29th September 2009
Welcome to Lit & Deb
The first debating workshop of the new year, an informal workshop introducing freshers to the society and the world of arguing for fun. No real theory, just some very relaxed debating and games.

Followed by night out in (provisionally) Massimo's and the Roisin Dubh.

6th October 2009
Debating: The Concept
An introduction to competitive debating as a theoretical concept, a logic game using real-life situations as context. The first step on the road to making grown people cry using only your words.

13th October 2009
Intro to Mace Debating 1
An introduction to Mace-style debating, concentrating on simpler ideas like structure, points of information, rebuttal, positional requirements etc. Followed by a "pro-am" debate where fresher debaters are teamed up with more experienced speakers.

20th October 2009
Intro to Mace Debating 2
A continuance of the basic basics, concentrating on burdens of proof, model construction, 15-minutes prep etc. Followed by a practice debate.

27th October 2009
UCD Prep Session
Preparation workshop for the UCD IV. Will likely start with a debate. Main body of the workshop will be discussion of likely motions, brief run-through of big international news stories etc. Ideally, this workshop will involve the creation of a kind of “My First Casefile” for use by fresher teams at UCD.

3rd November 2009
UCD Review & Times Workshop
Workshop will consist of a review of the UCD motions and prominent arguments, then an introduction to Irish Times-style debating and differences between it and Mace. Followed by a practice debate in Times style.

10th November 2009
The State & You: Social Policy Debates
A workshop on social policy debates, discussing ideas such as State-individual interaction, rights, social contract etc. The format of these workshops will be opening with a debate with 3-minute speeches (or perhaps even just 15-minutes prep) on a SP motion, then discussion on what teams are missing in terms of points & analysis, some theoretical stuff, then a full-length debate on a related SP motion.

17th November 2009
Other States & You: International Relations Debates
Workshop on IR debates, focusing on both information and concepts such as sovereignty and international law. The format of these workshops will be opening with a debate with 3-minute speeches (or perhaps even just 15-minutes prep) on an IR motion, then discussion on what teams are missing in terms of points & analysis, some theoretical stuff, then a full-length debate on a related IR motion.

24th November 2009
The State & Your Money: Economics Debates
Workshop on economics debates, focusing on the free market, globalisation and trade. The format of these workshops will be opening with a debate with 3-minute speeches (or perhaps even just 15-minutes prep) on an economics motion, then discussion on what teams are missing in terms of points & analysis, some theoretical stuff, then a full-length debate on a related economics motion.

1st December 2009
The State & Your Ass in Jail: Law Debates
Workshop on law debates, focusing on the pillars of justice, prisons and contract law. The format of these workshops will be opening with a debate with 3-minute speeches (or perhaps even just 15-minutes prep) on an law motion, then discussion on what teams are missing in terms of points & analysis, some theoretical stuff, then a full-length debate on a related law motion.

TBA (poss 2nd December 2009)
UCC Prep
Preparation workshop for the UCC IV.

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