By Laurie Merrill
GCU News Bureau
One of Grand Canyon University’s most successful teams uses words and rapid comprehension instead of balls, bats or rackets.
The Speech and Debate team, enjoying its strongest season to date, has scheduled a “Current Hot Topics Discussions” town hall-style debate for 6 p.m. Wednesday in Ethington Theatre.
The community is invited to attend any or all of what is expected to be a fast-paced, competitive battle of the wits, knowledge and nerves.
“We want to showcase some of the topics that have been in discussion throughout our tournaments,” said Forensics Director Michael Dvorak, a College of Humanities and Social Sciences instructor. “We want to show that we can respond to political questions in a short time without significant prior preparation.”
Four GCU debate students will assume the role of the leader of a political party -- but not of a specific person. Moderators will pose questions based on pressing political topics, Dvorak said.
“Some of the areas we are discussion will be Medicare, Social Security, net neutrality and several topics within the National Football League,” Dvorak said.
Dvorak said he solicited questions from students across campus.
“The debate will allow the student body to become more engaged and knowledgeable about current events while also letting them experience what the political parties feel about those events,” he said.
Debate typically requires competitors to be well-informed on a range of domestic and international issues and political, social, legal and economic topics. They often reach speeds of 300 words a minute.
Contact Laurie Merrill at (602) 639-6511 or [email protected].
