument on these issues and we’re answering the call.”

Collegiate debaters and coaches from the various schools selected topics for each of the debates. More than 25 issues will be debated, including U.S. foreign policy, military responses, feminists’ reactions, religious perceptions, assassination, and hip-hop music’s role in terrorism. The debates will pit teams from Harvard University against Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dartmouth College against Northwestern University and the University of Michigan against Michigan State University, among many others.

Each debate format will provide an opportunity for audience participation and comment.

“The nature of debate is to carefully compare and evaluate ideas,” said Ross Smith, coach of Wake Forest’s debate team. “This event will give the public the opportunity to share their ideas and hear the ideas of others in an environment where no idea is wrong.”

“The debate community doesn’t claim to have all the answers,” Smith added. “What we’re doing is framing the questions to get the dialogue started.”

After the debates, a reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. for the public and all participants.

For more information on the National Debate-In, visit the Wake Forest debate Web site at www.wfu.edu/~debate.