"All the World is a (Debate) Stage": College Debates as a Form of Civic Engagement

This paper provides an overview of one campus program that utilizes Braver Angels debates. We begin with a brief review of literature supporting debate and civil dialogue as democracy-promoting practices. Next, we explain the specific characteristics of a Braver Angels debate. We then transition to how our campus got involved with Braver Angels debates and how we established the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) College Debates and Discourse (CD&D) Program. We elaborate on our program’s initiatives, approach, and objectives. We conclude by providing some preliminary quantitative and qualitative evidence for the CD&D Program’s effectiveness at VMI.