July 11th - August 7th, 2010
The Michigan Classic is a four-week policy debate workshop designed for students who desire a challenging summer workshop experience and who wish to engage in competition at an advanced level the following year.
The Classic offers separate divisions for rising Seniors/Juniors and Sophomores. Approximately 24 students are selected for the Senior/Junior Division and 48 students for the Sophomore Division.
Lab Groups
Classic students are assigned to Lab Groups of about 16-24 people. Each Lab Group is taught by two of the full-time institute faculty members. This Lab Group serves as the central instructional unit throughout the workshop. Students work with the same lab leaders throughout the Classic to enable the instructors to learn the work habits, strengths, and weaknesses of the debaters. Classic students also work with other faculty members in selected situations, such as theory classes and seminars.
2010 Staff
Tim Alderete (Policy Debate Coordinator at the Meadows School)
Roy Levkovitz (Director of Debate at Woodward Academy)
Sheila Peterson (Director of Debate at Edina High School)
Sara Sanchez (Director of Debate at Lexington High School)
Christina Tallungan (Director of Debate at Notre Dame High School)
Whit Whitmore (Assistant Debate Coach at Woodward Academy and the University of Michigan)
For more information on our faculty members, click here.
Roy Levkovitz (Director of Debate at Woodward Academy)
Sheila Peterson (Director of Debate at Edina High School)
Sara Sanchez (Director of Debate at Lexington High School)
Christina Tallungan (Director of Debate at Notre Dame High School)
Whit Whitmore (Assistant Debate Coach at Woodward Academy and the University of Michigan)
Analysis of the Topic
In addition to the work of their Lab Groups, students learn about the content of the topic from many division-wide lectures. These lectures include broad-based surveys of both affirmative and negative arguments. Students also receive a lecture offering a rigorous and detailed defense of the principles and policies that are represented by the status quo.
Students are assigned to faculty members other than their lab leaders for the purpose of writing the core arguments of the topic. The core argument groups meet several times during the first and second week of the Classic to analyze, outline, research, and ultimately write briefs covering the central issues of the topic area. The work product of these groups is shared among all institute participants.
Communication Skills
Students participate in three sets of practice debates, with each debate critiqued by faculty members. Every debate is accompanied by rebuttal rework sessions for intensive individualized instruction. The Classic provides each student a journal for written judge comments which debaters take to each successive debate so that subsequent judges and coaches can establish criteria for and evaluate the level of improvement.
Detailed speaker position lectures provide practical advice on constructive and rebuttal techniques; organizational systems; and advanced strategic concepts concerning time allocation, argument selection, cross-examination and weighing.
Theory Instruction
Virtually all theory instruction at the Michigan Classic takes place in small classes of eight students and one instructor. Our curriculum emphasizes the practical applications of basic and advanced debate theory. For these theory classes students are assigned to two faculty members other than their lab leaders.
What Coaches Have To Say About the Classic
"As a high school coach, I have sent many debaters over the last decade to the Michigan Classic. It has always focused on improving important debate skills and producing high quality evidence. As a member of the Classic staff, I know that the faculty at Michigan is one of the most committed and engaging in high school debate."
Tim Alderete
Policy Debate Coordinator at The Meadows School
What did the 2008 Students say:
Tim Alderete
Policy Debate Coordinator at The Meadows School
Percentage of students that ranked the Classic as average, above average, or excellent: 99%
Percentage of students that ranked the Classic as above average or excellent: 90%
Percentage of students who ranked the classic below average or poor: 1%
What do 2009 students say:
Would you recommend the michigan debate institutes to friends and teammates? 98% yes
Would you recommend your Classic Lab to friends and teammates? 96% yes
Fees
The total fee for the Michigan Classic is $3800 plus a $60 application fee. This fee covers the full cost of tuition, a room in the Residence Hall, the Dining Room Plan, lab copying fees, and several social events. Students who are admitted must submit a $1000 deposit shortly after their acceptance. Payment of the balance must take place no later than June 1. Please visit our "specials page" to find ways to reduce the cost of the Classic.
Detailed Fee Payment Schedule - payments_classic.php
Application Policy
Applications must be received no later than May 31. A $60 application fee is required. Students will be notified of their admission status (accepted, wait-listed, or rejected) no later than June 1. Please do not call to inquire about admission status unless you have not heard from the Classic by June 1. Applications for Financial Aid must be received by May 1.
Admission Policy
No applicant will be considered without submission of a full and accurate application and the receipt of the $60 application fee. The extent and quality of the applicant's previous debate experience, including demonstrated potential, will be the dominant factors in admissions decisions. Other factors which may be considered include: the strength and number of tournaments attended, speaker awards, previous institute attendance, the comments offered in the enclosed Letter of Recommendation, and geographic diversity.
July 4 - August 7, 2010
If you want to attend debate camp for longer than four weeks, but can't attend the Seven Week Program, we suggest you try the Classic Plus. The Classic Plus gives you a week prior to the Classic for development of a full affirmative and in-depth learning on the topic in a very small directed learning environment with a very low student to teacher ratio.
Fees
The total fee for the Michigan Classic Plus is $4500 plus a $60 application fee. This fee covers the full cost of tuition, a room in the Residence Hall, the Dining Room Plan, and lab copying fees. Students who are admitted must submit a $1000 deposit shortly after their acceptance. Payment of the balance must take place no later than June 1. Please visit our "specials page" to find ways to reduce the cost of the Classic Plus.
Detailed Fee Payment Schedule- http://www.michigandebate.com/ClassicFeePaymentSchedule.php
Application Policy
Applications must be received no later than May 31. A $60 application fee is required. Students will be notified of their admission status (accepted, wait-listed, or rejected) no later than June 1. Please do not call to inquire about admission status unless you have not heard from the Classic by June 1. Applications for Financial Aid must be received by May 1.
