Description
Book SynopsisHere is the story of the process by which competitive speech and debate evolved in the United States during the 20th Century. This authoritative history shows how forensics, as practiced in the United States, was an uneasy fusion of contradictory premises that began as a significant part of the tradition of American public address: The need for preparing students to participate in democratic governance in conflict with a student's need to express personal and competitive impulses. Forensics represented a push and pull between an activity simultaneously considered to be both a public and a private good. The book:identifies the themes and trends of American forensics within an overarching chronological framework; reveals the impact of American forensics on the communication discipline, as well as America's social and educational systems; concentrates on the elements of social history that contributed to organizational development, leadership, and politics; and, provides a base line refle
Trade ReviewThrough an examination of written histories and other materials, communication scholars Michael Bartanen and Robert Littlefield deliver the first historical account of the evolution of forensics in the US. The authors identify the systemic variables affecting this evolution, including the cultural dimensions of forensics activities. In part 1, they trace the historical context of the practice of forensics from the era of public oratory through the era of technology. In part 2, they address the pedagogical growth and development of competitive forensics. And in the third and last part, they focus on the sociocultural dimensions of the field. In a particularly compelling chapter, the authors discuss "absent histories" and offer a holistic understanding of African American participation in forensics in the US. The helpful tables the authors provide allow readers to more easily comprehend dense and complicated material. As the first work to trace how forensics undergirds the tradition of American public address, this book is an invaluable resource. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. * CHOICE *
Forensics in America should be in every department library, on every professor’s bookshelf, and in every student competitor's backpack. -- James Copeland, Executive Director-Emeritus, National Forensic League
The authors are the experts in the field. They develop a coherent and important argument. This is the first comprehensive history of American forensics and I predict it will stand as the history of forensics for the next 100 years. -- David A. Frank, Professor of Rhetoric, University of Oregon
Forensics in America: A History does an excellent job of starting at the formation of forensics and describes its growth and role in America. It also explains the link between forensics and the formation of communication departments and forensic organizations. -- Gina Jensen, Assistant Director of Forensics and Debate, Webster University
The history is vital to the activity, but much of what is known, especially what is known to younger coaches/directors is myth - passed on because one person five years ago did something. This history clears up many of the myths. The major strength of this book includes the research and the explanations. Forensics in America is very clear and follows a logical progression. If you are interested in learning about the history of forensic activity, or teaching it, this book is a necessary component. -- Nina-Jo Moore, Professor of Communication, Appalachian State University
Table of ContentsTable of Contents List of Tables Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Study of American Forensics In the 20th Century The Importance of Historical-Critical Research in Forensics The Broad Outline of a Historical Study of American Forensics The Focus of This Text and Assumptions Guiding Our Analysis Forensics is Epistemic Forensics is Rhetorical Combining the Epistemic and Rhetorical Assumptions and Themes of this Analysis Theme One: The History of American Forensics Theme Two: The Relationship between Collegiate and High School Forensics Theme Three: Forensics as a Promise and Consequence of American Education Theme Four: Forensics as a Resilient and Enduring Education Form Theme Five: The Relationship between Forensics and the Communication Discipline The Plan of the Book References Part I: The Historical Context of Forensics Practice Chapter 2: The Public Oratory Era Forensics in the Pre-Competitive Era Early Debating The Literary Society The Social and Historical Forces Shaping American Life and Education A Brief Overview of the Public Oratory Era The Progressive Era Voluntary Associations for Civic Engagement The Role of Education in Citizenship Training The Influence of Higher Education on the Growth of Forensics The Characteristics of the Public Oratory Era of Forensics The Role of Students The Prominence Afforded by Forensics Participation Forensics and the Local Community Audience-Centered Focus The Emergence of Organizational Structures The Nature of Forensics Practice in the Public Oratory Era The Emergence of Forensics Models The Consolidation of Forensics Practices Conclusion References Chapter 3: The Technical Era The Changing University: Science, Technology, and Government Intervention Changes in the Student Body Makeup Growth in Graduate Education Government Involvement in Educational Policy The Uneasy Relationship between Practicality and Intellectualism Forensics Practice in the Two Periods of the Technical Era Trends During the Technical Era Competitive Emphasis Replaced the Educational Emphasis Forensics as a Private Good Replacing Forensics as a Public Good Invention and Style Dominate Competitive Forensics Effects of the Shift to the Technical Era Fractionalization of Shared Norms and Values Marginalization within the Academic Community andthe Communication Discipline Conclusion References Chapter 4: Organizational Structures and their Influence on Forensics Practice The Role of Honorary Societies in Organizing Forensics The Importance of Social and Fraternal Organizations as an Organizing Model Delta Sigma Rho Tau Kappa Alpha Pi Kappa Delta Development of Regional Units Introduction of the Tournament Format A National Resolution for Debate The Role of Honorary Organizations in Promoting Forensics Scholarship An Overview of Scholarship about Forensics Education versus Competition The Influence of Organizational Philosophies Philosophical versus Practical Centrality to the Discipline Shift from Community to Individual Implications of Forensics Scholarhsip An Analysis of Forensics Organizational Typology and Behavior Transition from Introversion to Extroversion Changes in Higher Education The Effects of Competition Organizational Turmoil during the Technical Era Selection of the Recognition of Communist China Debate Topic The Emergence of National Championships in Individual Speaking The Zero-Sum Competitive Environment Significant Examples of Extroverted-Expansive Forensics Organizations The Rise of Specialization The Emergence of New Debate Organizations Conclusion References Part II: The Tensions Shaping the Evolution of Forensics Chapter 5: Tensions that Shaped the Evolution of Forensics The Population of the Forensics Community The Inherency of Competition in Forensics Debating Both Sides of the Resolution Decision versus No-Decision Debating Audience and Lay Judges versus Expert Critic Judging The Introduction of the Tournament The North Central Association Threat Summary Impacts and Implications of Competition Student Interest A Split in the Ranks Forensics Scholarship Competition Led to Specialization Conclusion References Chapter 6: Departmental and Disciplinary Tensions Shaping Forensics Academic Debate and the Emergence of Speech as a Discipline The Foundations of the Speech Discipline The Influence of Student Interest Motivation for the Separation of Speech from English Perceived inferiority Public demand Disciplinary marginalization The Formation of the National Association of Teachers of Public Speaking The Marginalization of Forensics Summary The Discussion Movement’s Impact on Debate Background on the Discussion Movement The Trojan Horse of Citizenship Training Debate vs. Discussion as Preparation for Civic Engagement Supremacy versus Co-existence Impact on Forensics Summary Conclusion References Chapter 7: High School Forensics: The Growth and Development of Competitive ForensicsThe Influence of Adult Education Movements on Forensics Lyceums Chautauqua Programming The Extension Movement Efforts to Serve Rural America University Extension Efforts The Emergence of Statewide Competitive Forensics Activities Texas - A Representative Example Triangulation National Federation of High Schools Activities Associations The National Forensic League Brief Early History Aims of the NFL Features of the NFL Democratic participation Focus on the public NFL’s Impact on High School Forensics The Impetus for the National Catholic Forensic League The Impacts of the National High School Leagues The Impact of Collegiate Forensics The National Federation of High School Activities Associations Additional Quasi-Competitive Opportunities Conclusion References Part III: Socio-Cultural Dimensions Contributing to the Evolution of Forensics Chapter 8: The Social Dimensions of Forensics The Justificatory Overemphasis on Intellectual Benefits of Forensics Training Forensics as Play Play is Self-Chosen and Self-Directed Play is Activity where Means are More Valued than Ends Play has Rules not Dictated by Necessity but Emanating from the Participants Play is Imaginative, Non-literal, and Mentally Removed from “Real” Life Play involves an Active, Alert, but Non-stressed Frame of Mind Three Dimensions of Forensics as Play Simulation Socialization Community and Conversation Creation of Social Capital During the Public Oratory Era The Role of Students A Position of Celebrity An Emphasis on Local Prominence A Focus on the Audience Creation of Social Capital During the Technical Era The Fun of Critical Thinking Toulmin’s Model The Changing Nature of Forensics as Fun The Downside of Forensics as Play Conclusion References Chapter 9: “The Other” in Forensics: The African American Experience The Exclusion of African Americans The African American Educational Experience The African American Forensic Experience Literary Societies Intercollegiate Debate Forensics in the Public Oratory Era Characteristics of forensics at non-HBCUs Characteristics of forensics at HBCUs Summary Forensics in the Scientific/Technical Era Characteristics of forensics at non-HBCUs Characteristics of forensics at HBCUs Urban Debate Leagues The Activity Kritik Summary Reflections on Forensics and the Other Conclusion References Chapter 10: The “Other” Sex: Women and the Forensics Experience Women and the Forensic Community Context for the Education of Women Exclusion of Girls and Women Limited Educational Opportunities Segregated colleges developed to Teach Women General Treatment of Women in Higher Education Brief Chronology of Women’s Entry into Forensics Barriers for Women in Forensics Separate contests for Wen and Women The Value of Women in Forensics was Misplaced The Perceived Limited Capacity of Women Illegitimacy of Women as High-level Competitors The Perceived Sexual Vulnerability of Women Perceived Role for Women in policymaking orLeadership Positions Conclusion References Chapter 11: Reflections on a Century of Forensics in America The Social Construction of Forensics Critical Stance Toward Existing Order Influence of History and Culture The Act of Communication The Mix of Knowledge and Social Interaction A Post-Modern Era? Multiple Frameworks A Decline in the Number of Career Professionals Impact of New Technologies Summary The Epistemic Nature of Forensics References
