The Michigan Lincoln-Douglas Institute is a two-week workshop designed for LD debaters of all experience levels.  Its curriculum and format have been constructed by long-time LD coaches Kandi King of San Antonio Clark High School, and Marliee Dukes of Vestavia Hills High School.  Last year students representing 18 states and 33 schools attended the Michigan LD Institute. There will be a special lab for returning students.

The Michigan LD Institute curriculum stresses three main components:  a comprehensive lecture series, lab groups which analyze and research topic-specific arguments, and cultivation of an effective speaking style.
 

Comprehensive Lecture Series

The Michigan LD Institute Lecture Series has three major components:  (1) theoretical analysis, (2) topic specific analysis, and (3) major modern political philosophy.

Several lectures address the theoretic aspects of the activity, such as how to analyze both sides of an LD topic, writing logical arguments, rebuttal strategies, and cross-examination techniques.  These lectures offer many pragmatic suggestions for debaters to use in their year-long work when they return home.

The Lecture Series covers analysis of the topics selected by the NFL National Committee which will be used during the 2000-2001 academic year.  Each of the selected topics are addressed in a lecture covering the major affirmative and negative ideas, as well as research strategies and direct applications of modern political philosophies.

The Lecture Series also explores major modern political philosophies in the areas of morality, justice, the social contract, natural rights, liberalism and communitarianism.  There is a focus on the writings of Kant, Mill, Rawls, Hobbes, Locke, Nozick, Sandel and Dewey.
 

Lab Groups

The primary unit of instruction at the Michigan Lincoln Douglas Institute is the Lab Group.  Students are assigned to Lab Groups in a student to faculty ratio of 8:1.  Students work with the same lab leaders throughout the institute, enabling lab leaders to learn about the work habits, strengths and weaknesses of their debaters.

Lab Groups also research and analyze the topics selected by the NFL National Committee which will be those chosen to be used during the 2000-2001 academic year.  Each topic is the focus of an assigned research group for the purpose of specializing and coordinating institute-wide argument development.

Lab Groups focus their efforts on the process of analyzing a topic which prepares students for the entire year.  Lab Groups also prepare to debate a specific topic at the Institute Tournament.  The tournament is competitive but emphasized primarily as an educational event.
 

Communication Skills

The Michigan LD Institute places great emphasis on teaching effective communication skills to LD debaters.  Students are taught that persuasion is an essential component to effective argument presentation.  Our faculty is committed to the idea that there is no necessary trade-off between analytical substance and persuasive speaking style.

The faculty conducts a rigorous series of practice debates and rebuttal rework sessions in which each student receives individualized instruction.  The LD Institute provides each student a journal for written judge comments which debaters take to each successive debate so that subsequent judges can establish criteria for and evaluate the level of improvement.
 

Fees

The total fee for the LD Institute is $1400.00.  This fee covers the full cost of tuition, a room in the Residence Hall, the Dining Room Plan, lab copying, and social events.  Admitted applicants must submit a $500.00 deposit no later than three weeks after notification of admission.  The balance of payment is due no later than at Registration.
 

Application and Admission

Applications must be received no later than Monday, June 12.  No application fee is required.  All applicants are informed of their admission status within ten days of our receipt of the completed application form.   Applications may be made by email through this site.  Applications may be sent by fax to 734-761-9974.  Applications for Financial Aid must be received by May 28.  Admission is based primarily on a first-apply basis,  therefore early application is recommended.  The remainder are selected by the following criteria:  the quantity and quality of the applicant's previous debate experience, geographic diversity, previous institute attendance, and the comments offered in letters of recommendation.
 

Faculty

Bryce Pashler, Assistant Director
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Tucker Curtis, Lecturer
Albuquerque Academy, New Mexico

Abdul Beretay
Bergenfield High School, New Jersey

Barbara Garner
Duncanville High School, Texas

Alex Gomez
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Mac Hawkins
Loyola University, Louisiana

Anna Kaminska
University of Texas, Texas

Sarah Richardson
Columbia University, New York