The Atlanta Urban Debate League is committed to providing excellent debate education programs, services, and opportunities to diverse students, educators, and members of the community by teaching, empowering, and equipping them with advocacy and life skills necessary to make a profound and positive impact in the world. For more than 30 years, the Atlanta Urban Debate League has cultivated a forum in which local, regional, and national communities can access the skills of critical thinking, research, public presentation, and advocacy through quality debate education. Visit
www.atlantadebate.org
for more information.
During the tournament season (September-April) the AUDL and metro-Atlanta member schools co-host competitions serving elementary school, middle school, and high school students from schools across the metro-Atlanta area. Debaters develop critical thinking and communication skills by participating in debate rounds where they have to advocate for both sides of a topic. Emory students and members of the Atlanta community serve as volunteer judges at tournaments.
The AUDL Theory/Practice/Community seminar convenes several times each semester (1) to discuss a pre-circulated essay on pedagogy theory, (2) to share strategies for successful AUDL site visits, and (3) to reflect on transitions into and out of the space of the university. Previous discussions have centered on Paulo Freire’s account of the banking method of education, Lauren Berlant’s conception of inconvenience, and wealth disparities both at Emory and in American urban centers. AUDL interns attend at least one seminar each semester in preparation for successful engagements with communities around Atlanta.
Become a volunteer
The lasting success of the AUDL would not be possible without volunteers. Volunteers do not need prior debate experience, only the genuine desire to help students develop their voice and critical thinking skills. Some volunteer opportunities include:
Judging at a debate tournament
Tutor at the Digital Debate Center
Instruct at a debate practice at a school
Participate at an Emory Campus Visit
Organize a group volunteer opportunity for a club or organization in AUDL programming
Emory Students can find volunteer opportunities on the
The Hub
.
Emory Employees and Alumni can find volunteer opportunities on
Emory OPEN
.
Debate has engaged my students, both general education and gifted, in conversations about topics beyond the curriculum. My students are becoming better listeners and collaborators. It has taught them to think more critically about what they hear and what they read.
