The Michigan National Debate Institute (MNDI) is a 3-week policy debate workshop with a curriculum designed for high school debaters of every experience level from top varsity to novice.

The MNDI has never had a concluding tournament.  This format fundamentally alters the orientation of both the students and faculty in a way that encourages preparation for the entire debate season, not just for winning a workshop tournament.  This format allows more emphasis to be placed on individual instruction with students on debating technique and topic-specific analysis.  The sharing and cooperation encouraged by this format generates a more productive and enjoyable environment for all involved.
 

Design

The MNDI curriculum is designed by long-time high school coaches from around the country who have served on our faculty for many years.  Because the MNDI admits students of every experience level, the faculty has designed appropriate curriculum to address specific needs of students in their individual classes.
 

Lab Groups

To implement this curriculum the central units of instruction are small class groupings.  The participants of the MNDI are assigned to classes of 24 or fewer students.  Each class operates under the full-time instruction of two faculty members.  These class groups serve as the primary instructional unit throughout the institute.  They are supplemented by lectures and small seminar groups taught by additional faculty members.
 

Topic Analysis

The primary element of the MNDI curriculum is to instruct the students in the subject content of the national policy debate topic.  Priority is placed almost exclusively on mainstream affirmative cases and topic-specific negative strategies.   Broad-based survey lectures cover the stock affirmative cases and core negative arguments, including a rigorous defense of the status quo policy.  Students at the MNDI receive hands-on and detailed instruction on how to use their research product to compose high-quality, well-organized arguments.
 

Organization

Classes focus on the mechanics of how to construct arguments, including:  logical structure and organization, proper and full source citations and use of qualifications, explanatory labeling, and the ethics of highlighting and use of evidence.
 

Theory Application

Students at the MNDI are taught a solid foundation of basic debate theory and, where appropriate, instructed in application and refutation of more advanced theory. Classes focus on basic theoretical issues such as stock issues, counterplan topicality and competition, affirmative and negative fiat and agency,  conditionality and dispositionality, intrinsicness , topicality and extra-topicality.  Advanced topics include partially plan-inclusive counterplans, permutations, and Critiques.
 

Emphasis on Debating Skills

The MNDI places great emphasis on teaching effective communication skills to debaters.  Students at the MNDI are taught that persuasive communication is an essential component of effective argument presentation.  Our faculty is committed to the principle that there is no necessary tradeoff between analytical substance and persuasive speaking style.
 

Practice Debates

The faculty conducts a rigorous series of debates and rebuttal rework sessions in which students receive extensive individual instruction.  Students also participate in an individualized, four-hour Speaking Clinic where they work intensively on their speaking style and technique.
 

Lecture Series

MNDI students also receive a comprehensive speaker position lecture series taught by Steve Mancuso, Director of Debate at the University of Michigan.  This lecture series offers instruction for each speaker position including constructive and rebuttal techniques; organization systems; and advanced strategic concepts concerning time allocation, argument selection, and weighing.
 

Fees

The total fee for the MNDI is $1395.00.  This fee covers the full cost of tuition, housing in the Residence Hall, the Dining Room Plan, lab copying fees, and several social events.  Admitted applicants must submit a $500.00 deposit within three weeks after notification of admission.  The balance of payment is due no later than at Registration on June 25.
 

Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid for the MNDI you must submit a Michigan Debate Institute Financial Aid Application.  This form must reach the Debate Institutes by May 26.  Financial Aid Application.

Application Policy

Applications must be received no later than 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. All applicants who meet the June 12 deadline will be notified of their admission by June 18. Applications for Financial Aid must be received by May 28.
 

Admission Policy

Students are admitted on primarily a first-apply basis, so early application is strongly advised.  A letter of recommendation is not required prior to admission to the MNDI.
 

Application by Fax

Applications to the MNDI can be sent via fax machine to 734-761-9974.
 

Application by E-mail

 Application to the MNDI can be made by using this web page.  Application