I've never debated before. Is this something I can do?
Certainly! Seawolf Debate has a long history of preparing those with no experience to debate well. The full resources of the team will be available to you, from group training sessions to individual coaching. Participation in a training session will be required of all participants in the tournament; at the Introductory Session you will learn about the format for the debates, preparation of arguments for your position and strategies for successful debating. Finally, members of the Seawolf Debate traveling team are not eligible to compete in the tournament; we expect that those who compete will have little or no experience in competitive debate.
What does a debate look like?
Please see the section on how to debate.
How do I register?
First, you should find a partner with whom to debate. Once you have a partner, click on the registration page and complete the registration form.
What if I don't have a partner?
Complete (2 person) teams are given priority in registration for the competition. Individuals unable to find a partner may submit an individual registration. The tournament organizers will attempt to pair individual registrants with another individual registrant. Individual registrants are not guaranteed participation in the competition.
Who is eligible to compete?
Participants must be enrolled for a minimum of three (3) credits for the Spring '10 semester in an undergraduate or graduate program at UAA. UAA students who have attended more than one competitive tournament as part of the Seawolf Debate traveling team are not eligible to compete in the tournament.
How much will this cost?
Participation is free for eligible UAA students.
How much time will this take?
The tournament is scheduled for Tuesday evenings, from 7:00-10:00pm, beginning on January 26th and ending on March 4th. The Final Round will be held Thursday, March 4th. You and your partner will be required to attend the Introductory Session (January 26th) and your Preliminary Round (either Feb. 2nd, 9th, 16th or 23rd). If, based on your performance in your preliminary round, you are selected to participate in the Semifinal Round, you'll debate again on March 2nd. If, based on the Semifinal Round, you qualify for the Final Round, you’ll debate again on March 4th.
| Date | Time | Session |
Location |
January 26
| 7:00 - 10:00 | Introductory Session | TBD
|
February 2
| 7:00 - 10:00
| Preliminary Rounds
| TBD |
February 9
| 7:00 - 10:00
| Preliminary Rounds
| TBD |
| February 16 | 7:00 - 10:00 | Preliminary Rounds | TBD
|
| February 23 | 7:00 - 10:00
| Preliminary Rounds | TBD |
| March 2
| 7:00 - 10:00
| Semifinal Rounds | TBD |
| March 4 | 7:00
| Final Round | TBD
|
This schedule is tentative. If demand warrants, the tournament organizers reserve the right to add additional preliminary and elimination rounds.
How will I know when we'll be debating?
Pairings (a schedule of the teams competing in a round, the topic for the debate and position assignments) will be released one week prior to the preliminary or final rounds. Pairings will be announced in the sessions and on the website.
What topics will we debate?
Topics will be drawn from current controversial events. They may be local, regional, national or international in nature. The topic for each debate will be announced one week before the debate so that teams may prepare.
The following motions were used in previous Cabin Fever Debates:
- The State of Alaska should withhold PFDs from college students who attend school Outside until they return to Alaska.
- The President ought to have the power to order, without warrants, surveillance of communication between US citizens and foreign nationals.
- Foreign corporations should not be permitted to own and operate US port facilities.
- American Internet companies ought not do business with countries that restrict their citizen’s access to politically-sensitive content.
I have more questions. What should I do?
You should e-mail Shawn Briscoe (786-4354) or Steve Johnson (786-4391).
