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Home · Programs · It’s Debatable

It’s Debatable

Drugs, student power, non-conformity, problems in education - adults can talk about these subjects all they want, but it's the students who really know the score. This was the premise behind It's Debatable, a CBC Radio program that ran on Friday evenings during the socially turbulent years of 1967 to 1969. Recorded in high school auditoriums, the panel would typically consist of two teenage students (usually a male and a female) and an adult expert in the topic at hand. Walter Pitman hosted during the spring of 1967, but the host from September 1967 onward was the witty and provocative Elwy Yost. The CBC Digital Archives features 10 complete episodes from 1967 to 1969, plus some shorter excerpts from select episodes.

Why teach history?

Broadcast Date: April 7, 1967

Why teach history? In this 1967 episode of It's Debatable, two students from Toronto's Western Collegiate, a teacher and a Globe and Mail columnist discuss this complicated question. "(History) endeavours to give some perspective," explains Roy King, history teacher and principal of C.B. Parsons Secondary School. But the students feel it's not always useful. King agrees history class isn't always as relevant as it could be, but blames poor teaching, not the subject itself. "A good deal of history is taught badly," he admits.

Why teach history?

• The usefulness of learning history has often been debated, with advocates believing history is the best way to understand the present, and detractors doubting the discipline's value. American historian and author David McCullough once said, "History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are." On the other hand, writer Kurt Vonnegut has said, "History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again."

It's Debatable: Why teach history?

Medium: Radio

Program: It's Debatable

Broadcast Date: April 7, 1967

Guest(s): Roy King, Peter Patersall, Jean Walker, Barrie Zwicker


Moderator: Walter Pitman

Duration: 28:34

Photo: Eldridge Stanton/Library and Archives Canada/PA-034028

Last updated:
March 23, 2009


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MediaTitle and dateDescription
Radio
14:34 		April 18, 1969
Teenagers debate drugs 		In 1969, high school students debate the morality, legality and prevalence of marijuana in their lives.
Radio
28:29 		April 18, 1969
It's Debatable: Students and drugs 		In this 1969 episode of It's Debatable, high school students debate the morality, legality and prevalence of marijuana in their lives.
Radio
5:44 		April 4, 1969
Free year of university for Newfoundlanders 		Premier Smallwood announces there will be no charge for first-year students at Newfoundland and Labrador's Memorial University in 1965. 
Radio
29:04 		March 28, 1969
It's Debatable: Why young Newfoundlanders leave 		This 1969 episode of It's Debatable explores the question of why young Newfoundlanders are leaving the province in droves.
Radio
29:25 		Jan. 3, 1969
It's Debatable: Prejudice 		"Prejudice" makes for a lively discussion topic in this 1969 episode of It's Debatable.
Radio
29:33 		Dec. 20, 1968
The Christmas myth debated 		What does Christmas mean in modern society? This 1968 episode of It's Debatable tackles the "Christmas myth".
Radio
29:29 		Dec. 13, 1968
It's Debatable: Native rights 		In this 1968 episode of It's Debatable, panellists discuss the contentious subject of rights for Canada's native people.
Radio
29:23 		Nov. 1, 1968
It's Debatable: What! Me a conformist? 		A panel debates the idea of conformity in this 1968 episode of It's Debatable, titled "What! Me a conformist?"
Radio
29:23 		Oct. 11, 1968
It's Debatable: The new morality 		In this 1968 episode of It's Debatable, panellists debate the "new morality."
Radio
29:18 		Oct. 4, 1968
It's Debatable: Student power 		"Student power." What is it, and is it good for society?
Radio
29:23 		June 2, 1967
It's Debatable: Is democracy working? 		Panellists ponder the question "Is democracy working in Canada?" in this 1967 episode of It's Debatable.
Radio
28:34 		April 7, 1967
It's Debatable: Why teach history? 		"Why teach history?" is the question being considered in this 1967 episode of It's Debatable.
12 results available