News Release: Presidential Debate Watch to be hosted by the Madison Debate Society

The Madison Debate Society will hold a Presidential Debate Watch this Monday, October 22, at 9:00 pm in Harrison 1261. This is the fourth debate watch of the cycle. The Madison Debate Society held debate watches for the last two presidential debates and the vice presidential debate over the past month, with attendance averaging 100-115 students, according to faculty advisor Aaron Noland.

The Debate Watch consists of a group viewing of the Presidential Debate and a post-debate discussion. “We think that civil debate and deliberation is crucial to our society, ” said Noland, “If we can get students engaged in the issues that are impacting the country and the world, we feel like we are achieving the central mission of this university to help foster engaged citizens. It is also an opportunity for students to see and apply many of the concepts they learn about throughout their JMU coursework. Watching the debates and the subsequent discussion is a crucial learning experience for students at JMU.”

The School of Communication Studies is part of the College of Arts and Letters at James Madison University. Their mission is the teaching of communication theory and criticism, the development of communication and advocacy skills, the research of communication processes and practices, and the application of generated knowledge about human communication toward the betterment of self and community. Visit http://www.jmu.edu/commstudies for more information.