Towson International Debate Institute
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The Towson International Debate Institute, often called TIDI, is a summer debate camp for policy debaters. In the beginning, the institute was availible to students mainly in the Baltimore Urban Debate League, in recent years however, students have traveled from around the world to come to the institute. Usually the camp lasts about two weeks, and is held on the campus of Towson University.
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[edit] Structure
TIDI main goals are to provide resources for both experienced and new debaters. Unlike some camps that focus primarily on the research and preparation of arguments, TIDI also emphasizes building the skills and confidence that translate into success during the coming years.
[edit] Sections
TIDI offers four sections: High School; Middle School; International; Teachers and Debate Coaches.
[edit] High School
The high school and college coaches familiar with arguments on the current high school topic and with extensive camp experience will help students prepare for the upcoming season.
TIDI’s staff members specialize in researching and developing skills in competitive policy debate. The high school track brings this experience to beginning and advancing high school debaters. This program features:
- Topic sessions: Daily group sessions are planned by staff experienced in researching issues relevant to the resolution. Expert guests provide specialized and professional knowledge. These sessions identify and explain key Affirmative and Negative arguments.
- Theory sessions: Daily group sessions cover theoretical aspects of debate strategy, starting with the principles of argumentation and refutation and moving on to current debate practices, including counterplans, critical arguments and other debate theory.
- Labs: Small groups of 8 to 10 meet daily for more in-depth topic discussions, practice sessions and one-on-one instruction. Students work with staff to place themselves in Beginner or Experienced lab groups, all of which work on research, speaking skills, and debate technique.
- Tournament competition: The high school track ends with a day-long tournament that allows students to put their research and skill development into practice. Students are judged by lab leaders, teachers and other quality judges. Students receive awards for top speakers and teams.
[edit] International
- The Institute introduces students and teachers from Southeastern Europe to American government and policy debate. International and American students work together in group projects.
- The Southeast Europe Youth Leadership Institute (SEEYLI), is administered by the Open Society Institute in cooperation with the International Debate Education Association (IDEA), Towson University and Catholic University. Students, staff and guests from the international debate community in Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia are part of the summer campus community.
- Structured workshops, dialogues and social situations provide the opportunity for SEELYI students to learn about American politics and culture as well as to meet and interact with students from other Southeastern European countries, and the United States. .
[edit] Teachers and Debate Coaches
The Baltimore Urban Debate League, as well as many other urban debate leagues and high school debate in general, is growing. TIDI’s Teacher Track addresses concerns for teachers becoming coaches and for current coaches to learn the latest in debate theory and get up to speed on the current high school topic. The track begins at 9 am and ends at 4 pm. This track features:
- Small group discussions: Teachers meet with successful debate coaches for practical and philosophical discussions about leadership, strategy and organization.
- Topic background: Teachers discuss the same topics as their students, to get them to guide their students throughout the season. Like students, teachers focus on both general information about U.S. policy and specific arguments.
- Debate theory: Teachers learn debate techniques and how best to train students from professional coaches. Sessions focus on skills, drills and activities that appeal to beginning and experienced students.
- Team organization: TIDI staff members coach large and active teams, and teachers learn how to build and maintain a program through recruitment, retention and development. Teachers also learn how tournaments are organized, and can participate in the High School Track tournament at the end of the institute.
- Administration: Teachers learn techniques for working with school administration and school systems to get the most for their students and team.
[edit] Accommodations and Fees
Lunch is provided daily for all students. A wide range of meals are available, ranging from Kosher to vegetarian, to traditional student fair of pizza and subs. Healthy meal choices are also available, fresh fruit, and salads. A limited spaces are available for resident students in a supervised on-campus dormitory.
Tuition for high school commuter students to go to TIDI is between $650 and $850. for residents. Residents pay for eight days of sessions and nine nights of food and double-occupancy. There is no fee for participants in the SEEYLI program. Tuition is for the entire session and covers lunch, access to library resources, briefs written in labs, topic and theory handouts, photocopying, T- shirt and all instruction. Some scholarships are available.
The staff/student ratio of 1/8 and in addition to faculty, there are administrators, debate assistants and assistant instructors.
