I didn't actually do debate, but instead a similar form of formal argumentation: Ethics Bowl. It's similar to set-topic arguments in parliamentary debate, except that a) it's all applied ethics problems and b) the exact proposition isn't known - you get a set of cases a few months in advance that describe various scenarios but no exact question regarding what moral conflict in the case they're going to ask you to debate on the day of competition. Cases are on everything from from nurses from developing countries leaving for higher wages in developed countries to a Deaf lesbian couple deliberately trying to conceive a deaf child to the County of Sacramento allowing developers to create housing in areas where levee failure is probable in the event of a 100-year flood - i.e. places you can't get flood insurance to all forms of copied text/work that may or may not be considered plagiarism.
We used to prep for about 20 hours a week after we got the cases - one set for regionals, one set for nationals if you go on. Good times - put a bunch of loud philosophy students with OPINIONS in a room together for that many hours along with a few professors who have just as many opinions and a lot of interesting ideas get thrown around. I honestly thought about joining the debate team - we were pretty competitive at the Div III level, but our Ethics Bowl team did better, nationally, and I thought the set-up emphasized more in-depth thought and careful consideration, at least for the subjects I was interested in.
I take it you do debate, though? What events? Any particular debates or opponents that will live fondly in your memories?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2011-11-04 09:58 pm (UTC)I didn't actually do debate, but instead a similar form of formal argumentation: Ethics Bowl. It's similar to set-topic arguments in parliamentary debate, except that a) it's all applied ethics problems and b) the exact proposition isn't known - you get a set of cases a few months in advance that describe various scenarios but no exact question regarding what moral conflict in the case they're going to ask you to debate on the day of competition. Cases are on everything from from nurses from developing countries leaving for higher wages in developed countries to a Deaf lesbian couple deliberately trying to conceive a deaf child to the County of Sacramento allowing developers to create housing in areas where levee failure is probable in the event of a 100-year flood - i.e. places you can't get flood insurance to all forms of copied text/work that may or may not be considered plagiarism.
We used to prep for about 20 hours a week after we got the cases - one set for regionals, one set for nationals if you go on. Good times - put a bunch of loud philosophy students with OPINIONS in a room together for that many hours along with a few professors who have just as many opinions and a lot of interesting ideas get thrown around. I honestly thought about joining the debate team - we were pretty competitive at the Div III level, but our Ethics Bowl team did better, nationally, and I thought the set-up emphasized more in-depth thought and careful consideration, at least for the subjects I was interested in.
I take it you do debate, though? What events? Any particular debates or opponents that will live fondly in your memories?