LINGUIST List 17.1435

Tue May 09 2006

Confs: General Ling/Koper, Slovenia

Editor for this issue: Kevin Burrows <kevinlinguistlist.org>

Directory         1.    Igor Z. Zagar, International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment
Message 1: International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment
Date: 08-May-2006
From: Igor Z. Zagar <igor.zagarguest.arnes.si>
Subject: International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment



International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment

Date: 24-Nov-2006 - 26-Nov-2011 Location: Koper, Slovenia Contact: Bojana Skrt Contact Email: < click here to access email > Meeting URL: http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm

Linguistic Field(s): General Linguistics

Meeting Description:

International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment,THINKING AND SPEAKING A BETTER WORLD,24-26 November 2006, Koper, Slovenia.

The conference will welcome scholars and educators from diverse fields for vigorous dialogue and exchange. This conference will unite scholars of argumentation and rhetoric, teachers, and organizers of local, national and international debating networks to discuss critical thinking and advocacy discourse through pedagogy.


The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Primorska and the Educational Research Institute, Slovenia, the World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont, USA, the National Education Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and ZIP, Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga/ Pro et contra (Institute for culture of dialogue Slovenia), invite all scholars of argumentation, rhetoric, debate, and educators using deliberative education methodologies to the International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment.

This conference is extremely timely. A global information society which seeks reasoned solutions to problems through broad citizen involvement needs to develop and refine techniques for criticizing and validating ideas through discourse and then impart these to new generations of citizens if we are to create a better future and avoid looming crises. This conference represents a unique opportunity to share ideas, network and cross-fertilize with global critical thinkers.

The conference will generate a proceedings volume that will be provided to all attendees within six months of the completion of the conference. Submissions will be selected from the papers available at the date of the conference.

The program for the conference will have three themes. Submissions are encouraged to center their work on one of the three themes and to submit proposals to the appropriate conference division. Interdisciplinary work is welcome.

-Argumentation and rhetoric: The use of logic and reason to criticize and analyze ideas through communication. Those interested in research on argumentation theory, criticisms of communication acts and scholarship on argumentation practice are encouraged to submit to this division.

-Debate: The use of formal argumentation forums to educate and empower citizens. Those interested in work on the practice and theory of debate competition, public debates, research on the impact of debate for participants, and theorizing about debate paradigms are encouraged to submit to this division.

-Critical thinking/pedagogy: Teaching and the methodology of teaching in the active classrooms. Those interested in using debate and argumentation in classrooms, discussion of experiences and teaching lessons relating to communication and critical thinking are encouraged to submit to this division.

If your proposal doesn't fit into these categories don't worry! Send your idea to us and we'll figure out where it goes. If you aren't sure which division you belong in, send your proposal to alfred.snidersiol.net .

Koper is a beautiful old town at the Adriatic coast, one hour from the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, and two hours from Venice, Italy and half an hour from the Croatian border. Low cost flights from within Europe are available to Ljubljana and Trieste with connecting short train and bus rides to Koper. We recommend that participants from overseas check the option of flying to Venice. This would allow for an exciting tourist opportunity to be part of your trip. There are regular train connections between Venice and Trieste and a bus connection to Koper. We will also organize vans for pickup in Venice and then bring you to Koper if you register and pay a modest fee.

Organizing committee: Bojana Skrt, Za in proti, Zavod za kulturo dialoga, Slovenia; Alfred C. Snider, World Debate Institute at University of Vermont, USA; Igor Z. Zagar, Educational Research Institute and University of Primorska, Slovenia.

For more information, see our website at: http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm