Debate is perhaps one of the best activities on any campus for developing marketable job skills on the JMU campus. Not only is debate a fine item to place on any resume, it also is a vital way to develop research and critical thinking skills that are invaluable. Prominent political figures and successful lawyers were once succesful debaters in college; however, they are not limited only to those professions. Those who seek a greater understanding of not only the world, but how they can change it for the better are welcomed in debate.
The debate community is also an invigorating environment wherein the important global issues of the day are discussed to find real solutions to real problems. Debate can magnify and change the way you approach and live life.
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
What do we debate about?
The 2007-2008 policy debate topic is related to the Middle East, and more information on this topic can be found at: http://www.cedatopic.com/0708topic.html
Does it cost anything to debate?
No! The only costs associated with being on the debate team is that you will need to pay your own research costs. For example, you will need to photocopy an article. That you will pay for. Everything else is paid for by JMU. Meals, tournament registration, housing etc., are all paid for by JMU.
Do you need previous experience?
Absolutely not! We are actively seeking new members that have no experience at all to form the basis of our novice debate program. JMU competes in many divisions of debate and people with no experience all debate against one another in the novice division. So do not worry if you have no experience. We have a division for you.
How much time does debate take?
That depends on how much time you have to give. Our basic rule is that you get out of debate what you put into it. We do ask that all members attend squad meetings and individual meetings to prepare for tournament competition. There is library research because that is the heart of our activity. It is impossible to have an intelligent discussion without knowledge acquired from reading books and articles. Some debaters can spend between 20-40 hours a week on debate, others spend 10-15 hours a week. We will give you a commitment based on your commitment to us.
Does the University support debate?
James Madison University and the College of Arts and Letters are particularly committed to a forensics program, which provides opportunities for many types of student competitors. The forensics program has separate workrooms for both debate and individual events. The university pays all travel expenses.
Do you do IE's and am I required to do both?
Yes we have IE's, but NO we don't require our students to compete in both events. If you're interested in trying both—more power to you. Our experience however, is that most students find that the time commitment to participate in both events is prohibitive.
What if I'm tired of debating after high school?
It's always true that when you get so tired of an activity that it's no longer fun—it's time to give it up. However, what you may be tired of is the back-to-back travel for 18 straight weekends. We encourage students to set goals for themselves, whether it's simply to participate in a great activity that teaches you more than most college classrooms, or to qualify for the NDT. We hope that forensics will enhance your college experience.
How is Harrisonburg to live in?
That depends on what you're looking for. You will find all sorts of outdoors activities closeby (hiking, canoeing, sailing, and skiing, just to mention a few). Harrisonburg is a community of 35,000 located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. We are less than an hour from Charlottesville, two hours from Richmond, and a little over two hours from Washington, D.C. Harrisonburg is truly a "college town," and has most of the amenities that a college student could ask for. JMU is a residential campus, although many students populate the local apartment complexes.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Mike Davis at davismk@jmu.edu.
