Program implementation and preliminary evidence highlight the role of debate in enhancing civic engagement and democracy.
This paper provides an overview of one campus program that utilizes Braver Angels debates. We begin with a brief review of literature supporting debate and civil dialogue as democracy-promoting practices. Next, we explain the specific characteristics of a Braver Angels debate. We then transition to how our campus got involved with Braver Angels debates and how we established the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) College Debates and Discourse (CD&D) Program. We elaborate on our program’s initiatives, approach, and objectives. We conclude by providing some preliminary quantitative and qualitative evidence for the CD&D Program’s effectiveness at VMI.
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