Janus Political Union Debates

The  Janus Political Union  is the newest sub-group of the Janus Forum and focuses primarily on student debates.  The structure of JPU debates is radically different from most student debates. Two students have 5 min each to present their arguments. Following this introduction, we divide the room in half based on people’s initial views on the topic. Then we open the debate up and audience members debate each other freely, changing sides of the room during the discussion. At the end of the debate, we count up the people on each side and the introductory speaker for the winning side gets to pie the other speaker.

Check out descriptions and pictures of past debates, as well as the final vote count, or take a look at the upcoming debates.

Past Events

Is it time to legalize marijuana?
Kevin Sabet and Aaron Houston
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 4:30pm

Last November, Colorado and Washington passed ballot initiatives to become the first states to legalize the sale and cultivation of marijuana for adults. Should other states follow their lead? Join the Janus Forum and Brown Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) to watch Kevin Sabet, dubbed...

Socialism vs. Capitalism: The Way Forward in the 21st Century
Glenn Loury and Ray Lotta
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 7:00pm

The Occupy Movement has brought increasing attention to questions of injustice and inequalities in U.S. society. It has also opened up a conversation about the nature and future of capitalism, and whether there are viable alternatives to the present system. Two provacative thinkers - one a...

Brown v. the City of Providence
Ben Noble (URC) and Ben Wofford '15
Thursday, March 8, 2012 - 7:00pm

The City of Providence is in dire fiscal straits - but how much can Brown be expected to help? President Ruth Simmons proposed an increase in the University's voluntary payment, but Mayor Taveras rejected it, saying it's not enough. Should Brown lose its tax-exempt status? Are the payments...

Should the Occupy Movement focus on Electoral Politics
Harpo Jaeger and Annie Rose London
Friday, November 18, 2011 - 4:00pm
Should Transfer and International Admissions be Need-Aware?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - 7:00pm

In 2003, Brown adopted a need-blind admissions policy for first-year admissions. However, Brown currently admits transfer and international students on a need-aware basis. Join us as we debate the policy and whether it should be revised in the future. Debating will be Zoe Hoffman and Nick...

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