Objective
The main goal of the course is to provide instruction and practice in order to help participants develop important life skills.
These include cognitive skills such as analytical thinking, critical thinking and logic; and rhetorical skills such as self-expression, use of language, message conveyance and presentation.
The secondary goal is to build a debate team that will represent Weizmann institute in the academic debating league, domestically and abroad.
Course Requirements:
- Every meeting will include a short lesson, a British Parliamentary Debate and constructive feedback.
- This course requires consistent participation of every student. We expect each participant to take an active part in every meeting,
- Moreover, every participant should not be absent more than three times during the semester.
The Coaches:
Alon Cohen is the director of the Cohen-Idov Center for Debate & Rhetoric, Alon has been coaching Israel's national debating high-school team, He's been coaching debate at universities and lecturing in organizations, NGO's and teaches seminars in the last six years. Former Debating champion in the Israel's national championship in Hebrew and English.
Stav Singer is the 2015 European Universities Debating Champion. She has won multiple competitions including Israel's national championship. In the last five years, Stav has been the project manager in The Cohen-Idov center, developing and leading multiple programs for high schools, universities and executive training. Moreover, Stav is a popular Debate coach and judge, regularly invited to adjudicate competitions and seminars abroad.
Guest Lectures:
Yoni Cohen-Idov is an Israeli-American debater, journalist, speaker and consultant. Cohen-Idov was the 2010 World Universities Debating Champion (ESL), 2009 European Universities Debating Championship Runner-Up (Main Category) And Top Speaker (ESL).
In 2010, Cohen-Idov spearheaded a national initiative to promote debate education in Israel’s public schools, in collaboration with the ministry of education. The program aimed to promote critical thinking, civil discourse, tolerance and understanding in the country.
Since 2012, Cohen-Idov has taught, trained and consulted organizations and individuals on message conveyance, adapting his debate-based methods to the business and public spheres. Cohen-Idov has worked with some notable Israeli and American politicians, as well as business figures and organizations.
Cohen-Idov is the founder of the Cohen-Idov Center for Debate and Rhetoric.
Maya Kindler is a senior debate coach and an acting instructor. Kinder has graduated the Nisan Nativ studio for acting with distinction. She has then developed her acting career performing in plays in Israel and abroad. As a debater, she has reached the finals of the Israeli national championship. In recent years, she has trained students, lawyers and adults in the art of public speaking.
Syllabus
12.11 Festive course introduction: Debate exhibition and an open lecture: Yoni Cohen Idov, World Debate Champion: How to find the most important and relevant arguments & How to pitch your idea in a minute. NOTE UNUSUAL LOCATION: Benoziyo Biochemistry Bldg, 1st floor conference room
19.11 Speech structure, Developing arguments and the rules of British Parliamentary debating. First debate exercise.
26.11 Do's and Dont's in public speaking, guest lecturer: Maya Kindler, Professional actress and performer, National Israeli championship runner up.
3.12 Rebuttals: A systematic model explains how to answer every argument.
10.12 Developing arguments II – the chain of causation: How to create a coherent argument without flaws.
17.12 The debate equation: Every debate and discussion boils down to three main questions. How to set an equation using those factors.
24.12 Summaries and extensions: How to summarize speeches and prepare a solid case from the second house.
31.12 Story-telling: Painting an image in order to illustrate your point.
7.1 Developing arguments III: How to find multiple explanations to establish a point.
14.1 Moral arguments and how to develop them.
21.1 Real time debate: Simulation.
28.1 Two rounds – preparation to upcoming events.
18.3 Two rounds – preparation to upcoming events.
25.3 Conclusion of the course. A show debate.