Third International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment  THINKING AND SPEAKING A BETTER WORLD

October 22, 23, 24, 2010, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, Slovenia

Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, Slovenia (Oddelek za filozofijo, Filozofska fakulteta, Univerza v Mariboru, Slovenija), World Debate Institute (University of Vermont USA) and ZIP (Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga/Pro et contra Institute for culture of dialogue Slovenia) invite all scholars and practitioners of argumentation, rhetoric, debate, and educators using deliberative education methodologies to the Third International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment -- THINKING AND SPEAKING A BETTER WORLD.

The conference will welcome scholars and educators from diverse fields for vigorous dialogue and exchange.  This conference will unite scholars of argumentation and rhetoric, teachers, and organizers of local, national and international debating networks to discuss critical thinking and advocacy discourse through pedagogy.  We intend for the conference to welcome all who are involved in public discussions and debates about different issues.

This conference is extremely timely.  A global information society which seeks reasoned solutions to problems through broad citizen involvement needs to develop and refine techniques for criticizing and validating ideas through discourse and then impart these to new generations of citizens if we are to create a better future and avoid looming crises.  This conference represents a unique opportunity to share ideas, network and cross-fertilize with global critical thinkers.

The program for the conference will have three themes.  Submissions are encouraged to center their work on one of the three themes and to submit proposals to the appropriate conference division.  Interdisciplinary work that might fit into more than one category is very welcome.

• Argumentation and rhetoric. The use of logic and reason to criticize and analyze ideas through communication. Those interested in research on argumentation theory, criticisms of communication acts and scholarship on argumentation practice are encouraged to submit to this division.
• Debate. The use of formal argumentation forums to educate and empower citizens. Those interested in work on the practice and theory of debate competition, public debates, research on the impact of debate for participants, and theorizing about debate paradigms are encouraged to submit to this division.
• Critical thinking/pedagogy. Teaching and the methodology of teaching in the active classroom. Those interested in using debate, discussion and argumentation in classrooms, discussion of experiences and teaching lessons relating to communication and critical thinking are encouraged to submit to this division.

A committee of conference organizers and scholars will examine submissions to each division.  Abstracts should be less than 250 words, papers can use MLA (footnotes) or APA (references) style.

♣Argumentation: David Williams USA, Frans van Eemeren Netherlands, Danilo Šuster Slovenia, email: dcwill@fau.edu

♣Debate: Stephen Boyle Ireland, Maja Nenadović Hungary-Croatia, Peejay Garcia Korea-Philippines, email: stephenboyle87@GMAIL.COM

♣Pedagogy: Alfred Snider USA, Debbie Newman UK, Loke Wing Fatt Singapore, email: Alfred.Snider@uvm.edu

Deadlines:

Rolling admission as proposals come in.

Assemble program 1 September 2010

Late additions 1 October 2010

Electronic version of paper due 15 October 2010

Keynote Speakers:

Argumentation - Rastko Mocnik, University of Ljubljana

Debate - Sam Greenland, Australia

Pedagogy - Debbie Newman, UK

Registration:

Fill out the application form http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld2010application.doc and send it to - debata@siol.net 

Fee for attendees 120 Euros,  student price 80 Euros

Includes lunch, banquet dinner, reception, grab bag, conference booklet, and coffee breaks.

Please register and pay by 15 September 2010 or pay in cash on arrival.

Those wishing to attend the conference without submitting a paper are very welcome but must register.

Organizing committee:

Bojana Skrt, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga, Slovenia

Alfred C. Snider, World Debate Institute, University of Vermont, USA,

Boris Vezjak, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, Slovenia

More about Maribor, www.maribor.si

More about University of Maribor, www.uni-mb.si

More about Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga Slovenija, www.zainproti.com

Website: http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/better/Welcome.html

Blogsite for latest news: http://betterworldconference.blogspot.com/