Watch The Art of Debate
- TV-PG
- 2017
- 1 Season
The Art of Debate, a highly informative course from the Great Courses Signature Collection, showcases the many facets of the art of debate through the insightful teachings of Jarrod Atchison. Aimed at anyone seeking to improve their public speaking or debating skills or develop a greater appreciation for the art of rhetoric, this course provides an in-depth analysis of the rhetorical strategies and techniques underlying successful debates.
Atchison, a highly experienced speech and debate coach with nearly twenty years of experience in the field, is the perfect guide for this journey into the art of debate. His expertise and experience are on full display in this course, as he draws upon a broad range of historical and contemporary examples to illustrate the various strategies and techniques essential to successful debates.
The Art of Debate is structured as a comprehensive, 24-lecture course packed with insights and advice on how to be a more effective debater. Atchison begins the course by defining what exactly a debate is and the different types of debate one might encounter. He then proceeds to delve deeper into the essentials of argumentation, including logical fallacies, persuasion techniques, and the importance of evidence in constructing a compelling argument.
Throughout the course, Atchison employs a variety of teaching methods to help students learn and retain the material. For example, he frequently employs visual aids like PowerPoint presentations, charts, and diagrams to help illustrate his points. He also makes effective use of hypothetical debates and sample arguments to help students see how the techniques he teaches might be applied in practice.
In addition to presenting a broad range of conceptual material, Atchison also provides more practical advice on how to prepare for a debate. He offers tips on how to research potential arguments, develop a toolkit of persuasive strategies, practice public speaking, and sound credible and authoritative when making one's case.
Perhaps most importantly, Atchison emphasizes the importance of developing one's own style of debate that is true to one's personality and strengths. While there are certainly some universal principles of effective debate - such as employing evidence, being aware of logical fallacies, and structuring a convincing argument - he stresses that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to debate. Instead, he encourages students to experiment with various approaches and techniques to find what works best for them.
Overall, The Art of Debate is a highly engaging and informative course that offers a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of effective debate. Whether you're looking to improve your public speaking skills, develop a greater appreciation for the art of rhetoric, or simply better understand how debates are won and lost, this course is a must-watch. With Jarrod Atchison as your guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming a more effective debater in no time.
The Art of Debate is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between March 3, 2017 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection