2008 Woodie Awards
Debate team practices new form in tournament
Parliamentary debate opens up new doors for debate team
by Mallory Dumas
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: News
After an eight-hour drive to James Madison University in Virginia, the Piedmont Debate Team competed in its first ever parliamentary debate tournament. The team of freshmen Tim Hudson and Michael Barry placed fourth in the rounds they competed in, addressing the question "Should the U.S. change it's policy in the Middle East."
Tim Hudson brought a unique perspective to the debate. He has lived in Israel for 16 years and is currently an Israeli citizen.
"Our team did not hesitate in asking Michael and Tim to represent our school to debate in the Madison Cup," says debate team president, Ruben Mendez. "We knew these two men had the research and personal experiences to fight in this national debate."
Piedmont was the only small college competing in the James Madison Cup out of 36 teams. The team placed 24th overall in their first attempt at this form of debate.
Dr. Betsey Blakeslee, chair of mass communications department, accompanied the students on their trip.
"I am really proud of Piedmont. In several of our rounds we competed with upperclassmen from both Johns Hopkins and Yale. Both those teams placed in the top three all around and we held our own," says Blakeslee. "Dr Moss has done an amazing job of having our small college debate at a national level."
Dr. Janice Moss said she was pleased to have the entire debate team there to see what is involved in this type of debate.
Piedmont's debate team competes in three forms of debate. The first is policy, which includes copious research on a national question debated all year, with speed speaking as a hallmark. Policy debate has a predetermined question, but allows debaters to answer extemporaneously with points given for eloquent delivery. World debate is where debaters from around the globe are given a question of world significance on the spot. They are required to respond based on their general knowledge of world events.
Each of the 10 members of the debate team specialize in the form of debate he or she prefers. Some debaters participate in more than one form.
Moss says she was particularly proud of the freshman team that debated in this tournament.
"I am very excited to debate at James Madison again next year now that we know the ropes."
Tim Hudson brought a unique perspective to the debate. He has lived in Israel for 16 years and is currently an Israeli citizen.
"Our team did not hesitate in asking Michael and Tim to represent our school to debate in the Madison Cup," says debate team president, Ruben Mendez. "We knew these two men had the research and personal experiences to fight in this national debate."
Piedmont was the only small college competing in the James Madison Cup out of 36 teams. The team placed 24th overall in their first attempt at this form of debate.
Dr. Betsey Blakeslee, chair of mass communications department, accompanied the students on their trip.
"I am really proud of Piedmont. In several of our rounds we competed with upperclassmen from both Johns Hopkins and Yale. Both those teams placed in the top three all around and we held our own," says Blakeslee. "Dr Moss has done an amazing job of having our small college debate at a national level."
Dr. Janice Moss said she was pleased to have the entire debate team there to see what is involved in this type of debate.
Piedmont's debate team competes in three forms of debate. The first is policy, which includes copious research on a national question debated all year, with speed speaking as a hallmark. Policy debate has a predetermined question, but allows debaters to answer extemporaneously with points given for eloquent delivery. World debate is where debaters from around the globe are given a question of world significance on the spot. They are required to respond based on their general knowledge of world events.
Each of the 10 members of the debate team specialize in the form of debate he or she prefers. Some debaters participate in more than one form.
Moss says she was particularly proud of the freshman team that debated in this tournament.
"I am very excited to debate at James Madison again next year now that we know the ropes."
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