Texas Debate Collective

Here is our tentative schedule:

Activities are divided between lab and three kinds of modules: drills, philosophy, and issues. Here’s what we mean by the latter two:

Philosophy-oriented modules: Aimed at reflecting on and applying philosophy in debate, these are closer to themed activities than traditional lectures. They combine an interactive lecture and a work session on applying the ideas that emerge from the student-teacher dialogue. Topics will vary but all can be directly applied to the January/February topic, so that students leave each module with both an understanding of the theory and ideas for how to use it in rounds.

Issue-oriented modules: These modules are organized around dealing with discrete arguments or strategic/interpretive issues. Through these modules, students will have an opportunity to work with staff other than their lab leaders to construct topic specific arguments, consider how to effectively respond to them, and then how to decisively defend the arguments in light of the best objections. Possible topics might include: Defeating “net benefits” standards; Theoretical objections to necessary but insufficient burdens—defending and defeating those objections; and Counter-conceptualizing fairness—what should it mean in relation to an activity like debate?

We’ve made the philosophy and issue modules 2 hours because they will include a work session with the lecturers in which students will at least outline cases or off-cases that use the arguments they just discussed. The goal is for the students to leave the module with a good idea on how to apply what they learned and some level of completion of the actual application.

Dec 27th (@ hotel)

• 10-1pm — Registration @ Hotel
• 1-1:30 — Opening Meeting
• 1:30-2:45 — Topic Analysis
• 3-6:30 — Lab
• 6:30-8 — Dinner
• 8:15-10 — Philosophy/Issue Modules
• Return home/your hotel room @ 10

Dec 28th (@ Strake Jesuit)

• 9-10 — Drill Modules
• 10:15-1pm — Lab
• 1-2 — Lunch
• 2:15-4:15 — Philosophy/Issue Modules
• 4:30-6:30 — Philosophy/Issue Modules
• 6:30-8 — Dinner
• 8-10 — Lab
• Return to hotel @ 10

Dec 29th (@ Strake Jesuit)

• 9-10 — Drill Modules
• 10:15-1 — Lab
• 1-2 — Lunch
• 2:15-4:15 — Philosophy/Issue Modules
• 4:30-6:30 — Issue Modules only
• 6:30-8 — Dinner
• 8:15-10 — Lab
• Return to hotel @ 10

Dec 30th (check out of hotel and bring baggage to Strake Jesuit)

• 9-10 — Drill Module OR Student Demo Round
• 10:15-1:30 — Lab
• 1:30-3 — Lunch / Closing Meeting
• End of camp. Leave from Strake Jesuit @ 3