At the University of Washington, the Speech and Debate Team is committed to creating more than just a weekend debating society. To create a pedagogically sound and comprehensive program, the team clearly links the skills that we develop weekend after weekend to the greater UW community and curriculum. Speech and debate, as countless students have learned, directly contributes to their classroom experience; debate teaches research, critical thinking, organization, and listening skills. In fact, in many ways, debate serves as a laboratory in which students can test, compare, and learn new ideas. Debate crosses multiple disciplines, including political science, communication, philosophy, public policy, and drama. Given the complexities of the world today, very few issues can escape contentious debate; politics seems to have become more of a verbal jousting match than a deliberative discussion aimed at negotiating toward a solution. Having a strong debate program offers opportunities to share skills with UW students and the greater Seattle community as a whole.

The SDSUW is kicking off another new season! Please join us at one of our weekly meetings if you are interested in participating during the 2009-2010 season.

Congrats to UW for its performance at both 2009 National tournaments. For all the results, see the awards page.

Check out the article featuring the debate team in the College of Arts & Sciences Perspectives newsletter. Follow the link to the article: http://www.artsci.washington.edu/newsletter/Summer06/Debate.htm

Fall Quarter meetings will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Thompson 202.

Student Leaders

Spencer Coates, President - coates88@u.washington.edu
Steve Bonner, VP of Public Affairs - stevenjaybonner@gmail.com
Jackie Lawrence, VP of Finance - jlawre@u.washington.edu
Emily Santee, Case Brief Manager - santee@u.washington.edu

Volunteer Coaches

Christi Siver, Political Science - chsiver@u.washington.edu
Mary Lynn Veden, Communications - vedenm@u.washington.edu

October 9-11 Lewis and Clark (Parli, IEs)
October 24-25 UPS (Parli)
October 30-November 1 GGI (Berkeley) (Parli, IEs)
November 6-8 University of Pacific (Parli)
November 20-22 Linfield (Parli, IEs)
December 4-5 Willamette Free Tournament (Parli)

January 16-18 (Not) Mile High Swing, Texas Tech (Parli)
January 29-31 Pacific University (Parli, IEs)
February 12-14 Western States (UPS) (Parli, IEs?)
February 19-21 Whitman Swing (Parli, IEs)
February 27-28 Hatfields (Willamette) (Parli)
March 6 Northwest JV/Novice Tournament (UW) (Parli)
March 19-22 NPDA Nationals at Texas Tech
March 27-29 NPTE Nationals at Azusa Pacific

The SDS participates in public debates for the broader UW community, and many students volunteer to promote debate in the Seattle High School area. The SDS supports numerous homeschool debate leagues and the Seattle Urban Debate League (UDL). Volunteer coach Christi Siver also teaches a course in the Robinson Center that provides middle school students with the critical thinking and public speaking skills that prepare them to enter debate and public speaking competitions once they enter high school.