Speech and debate topics
Breadcrumb
About
Head to our Crowdfunding Pageto donate, the "Support Speech and Debate" page for other ways to support, and explore this site to see all the incredible work we do. Who We AreThe Cornell Speech and Debate Programis the only university-sponsored speech and debate organization at Cornell. The organization is one of the largest of its kind in the United States, registering students for intercollegiate competition in:
The program is distinctive because it is large, successful, and inclusive of all skill levels. Annual student membership typically exceeds 100 members. Students who compete in each format of speech or debate frequently make it to elimination roundsand bring speaker awards back to Ithaca, which has contributed to a consistently high national and international ranking for Cornell in each type of speech or debate. Our organization is fortunate to receive funding from a variety of sources, including our alumni network and the ILR school. This funding allows the team to support a full team of coaches, all of whom have excelled in their respective formats at the collegiate level. Any Cornell undergraduate can join the team, regardless of their skill level, and coaches regularly coach completely new novices and top varsity competitors as part of the 'big tent' of Cornell Speech and Debate. Cornell Speech and Debate believes that the skills and experience that students gain from intercollegiate competition also prepares them to apply those skills in the overall campus intellectual community and in important social contexts. The list of CSD outreach is ever-evolving, but some past initiatives have included:
For many of our members, this is not only a debate and speech organization but also a close-knit family. Regardless of whether you are new or old to Cornell, or simply looking around, we invite you to learn more about our program. Ourprogram is open to all Cornell students regardless of previous experience or course of study. Feel free to contact any of the coaching staff ormembers of the student leadership should you have any questions. The entire CSD program has weekly meetings during academic fall and spring semesters - attend a meeting or email a coach or eboard member for more information. Program LeadershipThe Speech and Debate program at Cornell University is a co-curricular program boasting world-class faculty and staff with combined teaching and coaching experience of 60+ years. Along with graduate assistants (GAs) who serve as assistant coaches and enrolled in the ILR School graduate program, the Speech and Debate staff hold national and global achievements, and provide top-notch argumentation, debate, and persuasive communication instruction.
|