The Colgate Speaking Union (CSU) hosts the Agora--a site of discussion, critical dialogue, debate, and public speaking open to all Colgate University students wishing to practice and improve their oral communication. The Agora also offers opportunities to develop further insight into the deeply cultured rationales of the spoken word's performance and the variety of well-considered aims it may serve.
The Agora affords six modes of oral communication Praxis:
Praxis 1: Prepared Debate/Dialogue
A new proposition will be scheduled each week. Students may bring a partner to the CSU Agora and debate (present 7-minute opposed persuasive speeches), or engage in a Socratic-type dialogue through a dialectical process of question & answer. The propositions for these exercises will be scheduled and posted on a link from this page in advance so students can research their topics. Participants may also frame their own propositions to research, debate, and critically question.
Praxis 2: Impromptu Debate/Dialogue
Daily propositions will be available for student pairs wishing to engage impromptu debate/dialogue. Students may also frame their own propositions for impromptu debate/dialogue.
Praxis 3: Consensus-Building Discussions
Students may assemble in pairs or groups of 3-7 to discuss a question or problem brought by the pair or group for its consideration. These discussions may be loosely moderated, and all participants may register, revise, and develop their standpoints during the course of the discussion. These discussions are not a site of pre-positioned advocacy. Rather, they are designed to enable positions to emerge through well-formed, fair, and open discussion. Participants are expected to come to the discussion with open minds, seeking conversationally-engendered answers to provocative and timely questions or vexing problems.
Praxis 4: Public Speaking
Students may practice their public speaking in the Aristotelian genres of forensic (legal argumentation), epideictic (ceremonial address), and deliberative rhetoric. Participants may also practice demonstrative/informative public speaking, and public speech aiming to entertain. Speeches may be impromptu, extemporaneous, or delivered from manuscripts.
Praxis 5: Oral Communication Activities
Students may use the CSU Agora to practice and prepare for participation in Colgate Speaking Union-sponsored events (e.g. public speaking contests, debate tournaments, etc.) and other extracurricular oral communication activities such as meetings, panel discussions, research presentations, or keynoting/emceeing public events.
Praxis 6: British Parliamentary Debate
Students may also use the CSU Agora to engage team debating according to the rules of the World Universities Debating Council (WUDC). These debates will follow the British Parliamentary Debate format and will be judged in accord with WUDC rubrics.
Scheduling a Praxis Session
Praxes 1-5 may consist of up to one-hour sessions. Praxis 6 may consist of up to two-hour sessions. It is expected that Praxes will be recorded for review. Also, when appropriate, feedback will be provided by the CSU Coordinator.
The CSU Agora will usually be open Monday-Wednesday from 3:00-7:00. Students may schedule times and dates for Agora sessions by first visiting the Agora Scheduling Calendar, finding an open session, and emailing a session request to John Adams, Coordinator, Colgate Speaking Union, Lathrop 151. Session requests should be sent at least one day in advance of your proposed Agora session. Session requests must specify your selected Praxis (1-6) and the date and time of your requested session. You will receive an email reply confirming your session request.
• Agora Scheduling Calendar •