Western Debate Union

It's Practical

There are many good reasons for including debate experience as part of your higher education. Employers will look for practical skills in their employees. Those applicants that can demonstrate and ability to think on their feet, express complex ideas verbally, and be able to not just identify problems, but solve them, will be in the highest demand. All of these skills are not just developed in college debate, but honed to a fine level of ability. Debate is not just a resume item. Debate is a real and recognizable skill that employers notice. Even in college you will notice how debate helps you organize assignments and papers for other classes, and the transfer of knowledge between what you learn in debate and what you are learning in your coursework.

 

It's Preparation

Debate is important for those considering post-graduate education. For those considering law school, a majority of law school deans identify debate as an important preparation for the rigors of legal study and practice. Those considering a graduate education in a variety of disciplines will find that not only does debate provide a critical preparation in almost any discipline, but that debate experience can translate into graduate teaching and coaching assistantships that help cover the costs of a masters or doctorate degree. Not to mention the contacts that are created by interacting with persons from all across the nation that may be involved in the graduate program you are interested in pursuing. Western Debate alums are lawyers, educators, business people and activi

 

Unlock Personal Power

Debate is an important personal development tool. The ability to think critically and interact with the information avalanche that is the present is a real priority. Debate will not just teach you about ideas, but how to research and discover ideas in an ever changing body of knowledge where the ideas and facts are in constant flux. The world doesn’t stop after high school, it gets distinctly more interesting, and college debate lets you in on it like nothing else. No matter what you do, you will need to think about, and know, information related to your career, society, and causes of interest. Debate is the key that unlocks personal power and competence.

 

Debate: an Intrinsic Good

Western Debate offers a unique opportunity to interact socially with other inquisitive minds, not just on the campus at Bellingham, but with peers and noted scholars from across the country. Debate is the basis for a unique student centered intellectual community that appreciates and rewards individuals who think ideas are important and that thinking is fun, not a chore to be

avoided. No other campus activity offers you the chance to use your brain and explore ideas in the fun and functional ways that debate can.

 

It's a Limited Time Offer

Unlike many other pursuits or interest you have, once you graduate from college, there are no more opportunities for structured academic debate. After graduation you can always find some people, or join an adult league to shoot some hoops. There are always some people to get together and jam with to fulfill your musical interests. There will be plenty of reasons to get together to socialize and have fun. But there is no more debate. College is your last chance to take part in the thrill and the competition in a challenging and fun academic setting.

• Preparation for Life and Career

• Personal Development

• Refining skills for handling of information