CALL OF THE LOON 2013
Theory & Criticism Seminar
Announcing this year’s Loon Call- the Theory & Criticism Seminar hosted at UC-Irvine. This year’s Loon will continue in the tradition that has helped produce debaters like Ryan Wash (Emporia State), Elijah Smith (Emporia State), Ben Morgan (Towson), Kyla Sommers (George Washington), Chris Leonardi (Oklahoma), Ignacio Evans (Towson), Edmund Zagorim (Michigan), Kaine Cherry (Oklahoma), Chris Spurlock (UTSA), Marvin Carter (CSU-Fullerton).
LOGISTICS AND DETAILS
Location: UC-Irvine. Housing will be provided on campus and is included in the cost of tuition. Students will live in double occupancy dormitory rooms in a dorm exclusively reserved for students of the seminar.
Dates: July 29-August 11.
Cost: $1200
Pay through PayPal:
Or write a check made out to “Performance Debate Institute”
Mail that check to:
Nicholas Brady
3000 Humanities Gateway
University of California, Irvine, CA
92697-6850
Faculty: Rashad Evans, Amber Kelsie, David Peterson.
Administrators: Nicholas Brady
PEDAGOGICAL ORIENTATION
This is a unique debate camp designed to account for the changing nature of debate by prioritizing theory and criticism over topic and policy analysis. To be sure, the topic, resolution and policy analysis will be a part of the camp, but won’t be the primary focus. Students who attend the Theory & Criticism can expect:
Graduate School Model. This is more of a debate seminar than a camp. The camp will be divided by areas of interest and not skill level and will be heavy in reading and discussion.
Guest Lecture from Professor Jared Sexton. This year’s camp is privileged to be located at the University of California, Irvine, home to the central theorists of Afro-Pessimism. Jared Sexton will be among many critical theorist who will give lectures at the camp on this year’s topic.
Creating A+ debaters. The focus will be on the three As of performance studies: Artistry, Analysis and Activism.
Three Tier Method. Faculty and debaters will be encouraged to incorporate academics, organic intellectuals and personal experience into their analysis of debate and the topic.
Knowledge Production over Knowledge Consumption. Students will be encouraged to approach debate and the topic from a unique perspective and produce a work product that is not merely a debate file filled with “cards,” but instead reflective of the students analysis.
Debate as an Object of Study. The camp will focus on applying critical theories to the practice of debate. While most camps looks at the resolution as an object of study, this camp will focus on debate as its object. Included in that, of course, is the topic and resolution.
Debater Focus. This camp is about the students and helping them to develop as debaters, potential future graduate students and individuals. The faculty will provide leadership, guidance and supervision, but the students will be in control of the specificity of their arguments. Much like graduate school, the debaters are expected to arrive with some general research project in mind.
Open Mic. Keeping in tradition. Every night will include an open mic session for students and faculty to share their thoughts and talents.
Registration Information
If you wish to sign up for the camp please please apply here.
Call of the Loon IV 