Alternative Debate

San Jose State University COMM 40 Fall 2021 Sections 02 & 03

Kyle Johnson, Instructor Alternative Debate Assignment

1

Alternative Debate Assignment

Written Portion (Response paper & Introduction*): Nov. 18th uploaded to Canvas prior to class 30 pts. Ruptural Action & Introduction* Presentation: Nov. 18th & 23rd during class time 40 pts.

*The Introduction is part of both portions of the assignment, you will submit your introduction as part of the Written Portion (you may place the introduction within the response paper or in a separate document – please label the introduction where ever it may be placed to ensure you receive credit); every student must present their Introduction during class time on Tuesday or Thursday.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT Students will disregard the traditional framework of debate and instead examine ways to reclaim the rhetorical space for marginalized groups using any means they deem appropriate (so far as their choice is within the bounds of the Student Code of Conduct policy, https://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/docs/SJSU-Student-Conduct-Code-2016.pdf ). Students will discover the power their actions, voice, inactions and silence has upon the community in which they live. REQUIREMENTS 1. Students will decide upon an “action” in which they will engage. “Action” for our purposes will

mean any or multiple of the following: physical act, verbal performance, non-verbal manifestation, and choice (the act of choosing). Any “action” must be within the bounds of the Student Conduct Code. https://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/docs/SJSU-Student-Conduct- Code-2016.pdf

2. Students will capture the “action” and share this with the class according to the course schedule. Capture meaning, record the “action” and play for the class, perform the “action” for the class, or discuss the “action” with the class.

3. Craft an original introduction for your “action”; Introduction includes only the following and in this order: [Supporting statement cited with a signal phrase. Thesis statement. Title of “action”]. Be sure to refer to the Introduction handout found in the Alternative Debate Module.

4. Students will write a response paper about the experience and discuss how their “action” satisfies 4 of the 6 tenants of Ruptural Performance, as discussed by Perucci (please be sure to understand these concepts as described by Perucci opposed to accepted nomenclature). Ruptural Performances are:

a. Interruptive b. Becoming-events c. Confrontation d. Baffling and confounding e. Becoming-a-problem f. Give rise to the virtuosic multitude

5. The response paper should be long enough to discuss these tenants in detail and provide insight into the student’s “action.” Papers should be formatted according to APA guidelines and standards (if you have questions as to what APA entails please review the information found on the Purdue Owl writing lab, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html ).

Please see reverse side for Grading Criteria & Helpful Hints

San Jose State University COMM 40 Fall 2021 Sections 02 & 03

Kyle Johnson, Instructor Alternative Debate Assignment

2

CRITERIA FOR GRADING Total Points for the assignment will be weighted as follows:

1- Action: The actionable element or your Ruptural argument. This must be an action you could actually accomplish or based in reality (you are not required to literally accomplish this “action” but you should be able to do so). Students must demonstrate their “action” in one of the following ways:

a. Present a recording of their “action” during class on Nov. 18th & 23rd b. Perform their “action” during class on Nov. 18th & 23rd c. Document their “action” as part of the Response Paper.

40 pts.

2- Introduction: Students will provide an introduction for their “action” that will provide context of the audience about your argument. The “introduction” must include all of the following:

a. Supporting Statement this quote material should offer support for the Ruptural argument.

b. Title of your “action” and the Cite the author or source of your material used during the “action” (If you are using original material, please cite yourself as the author or creator).

c. Thesis or argument being communicated during the Ruptural “action.”

10 pts.

3- Response paper should discuss how the Ruptural “action” fulfills 4 of the 6 tenants of Ruptural Performance as discussed in Perucci’s article, The Poetics of Ruptural Performance (2017).

20 pts.

Total points 70 pts.

HELPFUL HINTS • The Ruptural “action” should be material you are passionate about, have a deep connection to,

or you are already familiar. • Talk to me about the assignment during office during office if you are unsure of the type of

argument you should use or selecting material for the “action.” • Perform or present the “action” for me during office hours. • Think about how the material reflects you and the identity and why. Is this the identity you

want to perform? • Take risks. The bigger the performance risk the bigger the reward will be for both you and the

class.