07/08/2024

2025 ECA Convention Call for Submissions: Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group

116^th Eastern Communication Association Convention
Call for Submissions: Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group

 

Convention Theme: “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions”
Date: March 26-March 30, 2025
Location: Hyatt Regency, Buffalo, NY
Submission Deadline: October 16, 2024, 11:59pm PST

The Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA) invites you to submit individual completed competitive papers as well as panel, debate, and roundtable discussion proposals, for the 116th Annual ECA Convention to be held March 26-30 at the Hyatt Regency in Buffalo, NY. The submission deadline is October 16, 2024, 11:59pm PST.

The Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group welcomes submissions covering all topics relevant to the scholarship, teaching, and practice of argumentation, debate, and forensics. The interest group encourages a broad view of topics relevant to studying the rational, dialectical, and/or rhetorical dynamics of argumentation in relation to their contexts of use. All methodologies, philosophies, modalities, and theoretical perspectives are welcome. In addition to subjects relevant to teaching and coaching in competitive debate and forensics, we also welcome submissions which address the role of argumentation on the contemporary political landscape, including but not limited to activism, protest, political campaigns, and political debates.

We especially encourage submissions that are relevant to the theme of the 2025 convention: “Contemporary Problems, Creative Solutions.” Argumentation scholars and practitioners are well-positioned to offer theoretical and practical insights to address contemporary problems in an ever-changing and uncertain world. We encourage submissions to interrogate the following:

• How can argumentation scholarship, teaching, and practice provide creative solutions to contemporary societal, environmental, geopolitical, technological, and economic problems?
• How can we best prepare students to address these contemporary problems with creative solutions?
• How can we extend argumentation scholarship, teaching, and practice to settings and situations outside our traditional contexts?

How to Submit Your Work to Argumentation and Forensics

All submissions should be made through Attendee Interactive (https://ww4.aievolution.com/eca2501/). Submission guidelines are as follows:

Individual submissions of complete competitive papers should include the following elements:

1. The word “Debut” marked on all papers written by authors who have not presented previously at a regional or national
2. A one-page abstract.
3. Any Scheduling Requests: The Program Planner will work to accommodate scheduling requests, but it is not guaranteed that your request will be met.
4. The ECA Statement of professional responsibility (see below).

Submission of program/panel proposals should include the following elements:

1. A thematic title for the
2. Names of the chair and respondents (if any). Chairs should not also be designated as
3. Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and institutional affiliations of all
4. Titles and abstracts for each paper or
5. A program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final
6. A detailed rationale for the program/panel.
7. Any Scheduling Requests: The Program Planner will work to accommodate scheduling requests, but it is not guaranteed that your request will be met.
8. The ECA Statement of professional responsibility (see below).

Submission of Roundtable proposals should include the following elements:

1. A thematic title for the
2. Names of the chair and respondents (if any). Chairs should not also be designated as
3. Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and institutional affiliations of all
4. A program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final
5. A detailed rationale for the
6. Target Audience.
7. Supporting Document(s): Purpose of the roundtable (program copy), agenda for roundtable, and invitation for audience participation.
8. Any Scheduling Requests: The Program Planner will work to accommodate scheduling requests, but it is not guaranteed that your request will be met.
9. The ECA Statement of professional responsibility (see below).

Submission of Debate proposals should include the following elements:

1. A thematic title for the
2. Name of the debate moderator.
3. Names, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and institutional affiliations of all
4. A program copy (no more than a 75-word description) as it should appear in the final
5. A detailed rationale for the Please include a description of the debate format.
6. Target Audience.
7. Any Scheduling Requests: The Program Planner will work to accommodate scheduling requests, but it is not guaranteed that your request will be met.
8. The ECA Statement of professional responsibility (see below).

Statement of Professional Responsibility

The following statement MUST be included with every submission in order for it to be eligible for review. If it is not attached with a submitted document, the chair/moderator is responsible for obtaining a completed copy of this form prior to the submission being officially programmed for presentation at the convention.

In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel or paper if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.

For general information regarding the convention, please visit the ECA website at  http://www.ecasite.org/. For questions specific to the Argumentation & Forensics Interest Group, please contact the interest group planner:

Robert J. Green Ph.D.
Department of Communication Studies, Media, and Journalism
Commonwealth University of PA Bloomsburg
rgreen2@commonwealthu.edu