Congressional Debate - Institute for Speech and Debate

Locations/Dates

ISD: Florida (June 27 - July 10, 2020 at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL)

ISD: Carolina (July 12 - 25, 2020 at Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, NC)

Tuition

Residential Program

(all-inclusive room and board)

2 Weeks	$3,150
1 Week	$2,150

Commuter Program

(lunch and dinner only)

2 Weeks	$1,850
1 Week	$1,250

Congressional Debaters compete in mock legislative sessions. Students develop leadership and communication skills as they propose laws, prepare position statements, debate, and ultimately vote on issues that are submitted. They gain a deep understanding of our civic structure and the process by which change is instituted through legislation.

How we teach | How students grow

Faculty work with campers to develop both their mastery of the Congressional Debate content as well as their speech and debate skills. Workshops cover topics ranging from legal framework to public policy. Students hone their skills in the areas of argumentation, refutation, and presentation. They practice using various research techniques, bill writing, parliamentary procedure, and style and rhetoric strategies. Faculty work closely with students, offering feedback and developing techniques that can help them succeed through to the final rounds of competition. Fully critiqued Congressional Debate sessions are an exciting part of these workshops.

From Our Curriculum Director

"Our Congress curriculum emulates ISD's vision: Each student has a tailored experience to ensure success doesn't just come in the form of trophies or bids; it translates to larger platforms outside the round. Our program establishes and enhances a set of skills students use for great change, both in and out of the forensics community. That's the ISDDifference in action."

– Brittany Stanchik, Curriculum Director - Congressional Debate

Typical Daily Schedule

8:00 – 8:50am	Breakfast
9:00 – 11:00am	Content Lectures
11:00am – 12:30pm	Topic Research and Filing
12:30 – 1:30pm	Lunch/Break
1:30 – 3:30pm	Strategy and Technique Labs
3:30 – 5:00pm	Practice Session
5:15 – 6:30pm	Dinner
6:30 – 8:00pm	Practice Session
After 8:00pm	Commuters must depart campus
10:00pm	Resident students must be inside their residence hall
11:00pm	Room Check (resident students must be in their rooms at this time)
11:00pm - 7:00am	Quiet Hours