James Farmer & the Great Debaters

Our seminar will:

· utilize active, discussion-based, participatory learning;

· be exploratory in nature, rather than just presenting established conclusions;

· have you read primary sources, not simply textbooks;

· introduce you to appropriate research and information retrieval techniques;

· use writing and speaking as tools for the exploration and expression of ideas and arguments;

· have you synthesize material from multiple sources to develop your own views on the topic of James Farmer and the Great Debaters.

The University of Mary Washington believes that first year seminars offer students the best of the higher education academic experience insofar as they represent a genuine opportunity to motivate you to seek and contribute to the meaningful creation of knowledge. Our objective is to cultivate the intellectual skills necessary for liberal learning through the in-depth study of James Farmer, the rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement and the antecedents to the major motion picture “The Great Debaters.” Along the way, we will examine such topics as how to gather and analyze information for the purpose of formulating and defending an opinion. Our efforts will involve meaningful writing and speaking assignments in which you are given instruction and guidance on writing and speaking at the college level. Consequently, we will begin each class with a topically focused 15 minutes of instruction on topics derived from the above goals. Topics will include: