Topics

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (NSDA Topic for March/April 2023):

Resolved: The justices of the Supreme Court of the United States ought to be term-limited.

Public Forum Debate (NSDA Topic for April 2023):

Resolved: The United States Federal Government should ban the collection of personal data through biometric recognition technology.

Policy Debate (NSDA Topic for 2022-2023):

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.

We will be using the NSDA Novice Case Limits for the 2022-2023 policy debate topic.

• Artificial Intelligence: Restrict development and/or use of Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs)
• Biotechnology: Ban the use of germline genetic engineering in humans
• Biotechnology: Substantially increase funding for vaccine research
• Cyber: Ban offensive cyber operations

World Schools Debate Motions:

Rounds 1 and 2—Prepared Motion—This House would remove veto power from permanent members on the UN Security Council. (Teams debate both sides of the motion.)

Round 3—Impromptu Motion

Round 4—Impromptu Motion

Octofinals—Impromptu Motion (if necessary)

Quarterfinals—Prepared Motion (if necessary)—This House would ban lethal autonomous weapons.

Semifinals—Impromptu Motion

Finals—Prepared Motion—This House would ban the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement officials.

Congressional Debate Docket:

The docket will consist of the following items from the Texas Forensic Association Spring 2023 docket:

Preliminary Round 1: Items 4, 14, 18, 26, 29

Preliminary Round 2 or Semifinals (if necessary): Items 2, 8, 16, 24, 28

Final: Items 1, 5, 15, 19, 27

Extemporaneous Speaking Topic Areas:

Preliminary Round 1: United States Energy/Environment

Preliminary Round 2: Middle East

Quarterfinals: United States Foreign Policy

Semifinals: Southeast Asia

Final: Mixed

Impromptu Speaking Topic Areas (Quotations from or about These Areas):

Preliminary Round 1: Women's Rights

Preliminary Round 2: Science Fiction/Fantasy Books, Movies, and Television Shows

Quarterfinals: Nature/Animals

Semifinals: Justice

Final: Humor/Comedians