Instructors
Course Description
Grading
Syllabus
Resources
Speaking, Arguing, and Writing
Memos
A
good discussion takes work and awareness of some basic rules.
1) Engaging in academic controversy
is about finding the best explanation by subjecting all claims to rigorous
critical analysis. It means coming to an understanding of the reasons
for difference as well as finding shared assumptions. It also means finding
the weak points in arguments. That is critical for advancing our understanding
of the issues. If you disagree with a statement, you have an obligation
to state your disagreement. Remember, you always critique arguments, you
never critique the person presenting the argument.
Criticism has to be constructive, not destructive. You want to
further our understanding of the issue, you don’t want to score points.
2) You cannot participate in a discussion effectively
unless you develop the habit of listening carefully. Your fellow students
have insightful things to say, and your arguments should be responsive
to theirs. Although we aspire to speak concisely, we often don’t. If you
are not sure what somebody else meant, ask for clarification.
3) While we want to construct our arguments carefully,
we have normally only a rough idea of the argument in mind and then develop
it as we speak. Do not wait until you have figured out the perfect argument
in your mind! If you have an idea, articulate it and develop the argument
as you go. That doesn’t legitimate any BS (which is normally recognized
rather easily), but it does legitimate a process of learning to articulate
an argument as you go. Again, practice will improve your performance.
By the end of the semester you’ll be much better than at the beginning.
4) Along similar lines, do not be afraid to speak up in the group. We all have different degrees of anxiety about speaking up in a group. There is no better way of speaking in a group than doing it. The more you do it, the lower your anxiety level. Don’t be intimidated, and by the same token, don’t intimidate.