FAQs

What is GWDebate?

The GWU Debate & Literary Society is a co-curricular academic society that uses dialogue, debate, and deliberation as tools for engagement, service, and learning.

What type of debate do you do?

In addition to developing and supporting debate, dialogue, and deliberation initiatives with local, national, and international partners, we compete in civic debate tournaments. More specifically we organize intercollegiate debate tournaments and events with other colleges and universities through the annual Civic Debate Conference. Civic Debate is a collection of best practices for developing debate formats designed to promote engagement, service and learning while effectively simulating the professional and civic communications environments students will face as professionals and citizens  Most of the tournaments we attend involve two-person teams and research-based, cross examination debate, but we generally do 3-4 events/ year in other formats. 

What is the time commitment to participate?

10-12 hours/week, not including travel and tournaments which generally happens on weekends. To register for tournaments and be funded for travel, you must demonstrate commitment to the team by showing up for weekly practices, completing weekly assignments, and collaborating with your team members. Failure to complete in the required preparation will result in being dropped from tournaments or having your travel privileges suspended.

Do I need high school debate experience to join?

No! If you don't have high school debate experience, don't worry!  Many of our members join with no prior debate experience; we will give you the training and resources you need to succeed.

How do I join?

By attending our weekly meetings. After you attend two meetings in a row, we'll add you to our email group. If you are interested, fill out our Google Form and we will contact you. 

When do you meet?

During the academic year we meet every Sunday from 10 AM to 12 PM. 

What's the difference between civic debate and other types of debate?

Civic debate generally combines traditional debate tournament practices with civic engagement. This often includes using topic experts and stakeholders as judges for elimination rounds. Civic debate also seeks to promote student publication, service and development. Our public dialogue projects we apply our debate skills in a manner altogether different than high school debate, because our mission isn’t centered around winning, but using dialogue as a tool for engagement, service, and learning.

What are some examples of Civic Debate?

Historically, we have participated in events like the NASA Astrobiology Debates, the Lafayette Debates, the Mvubu Debates, and the Elysee Treaty Debates. These were all intercollegiate civic debate tournaments or involved a series of intercollegiate civic debate tournaments, on topics selected by civic partners such as NASA and the Embassy of France. 

How often do you compete?  How often do you travel?  Where do you travel? 

Most students do 2-4 events per semester. We generally offer 4-5 opportunities in the Fall, 5-6 opportunities in the Spring, and 1-2 summer programs. In 2024, we competed at civic debate tournaments in Los Angeles, New York City, DC, Miami, and Newark.

What is the difference between GWDebate and a student organization?

Students organizations receive their funding from student government and are administered by the organization's student-members. GWDebate is a co-curricular academic society, not a student organization.  Among other things this means our members may receive academic credit and scholarships, most of our national and international travel costs are fully covered, and we are assisted in administering our society by a professional director of debate.