The Randolph-Macon College Franklin Debating Society will host the touring British debaters on November 17, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Washington Room, Washington-Franklin Hall (104 College Avenue). Sean Gordon ’19 and Caroline Kouneski ’19 will represent Randolph-Macon College. This event is free and open to the public. Map and Directions

This year’s guests are David Jones, a management major from Aberystwyth University in Wales, and James Baross, a physics major from Warwick University. The tour is sponsored by the National Communication Association (NCA) in the U.S. and the English Speaking Union (ESU) in the U.K.The topic of the debate is “Be It Resolved: Partisanship is Killing America.”

“The topic was chosen because Congress seems to have been frozen into inaction because of partisanship, something the tone of the just-over presidential election has probably exacerbated,” explains English and Communication Studies Professor Ted Sheckels, who coaches the Franklin Debating Society. “We’re hoping many students, faculty and staff attend. The debate is always lively, entertaining, and thought-provoking, and audience members are encouraged to participate.”

Second Debate on Saturday, November 19
This year there will be a second debate, on November 19 at 2:30 p.m. in the Washington Room, Washington-Franklin Hall.

“The Brits will be debating a team from Florida College, one of schools attending the College Forensics Association tournament, which we’re hosting the same weekend as the debates,” explains Sheckels. The topic is “Be It Resolved: All We are Saying is, Give Trump a Chance.” This year, as in the past, the debate is supported by a generous gift from the college’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter. This event is free and open to the public.

The Franklin Debating Society
Fostering the invaluable skills of public speaking and reasoned discourse, the Franklin Debating Society also gives students the opportunity to participate in lively debate competitions. Franklin Debating Society members compete intercollegiately in debate and a range of forensics activities. The Society annually hosts the touring British debaters as well as a 19th Century-style debating event.