Advanced Programs
Take debate to the next level
What are the Advanced Programs?
A special program within our summer offerings designed to help debaters sharpen their debate knowledge and skills. Students split their time between a high-level seminar on an important and relevant issue or topic and debating with an expert instructor in preparation for the transition to debate in college.
Who are the Advanced Programs for?
Designed for high school students who are hungry for an intensive, fast-paced learning experience. Students will be working with peers of a similar debate experience level (see track descriptions below), but all programs are academically challenging and assume an ability to engage with high-level thinking.
That is why all students must apply to participate in the Advanced Programs.
Small, collegiate-level seminars led by expert instructors focusing on a particularly relevant global issue. Students immerse themselves in learning and discussion around their chosen subject.
Topic Descriptions
Open Borders, Open Questions: Analyzing Contemporary Immigration Policies
Week 1 Topic Description: Across the political spectrum, it is commonly said that America is a nation of immigrants. Yet, discussions of immigration and border policy are among the most contentious in our politics. Indeed, it is one of the key issues for voters in the lead up to the 2024 US Presidential Election. In these discussions, strong moral imperatives to fairness and compassion clash with huge practical difficulties. Are borders morally arbitrary, while still being necessary for a functional polity? How does an open border affect citizens, and non-citizens? In this class, we will tackle these questions around open borders, immigration policy, exploring fundamental issues about the implications that immigration policy carries morally, philosophically, economically, and politically.
Dollars and Sense: Understanding Economic Principles and the Economy
Week 3 Topic Description: From the global financial crisis to today's persistently high inflation, the economy has frequently taken center stage in our lives and politics. For example, in this election cycle, inflation has consistently polled as the most pressing issue for the average American. Moreover, economic forces are not only important in themselves, but also substantively impact geopolitics, social tensions, and our ability to innovate. Given that importance, this course aspires to equip students with a basic understanding of the structure of modern economies--including the sources of growth and inflation, where money comes from, the role of the central banks, and more. The goal is not only to improve economic literacy, but to give students a powerful lens through which they can try to understand a wide variety of human activity.
Past topics have included: The Science and Philosophy of Happiness; Environmental Justice; AI: the Alien We Built; Race, Money and Inequality in the United States educational system; Game Theory and Collective Action problems
Apply for Advanced Camps here
Topic Schedule
Week 1: June 24 - 28
Open Borders, Open Questions: Analyzing Contemporary Immigration Policies
Week 3: July 8 - 12
Dollars and Sense: Understanding Economic Principles and the Economy
Tracks
Students are placed in the appropriate group based on their application
Intensive debate technique instruction, designed for groups of students with similar levels of debate experience.
Transition to Collegiate Debate
An exciting opportunity for debaters looking to transition to collegiate debating or to bring their skills and knowledge base to that level. Taught by a highly experienced and successful debate coach.
Appropriate for highly experienced older debaters (rising juniors, seniors and college freshmen) who has achieved regular success at regional, national and international competitions.
Advanced Intermediate
Group designed for high school debaters who want to really focus on improving their competitive game.
Appropriate for experienced high school debaters of any age. Experienced rising 9th graders will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Advanced Topic/Intensive Beginner
Combination of Advanced Topics Seminar and accelerated debate instruction
Appropriate for new debaters or those with minimal experience who are interested in the Advanced Topics Seminars subjects and are willing learning debate at an accelerated pace
Teacher
Sinan Ozbay
Sinan graduated from Princeton with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a masters in finance. He is now working as a researcher in computational biology at Duke. While an undergraduate student, he served as the president of the Princeton Debate Panel. In APDA, He holds the record as the youngest person to become the American Parliamentary Debate Association National Champion. In British Parliamentary debate, he was the runner-up at the World Universities Debating Competition. He also competed extensively in Public Forum debate during high school, championing and top speaking at the Harvard Round Robin Tournament. He is extremely excited to be coming back to teach!
Advanced Programs Fee: $150
Fee is in addition to regular summer program tuition. You will be not be charged the fee unless your student gets in to our advanced programs.
How to Apply:
First click on this link to register and pay the general fee for our summer program. Let us know you are interested in applying for this program by selecting the Program ‘Debate Program with Application for Advanced’ when registering for High School Debate. No additional cost will be added at this point.
Only after registering for the general camp, the camper should apply here for the advanced programs
You will be notified if you have been accepted to the program and, if so, you will be asked to log back into your registration account and pay the additional advanced programs fee of $150.
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