Comparative Politics Students Compete in Debate Thursday

Students in "Introduction to Comparative Politics" class will conduct a public debate, part of a fictitious political campaign staged in the imagined country of West Europa, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, in the Kennedy Science Auditorium. Organized into six political parties, students have written party platforms, devised campaign strategies, produced original campaign ads and prepared public statements. Featured parties include the Conservative Revolutionist Party, New Workers' Party, Progressive Economic Party, Green Party, United Socialist Party and Cultural Preservation Party. This is the fourth year that Assistant Professor of Government Sharon Rivera has organized this debate and competition.

Each party will present a one-minute ad during the debate as party leaders compete for audience support. The leaders will debate three sets of issues: economic policy, social policy and foreign policy.

At the conclusion of the debate, a panel of expert judges will decide on a winner based on the content and delivery of the presentations. The judges include Professor of Communication Catherine Phelan, Visiting Assistant Professor of Government Shelley McConnell, Visiting Assistant Professor of Government, Ntokozo Xaba '08 and Oral Communication Lab Peer Tutor David R. Foster '10.

Sponsored by the government department, the event is free and open to the public.
 
- Robert Edward Healy, III