Congressional Debate
Two-Week Program
|
Residential
|
$3,999 |
|
Commuter
|
$2,799 |
One-Week Program
|
Residential
|
$2,999 |
|
Commuter
|
$2,199 |
ISD is home to the nation’s premier Congressional Debate Summer Camp. Students will compete in mock legislative sessions and develop leadership and communication skills as they propose laws, research extensively, prepare advocacies, 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.
Congressional Debate at ISD: Online
Different medium, same ISD Congress. All aspects of our curriculum that we’ve used to create a versatile, intriguing, championship-level program in-person remain the same when we’re online. Students will: Access policy lectures to gain in-depth knowledge on all matters relevant to their content; participate in competitive sessions [whilst navigating a new platform, ah multi-tasking]; and receive individually tailored instruction from the best of the best. Students will see Congress through a new lens- literally.
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."
Typical Daily Schedule
8:00 – 8:50am |
Breakfast |
9:00 – 11:00am |
Skill Lectures |
11:00am – 12:30pm |
Content and Briefing Discussions |
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 |