Navigating Opportunity: Policy Debate in the 21st Century

Navigating Opportunity grows out of the 3rd National Developmental Conference on Debate, held at Wake Forest University in June 2009. It represents a commanding account of the state of policy debate in the United States. The book presents researched discussions compiled by ten working groups as well as twelve original essays examining where debate is moving, from international debate opportunities to pedagogical innovations. The volume also features a provocative keynote by William Keith, author of the award-winning Democracy as Discussion, and extensive guides to published and web-based research. The major topics addressed include: Framing Policy Debate in the 21st Century; Professional Development, Research, and Advancement; Innovation and Best Practices; Community and Organization Building; Agenda for Policy Debate in the 21st Century; Openings for Debate Programs; Pedagogical Innovations; and International Debate Opportunities.

Allan Louden is director of graduate studies in the department of communication at Wake Forest University. He has served as the president of the American Forensics Association, is a member of the Board of Trustees for the National Debate Tournament, and directed the Wake Forest Intercollegiate Debate program.