Curriculum: Congressional Debate
Our Congress program provides students with an opportunity to master the analytical and practical skills that are necessary for national success. Through a combination of discussions on the most pressing issues facing the United States, lectures on larger themes of congressional debate (like economic policy, domestic policy, constitutional law, foreign policy and international affairs), classes on strategy, and a heavy emphasis on improving speaking and argumentation, NSD will push every debater to reach their greatest potential. Our diverse curriculum and talented staff can help students at every stage of their debate career, from novices to experienced veterans.
Staff
Alex Smyk was president of the Ridge Forensics Team (NJ) - one of the largest debate programs in the country - and took first place at the Tournament of Champions, NCFL Grand National Tournament, New York City "Big Bronx" Invitational, George Mason University Patrioit Games, and Yale Invitational.
Alex now directs the congressional debate program at Bronx Science (NY) while studying Economics and Environmental Science at Columbia University. He also sits on the governing board of Youth for Debate, a student group that teaches public speaking at disadvantaged New York City schools. He previously worked at the Florida Forensics Institute (FFI).
So far this year, Ross Slaughter has won Harvard and the George Mason University (GMU) Patriot Games. As a Junior, he placed 2nd at Harvard and 5th at the Tournament of Champions. He also won 3rd at The Glenbrooks and 5th at GMU in Extemporaneous Speaking.
Ross has also captained the Walt Whitman High School (MD) Congress and Extemp teams for the past two years, and his proudest achievements include introducing speech & debate to underclassmen, educating them about global issues, and endowing them with the tools for enduring competitive success.
Defining Features
Office Hours
In office hours, students set up appointments to work one-on-one with instructors of their choice. Unlike other camps, students sign up for time slots in office hour periods so every student is assured equal attention. Students do not have to go to a central location and vie for attention from a staff member. Our emphasis on equitable and individualized access to instruction is effectively coupled with the informal environment of the camp: lab leaders work with students in the lounges during free time every night. This allows us to focus class time on addressing the topics that every student must understand in order to excel in student congress, while still retaining time to address the specific needs of our debaters.
Practice Sessions
All students at NSD will have numerous opportunities to apply the skills we teach them in debate simulations. From individual practice speeches to full blown mock-sessions, debaters will have a chance to refine their argumentation and presentation by constantly speaking. Our highly-qualified instructors will give students specific feedback to eliminate bad habits and instill the qualities that lead to success in student congress.
Lectures
Lectures in congress at NSD will fall into one of three categories. First, our coaching staff will provide students with a solid background on current events, so they are prepared for the topics that are most likely to emerge as legislation over the course of the year. Second, debaters will learn about the core issues that affect congressional decision making, like economic policy and constitutional law. The goal of these lectures is to give students the tools to analyze legislation by examining the factors shaping national policy. When students understand the long term strategic objectives of the United States, they will be comfortable analyzing and responding to the arguments other debaters make in round. Finally, NSD will lecture on congress skills and strategy. These lectures will cover everything from basics, like argumentation and delivery, to more advanced issues like presiding and the different strategies necessary to perfect a early, middle, or late round speech.
Our staff draws upon many years of final round experience to answer even the toughest questions about how to master the art of congressional debate.
A Typical Day at NSD
8:45am Roll Call
9-10am Topic Area Lecture: US-Chinese relations (topic will vary, e.g. econ, trade, foreign aid, military intervention, labor law, etc.)
10 – 11:30am Research in small groups: Legislation will be distributed legislation for the afternoon debate. Instructors will help students critically analyze their sources to construct powerful and convincing arguments.
11:30-12:30pm Lunch
12:30pm-3:30pm Practice Debate: Students will reconvene to debate the bills distributed before lunch. Students will have the opportunity to preside, author legislation, and refute one another. After each bill, our staff will offer individual feedback and analysis of the round. Students will hone their knowledge and skills by learning to respond to other debater's arguments and synthesizing the round.
3:30 – 4:30 Strategy Lecture: Discuss methods for distinguishing oneself from the other competitors in the chamber.
4:30 - 5:30 Speaking Drills and Rebuttal Redos
5:30pm-7pm Dinner
7-8pm Office Hours
8-9pm Elective (choose from a variety of options)
9-12pm Free Time: Students can relax, or work on crafting legislation for future debate and writing speeches for the next day's rounds in a more informal setting (instructors always make themselves available for help during free time)
