Contact: bgeraty@andrews.edu
Website:
Phone:
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m., there will be a mock presidential debate in the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. Community members are welcome to attend. Debate organizers hope to promote civic engagement. They believe that increasing the number of voters—particularly informed voters—is essential for a healthy democracy.
Viewers will get an up-close look at the policies and arguments favoring the candidacies of Barack Obama (D) and John McCain (R). Two teams of 7–8 Andrews University students will be articulating the positions of candidates during three segments: one addressing foreign policy and national security; and the other two addressing domestic policy. Approximately half of the debate participants are pre-law students; the other half represent a wide variety of disciplines across campus.
“Participation in mock presidential debates is valuable for a number of reasons. Debaters gain the experience of doing research, marshalling voluminous material into manageable pieces and crafting succinct arguments,” says Brent Geraty, assistant professor of legal studies. “Debaters are forced to use all their thinking and communication skills and use them under pressure. For tomorrow’s leaders, it’s important to prepare today!”