After Olympics, We Debate

Yesterday's Lab Olympics left many lab leaders injured and many students tired. Pictures from the competition will be uploaded shortly. To recover from athletic activity, we engaged in practice debates.

Topicality Lecture Notes

Topicality Lecture Notes can be found here.

Vacuums defeat Video Games in Kickball

In a stunning game of kickball that saw All-Star Reliever Chip Schwab blow three saves, the Uber-Nietzschean Vacuums claimed a 8-7 victory on a walk-off three-run, home run.

The game was ripe with scoring and highlight plays. The UNV's claimed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but the Too Tired for Video Games lab tied the game in the top of the third. The Video Games claimed a lead in the top of the fourth on a highly contested play. While three runners scored, one runner passed another as they crossed the plate - resulting in two outs. The Vacuums then tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. The Video Games came back and take the lead in the top of the seventh, but Chip could not hold on for his first save as the Vacuums tied the game. No one scored in the eighth inning, but the Video Games took the lead again in the top of the ninth and Chip blew his second save in the bottom of the ninth. In the top of the tenth the Video Games took what looked like an insurmountable two run lead.

In the bottom of the tenth, Paul Mabrey's lead off triple put the Vacuums in good shape - but two pop flies later the Video Games win looked all but certain. The Vacuums then rallied. A single set the stage for the next batter (Aaron Boone)... who hit the game winning three-run, homerun.

There also were some excellent and hilarious defensive plays. While running to first, the Video Games Lab Leader Cheryl Stanga slid into first base, came up short, and earned some grass stains. Joel Lemuel was injured on three plays - twice by his own team. Video Game lab leader Nick Bubb fell over while batting and committed multiple errors while playing third base. Excellent plays were made on defense though. The Video Games Colton Karoses made several important catches (mostly of Joel's kicks) and the Vacuums also had a stellar diving catch.

Lab Challenge points were wagered on the competition, but Special Commissioner Dr. Tim Dale ruled that points cannot be wagered during outdoor fun. So no points were changed.

The "Too Tired for Video Games" Lab Works Hard on Producing Evidence

Critical Lecture

Luis Magallon and Paul Mabrey are giving the Regents an informative lecture on Critical Arguments. While the staff was amazed that most of the students knew the rules for handling Gremlins, the staff was also disappointed that no one got the rules of Hulkamania.

The links to the Youtube videos that Paul mentioned can be found below, Brother!

Gremlins
Hulk Hogan

Marquette University Debate Institute Video

Adkins/Lemuel/Mabrey Lab Video

Lecture Notes from Bill's Counter Plan Lecture

Those notes can be found here.

Adkins/Lemuel/Mabrey Lab: Day Two: Playtime is Over

The second day brought the Uber-Nietzschean vacuums great pleasure. After starting out slow in the lab challenge, we moved from tied for first place to being in out right first place. We really want the pizza party. And I think it was our stunning knowledge of pop culture that clinched first for us. We were shocked nobody knew who gave the last speech. It must be the pressure of the pizza getting to us.

Ok, so playtime isn't totally over. The best part of the day was welcoming two new members to our squad family. Carisma and Jessica joined for us for the first time today. And I apologize if I spelled names wrong; as the writing on the chalkboard (yes, old school) proved: I cannot spell very well. We welcomed them in with introductions and our new favorite game: two truths and a lie. We learned that Terrance has never worn shorts, Paul the elder is engaged (the students couldn't believe it), Paul the younger has a girlfriend (again, the students must not believe anything the Paul's said) and many other exciting facts about our squad.

After an exhilarating morning lecture on disadvantages we started our first debates of the 2007-2008 debate season!!!! We had our mini-debates over the Bio-defense disad. And it was a conclusive 3-0 (Adkins, Lemuel and Mabrey) decision for the students. They all did a great job in their first speeches of the workshop. Everyone sounded great and argued above the expectations. I mean we had evidence comparison, impact analysis and yes, we even had offense on the disadvantage. Woohoo.

In the afternoon we started our research. We decided that all of our research would supplement our current files. It's not that Ed Lee did a bad job, it's just that we have different visions of what counts as good evidence. ;) Really we do love the work that Ed did. We just want to have more evidence and more variety of arguments. Today we focused in on topicality violations, global health services, and the bio-defense disadvantage. The good news is that we survived the library without any paper cuts. Although I wonder if libraries carry books any more?

Our dinner break was disappointing. I think the general consensus of the camp was that dinner was underwhelming. Kind of quesadillas, hamburgers and salad a dinner does not make. The diet pepsi was refreshing but still not diet coke.

We concluded the night with a surprise for the whole lab. Drum roll please. ...............................................................................................................................................................
Full practice debate tomorrow. You see, it is actually kind of funny, maybe ironic. We asked them what they thought of the mini-debates and the most frequent comment was that they were too short. Well, the debates got longer. Yeah debates! We will have three full team debates with GHS on the aff and case attacks and disads on the neg. I cannot wait. I bet there will be lots of improvement from this mornings debates, even after only one day. That's how smart and hard they are working.

Here is hoping for another great day!

Nick Bubb, Dana Watt Win Right Room Challenge

Nick Bubb and Dana Watt were the only lab leaders to successfully make it to the right room for the lab challenge this morning. This blogger thinks that their labs should be awarded extra points.

In other news, the Batterman/Bubb/Sheats/Stanga Lab is now named "Too Tired for Video Games." and the Watt/Magellon/Roberds lab is now named "Team We Must Protect This House."

The Lab Challenge has just finished. The Uber-Nietchean Vaccuums retained their initial lead with 80 points, while Team We Must Protect This House trailed with 70 points, while Too Tired For Video Games surged to an enormous 40 points.

Adkins/Lemuel/Mabrey Lab Adventures: Day One Continued Again

We did do more than just play today; it's just that the pictures of us working are not nearly as fun as the pictures of us sunning on the grass like snakes on a rock.

Adkins/Lemuel/Mabrey Lab Adventures: Day One Continued

Adkins/Lemuel/Mabrey Lab Adventures: Day One

Today was the first full day in what the students have called the Uber Nietzschean Vacuum Lab. We chose this name for our squad because two students named the experience of debating a Nietzsche critique as both their best and worst experience in debate. The lab thought this was mighty funny.

We represented the lab well this morning at the lab challenges; I believe tied for first. Even if not the most successful we were certainly the most energetic.

After an afternoon filled with assessments, theory discussion and looking through evidence we decided to take a break. We threw around the ole' Frisbee and football. And a couple of members enjoyed some well deserved relaxation.

At night we started preparing for the next days mini-debates. We are sparring over the bio-defense disadvantage. It should be a good time. We learned how to write blocks and frontlines tonight. WoooHoooo.

Students Participate in the first Lab Challenge

For a first time at the Marquette University Debate Institute, labs will begin some mornings with a knowledge competition. Students receive points for their lab after correctly answering questions on material from the previous day.

There are two competitions this morning. The Regent Students are competing against each other in a contest involving this years topic (Public Health Assistance to Africa). The MDL Scholars are locked in an epic contest involving knowledge of debate.

MDL Scholars Receiving First Introduction To Debate

The Milwaukee Debate League Scholars are in the midst of their first-ever debate experience, an "Introduction to Debate" Lecture by Brent Hansford, Chris Pozzi, and Shannon Watson. Dozens of students are being introduced to the activity by these talented instructors.

Later this evening, students in both the MDL Scholars and Regents programs will gather for their first lab meetings.

Regents Enjoying Topic Lecture from Lemuel and Stanga

The students have arrived at this year's MUDI and are already being immersed in the Africa topic. Members of the Regents program are currently enjoying an Introductory Topic Lecture from Georgia State University's Joel Lemuel and Emory University's Cheryl Stanga. The interactive lecture includes a discussion of:

1. What The Topic Means
2. Public Health Problems in Africa
3. U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Africa
4. Current Events

Joel's reference to the early-1990s television show Captain Planet went over the students' heads and made the staff feel old. Photos from the lecture are now available on Facebook.

Join The 2007 MUDI Facebook Group

Have a Facebook account? Join the group "Marquette University Debate Institute 2007".

Lab Instructors Announced For 2007 MUDI

The lab groups for this year's Marquette University Debate Institute were announced today as the faculty gathered for a work day prior to the arrival of our students.

Milwaukee Debate League Scholars Program

1. Jarrell Anderson, Pete Clancy, Ben Hamburger, & Daphne Renee McPherson
2. Joseph Foy, Brent Hansford, Betty Maddox, & Chipp Schwab
3. Tim Hogan, Chris Pozzi, Shannon Watson, & Lisa Willoughby

Regents and Scholastics Programs

1. Bill Batterman, Nick Bubb, Brandon Sheats, & Cheryl Stanga
2. Luis Magellon, Chris Roberds, & Dana Watt
3. Stephanie Adkins, Joel Lemuel, & Paul Mabrey
   

More information about each faculty member is available on the MUDI website.

Welcome to the 2007 Marquette University Debate Institute Blog

This is the official blog of the 2007 Marquette University Debate Institute.