Students are able to understand and apply key questions and theories of argumentation theory and rhetoric, as well as identify errors in argumentation; they are familiar with theories and practices of legal and philosophical argumentation, as well as with the ethical foundations of democratic debate culture. They are also able to relate what they have learned to current social, political, and legal developments.

This course covers techniques and rules of philosophical and legal argumentation and teaches the ethical foundations of democratic debate culture, including insights into the field of intercultural dialogue.

Following the theoretical introduction the course will focus on the practical discussion of relevant topics.     

Presentations (including guest speakers), discussion, exercises, reading, film screening.  

active participation (individual/group work)
assessment/grade: successfully completed/unsuccessfully completed 

Detjen, J.: Demokratische Streitkultur in Zeiten politischer Polarisierung (Nomos 2023)

Frick, M.-L.: Zivilisiert streiten. Zur Ethik der politischen Gegnerschaft (Reclam 2017)

Gamper, A.: Das Argument der letzten Instanz, Wien (Verlag Österreich 2023)

Kienpointner, M.: Vernünftig argumentieren. Regeln und Techniken der Diskussion (Rowohlt 1996)

Pfister, J.: Kritisches Denken (Reclam 2020)

Assessment only with “participated with/without success”; no grading system.