- The Debate Center
THE DEBATE CENTER @ G.S.U.
A short interview with James Roland of the Debate Center
The Debate Center
The purpose of the Debate Center is to fill in the gaps of high school debate training in the metro-Atlanta area and the state of Georgia more broadly. In the process the Debate Center encourages learning related to skills necessary for success in a college environment. Georgia State’s partners in the Debate Center include Emory University and selected debate coaches currently active in the Atlanta Public School system.
Program Features
Debate Training: Every Wednesday from 5 pm to 8 pm, intercollegiate debaters serve as coaches for novice, junior varsity, and varsity-level high school debaters. Formats include lectures, practice debates with critiques, and argument brainstorming sessions. Students from established, developing, and nascent programs are welcome and have easy Marta access to the instruction.
Teacher Training: Each Wednesday from 5 pm to 8 pm, university faculty and staff, as well as selected high school coaches, serve as mentors for new debate coaches or for coaches wishing to improve their skills. Team management, budgeting, availability of educational resources, etc. are discussed.
On-line Research Training: Every Wednesday from 5 pm to 8 pm, intercollegiate debaters train interested center visitors about researching on the internet. Participants are introduced to a wide variety of sites, offered evaluative standards for judging internet venues, and trained on efficient means of “surfing the net.”
College Bridge Programming: Twice quarterly, the Debate Center offers workshops on college bridge training. Topics include downloading college applications, strategizing how to respond to college essays, financial assistance, college deadlines, etc.
One-Day Workshops: Attended by students throughout Georgia, the one-day workshops introduce the new resolution that will serve as the topic for debate throughout the academic year. The workshop includes lectures on the topic, demonstration debates, and evidence packets related to the new topic for each student who attends.
Serving the Community
*During the 2007-2008, the Debate Center had more than 1000 visits from students who attended Grady High School, Benjamin Mayes High School, North Atlanta High School, Southside High School, Brown Middle School, Carver-Early College High School, Douglass High School, Therrell High School, Stephenson High School, Southwest Dekalb High School, Washington High School, and Druid Hills High School.
·In 2005-2006, the popularity of the Debate Center has expanded to more than 200 visitors every week.
·Over the past five years, 1500 students from 81 high schools throughout the State of Georgia have attended the one-day workshops.
