GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

This working document serves as a guideline for the administration of the Forensics squad, we want to offer the highest quality introduction to competitive forensics possible. It is our belief that a combination of practices, forensics tournaments, and peer learning gives students the best opportunity to make progress towards improving their knowledge, speaking skills, and to achieve excellence as producers/consumers of information.

The competitive forensics program centers itself around three principles. An explanation of each follows:

Ethics: Ethics are more central to public speaking than just the fact that a speech is a morally charged entity. Ron Arnett writes in his book Dialogic Education, that communication ethics are the foundation of the communication discipline. Communication ethics are a practical philosophy characterized by a concern for the common good, emphasis on practicing virtuous behaviors, and worked out in specific contexts. This philosophy should guide all that we do as forensics competitors, serving as the guideline for our actions. Plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication of any materials will not be tolerated.

Effectiveness: All the traditional elements of persuasion and public speaking are designed to help students increase their effectiveness of their presentations. The goal of the MSSU forensics squad is to help guide students'choices to maximize learning.

Enjoyment: Competing at the collegiate level should never be without enjoyment. AS the Director of Forensics, my philosophy is to encourage discovery, learning, and a community. I believe it is possible to maximize learning and be very successful at the national level.

 

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