CMST 3 - Argumentation & Debate

Hello and welcome to Argumentation & Debate!

When most people think about an argument, this is what they picture: 

In CMST 3 you will explore the limitations of this combative interpretation of argumentation and instead learn how to construct a full and complete argument and practice persuading others with it. 

We will explore debate and deliberation as communication methods to engage meaningfully with people holding diverse viewpoints. You will practice impromptu persuasive speaking and try out a format of academic debate. You will be expected to listen closely to the speeches and debates of your classmates, and you will be expected to respond, critically and constructively. You will begin to view argumentation not as one-way or small group communication, but as part of a larger, ongoing public dialogue. We will focus on ongoing public controversies and curious legal questions. Hopefully, your participation in this class will teach you something about your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. 

Partially online (or "hybrid") courses will be conducted paperlessly and online through Canvas, the learning management system for City College of San Francisco, and with a set number of in-person meetings each semester. The number of meetings will depend on the length of the course. 

In-person courses meet on campus at their regularly scheduled times, and classroom time is spent exploring the content together and holding debates. You will get a lot more exposure to your peers debating in the live classroom. In-person classes are almost paperless and use Canvas, the learning management system for City College of San Francisco to share and submit all assignments, communicate with the instructor outside of class, and get access to class slide decks and supplemental materials. 

You can review the CMST 3 syllabus for my hybrid-online Fall 2024 class for an example, and the Fall 2024 hybrid weekly schedule to see how the work flow evolves. The syllabus provides information about the course description, the course requirements, and some information about the learning management and technology we will use for the course. I will send an informational email to everyone who is registered just before classes start. You should receive information on how to log in from the Distance Education department directly. All of this information will be sent to your CCSF e-mail address so please be sure to check that e-mail regularly. 

Please contact me at the e-mail address shown on this page if you have any questions. If this class is full please contact me via e-mail (alitzky@ccsf.edu) to find out if there is enough space in the class for you to add.

If you want to see what an online class involves and whether you are prepared to take an online class go to: http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Distance_Education/self_eval.htm.