Photo Albums

Wabash College celebrated the release of 'Argumentation in Everyday Life,' the new textbook written by Associate Professor of Rhetoric Jeff Drury (left).

'It’s really based on the work I do in my classes,' said Drury. 'This book, in that respect, has been 15 years in the making. In terms of the actual process from start to finish, I proposed the book in the summer of 2016 and it came out in February 2019.'

Associate Professor of Philosophy Emeritus Glen Helman peruses Drury's textbook.

Professor of Rhetoric Todd McDorman was one of the many faculty members to attend the ceremony in the Lilly Library.

Sujata Saha, Assistant Professor of Economics (center), chats with Jennifer Abbott, Associate Professor of Rhetoric.

Assistant Professor of Art Matthew Weedman was all smiles.

(from left) Professor of Classics Emeritus Joseph Day, Associate Professor of Philosophy Adriel Trott, and Helman share their thoughts.

Professor of Classics Jeremy Hartnett shares a story.

This (writing the textbook) was largely a personal need,' Drury said. 'I was largely unsatisfied with the existing textbooks. Initially, I wrote up some documents that I had my students read to prevent me from having to lecture on it when we met (for class).'

Leslie Day (right), Professor of Classics Emeritus, points out a discovery to Joe.

Abbott listens intently.

Matt Mosak '20, was one of the rhetoric majors to attend.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology Anne Bost enjoys a light conversational moment with Drury.

'It’s intended for classes in argumentation and debate,' said Drury. 'In the communication field, public speaking is really the primary class that a lot of people take. Argumentation is a narrower field. I saw one dissertation study estimated that 70 percent of undergraduate institutions have an argumentation class. It’s an opportunity for students to learn skills in critical thinking, critical reading, and finding their voice.'

Admissions Counselor Fabian House '16 chats with McDorman.

Associate Professor of English and Senior Associate Dean of the College Jill Lamberton (right) talks with Mosak.

'I'm excited because it’s been a long process and I know, personally, I’ll get use out of this book,' said Drury. 'What’s most satisfying is that it’s an opportunity for people to develop skills that are so crucial for 21st century public life. '

'Part of the book focuses on multiple contexts – social media, certainly – and the three major ones we focus on are personal, professional, and public life,' Drury said. 'Thinking about how we engage in argumentation one-on-one in interpersonal relationships, how we do it in a professional work setting, and how do we do it in public life as citizens. That’s the spectrum the book covers.'

Assistant Professor of Political Science Lorraine McCray.

Assistant Professor of French Karen Quandt.

Here, House shares the book with a pair of students.