DANBURY, CONN. — Experienced high school debaters and novices alike will get the chance to learn more about argument and persuasion at Western Connecticut State University this month.

The WCSU High School Debate Workshop will be from Monday, July 24, through Saturday, July 29, in Warner Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. The weekday sessions will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the students will participate in a mini debate tournament before their parents and guests from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 29. The cost is $100. Students can enroll through the first day of the workshop, and as many as 25 young people can participate. Students do not need to have experience in debate to attend.

Former high school policy debate state champion Randall Smith, who now coaches the debate team at Joel Barlow High School, and WestConn Associate Professor of History Dr. Martha May will lead the workshop.

“This will be an opportunity for students to participate in intensive and exciting sessions about debate and current events,” May said. “Novice debaters will get to develop their skills, and more experienced debaters can refine their abilities. Since so much of debate centers on policy issues, students who are interested in politics, international events, or contemporary culture should have fun with this, too.”

Several WestConn professors are slated to offer their perspectives on relevant issues throughout the daily sessions. Each session will be guided by a basic question every accomplished debater encounters, such as “Why debate? What is good debating?” and “What role does law play in debate?” In the morning, the students will listen to lectures and engage in discussions. In the afternoon, the debaters will put the lessons of the morning into action, participating in full practice rounds and critiques. The workshop will explore policy, Lincoln-Douglas and other forms of debate.

For more information, call May at (203) 837-8481 or the WestConn Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

VISITOR PARKING ADVISORY: Western Connecticut State University offers several convenient, centrally located parking spaces for visitors to the university’s Midtown and Westside campuses in Danbury. Midtown visitor parking is in the lot next to Old Main and in designated spaces next to University Hall. Parking in the university’s White Street garage is restricted to commuter students, faculty and staff from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; visitors are welcome to park in the garage all other times. Westside visitor parking is on University Boulevard. Visitors who cannot be accommodated in these parking areas are asked to call the University Police Department to make other arrangements. Up-to-date university parking rules and regulations, color-coded campus maps that show parking areas and shuttle bus stops, and shuttle bus schedules are available at www.wcsu.edu/parking. Call the University Police Department at (203) 837-9300 for more information about the parking rules and regulations.