Example 4: Argumentation Theory

Learning objectives:

Disciplinary knowledge

• Explain the normative ideals that distinguish collective deliberation from other forms of communicative exchange.
• Analyse which empirical challenges may prevent a given forum from living up to the ideals of collective deliberation.
• Consider constructively what is required to ensure that the necessary empirical conditions for collective deliberation can be maintained.

Skills

• Be able to consider constructively what is required to ensure that the necessary empirical conditions for collective deliberation can be maintained.

Formally assessed activities:

Presentations:
The student must, in groups of approximately five, take part in at least two oral presentations within the course syllabus. For some of these presentations, the students will also be required to prepare written material.

Peer Review:
It is expected that all students actively participate in peer review of the course presentations and the written material.

Feedback:

The teaching is organised as a discussion of the topic of the lesson and the accompanying illustrative text. Each session thus provides an opportunity for direct questions and feedback from the lecturer.

Furthermore, on two occasions during the semester, the teaching focuses on student presentations of two sides of a contemporary debate. The first time, this takes the form of a written presentation; the second time, an oral one. Each student must contribute to at least one presentation, either as a presenter or as a feedback provider. In this way, students will have the opportunity to both give and receive peer feedback as part of these exercises.