Stanford National Forensic Institute

Our approach each summer involves thinking of interesting ways to use the topic as a vehicle for teaching students how to compete successfully during the year. Our 3 Week program is designed to improve students’ critical thinking and strategy: taking well-reasoned argument and tying it to evidence researched by the students on any given topic, and enhancing that argument in later rebuttals with strong analysis and expert vision. Moreover, students should walk out of the SNFI experience with a confidence that they can compete in every debate round, regardless of the arguments being made, which in contrast to other institutes, involves working on both policy arguments and critical theory.

Core components of the 3 week curriculum include:

• A broad survey of the 2012-2013 resolution; Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.  This will include an in-depth topic analysis, extensive analysis of affirmative and negative position, and group based discussion about modern theoretical approaches to debate.
• Enhanced focus on skill development over evidence production.  Stanford's 3 week pedagogy is centered on the student rather than the arguments.  Even tho each student will dedicate a portion of their time to researching the topic, there will be a great emphasis on helping students understand argument and how they are developed rather than having students work endless on producing briefs.
• Commitment to debating, at Stanford your student will have many opportunities to practice their craft.  We have committed a large chunk of time in our curriculum for allowing students the opportunity to have practice debates, speeches, constructive redo's of past speeches, and intense one-on-one discussions with their instructors to gain expert advice to help improve their technique and speaking style.  During this year's camp we are looking to add a number of new programs to emphasize this, including a speakers workshop.

In addition to these core components, students will also have access to these other great options:

• Advanced research techniques used by top college and high school coaches
• How to use new paperless file creation and debate software (students will still have opportunity to opt-in to our traditional paper printed system of evidence, as well)
• Personal attention from instructors in other labs.  At Stanford we attempt to create opportunities for every student to spend time developing professional relationships with each and every instructor on the staff.  We feel this approach to debate enhances the overall experience your student will receive from our institute.
• End of Camp Tournament - each student will be able to display their talents against the rest of the camp in a culminating 3 day tournament to conclude the camp.  The semi-final and final rounds are open to the each students families.

Instructional Staff for 2012

David Weston: David is the Director of Debate and head coach at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania. Prior to taking on this position, David debated at the University of Pittsburgh where he made it to the elimination rounds of several tournaments and received a variety speaker awards. In his four years as Cathedral Prep’s director, the policy debate teams have been in the elimination rounds of almost every national tournament in the country including: Wake Forest’s Early Bird, Georgetown Day School, Bronx High School of Science, St. Mark’s Heart of Texas Invitational, University of Michigan, Ohio Valley Invitational, The Southern Bell Forum at Montgomery Bell Academy, Lexington Winter Invitational, the Grand National Catholic Forensic League Tournament and the National Forensic League National Tournament.  Cathedral Prep’s teams have qualified twice for the Tournament of Champions in David’s four years and have been crowned Pennsylvania’s High School Speech League policy debate state champions (2010) and state runner up (2011).

Vinay Pai: Vinay is a sophomore at the University of California-Berkeley where he is studying cultural anthropology and political theory. Vinay debated for the UC-Berkeley debate team as a freshman, reaching the semifinals of the UNLV tournament and quarterfinals of the Harvard tournament. In high school, he was a top-5 speaker and in late elimination rounds at various national circuit tournaments, including finals at Berkeley, semifinals at St. Mark’s and Blake, and quarterfinals at the TOC. Vinay attended the College Preparatory School in Oakland, CA, and was a Sophomore Scholar at the SNFI in 2008.

Samantha Varney: Sam will be a sophomore debater for the University of Texas - Dallas. In high school, Sam debated for Chattahoochee High School before transferring to Glenbrook South. She was an extremely competitive national circuit debater, reaching elimination rounds at many of the tournament she attended along with qualifying for the Tournament of Champions twice. Sam is currently majoring in finance and a UT-Dallas Debate Scholarship recipient.