February 15, 2012 - 2:27am
Campus Club: Detroit Urban Debate Education
BY CHELSEA HOEDL
While debate in the form of heated classroom discussions and formal competitions are a major component of University life, Detroit Urban Debate Education — a student club and certified non-profit organization — seeks to expand educational and debate opportunities for Detroit high-school students.
The club travels weekly to high schools to teach students the fundamentals of formulating and executing an argument. According to LSA junior Miray Karabulut, the club’s assistant director, members act as assistant coaches by developing lesson plans, giving lectures, creating interactive exercises, performing speed drills and teaching research techniques.
Karabulut said most members have a background in debate, however those without prior experience are encouraged to take a suggested sociology course to learn the basics. She stressed the importance of debate for all students.
LSA sophomore David Seidman, a club member, echoed Karabulut’s sentiments and said being able to effectively articulate arguments is a valuable skill to have at both the high school and college level.
“We want to make sure that every one of these kids that wants to go to college has the means to succeed in terms of both presenting a strong application, but also, once they’re in college, having the ability to build on the education they have from high school,” Seidman said.
Karabulut said coaching the students has been a memorable experience and that she was surprised by how receptive the students in Detroit were to learning more about debate.
“I expected the kids to be stubborn and opposed to the activities, but what I found was that the kids in Detroit who I was teaching were very engaged, very interested, very into learning,” Karabulut said.
