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Economics Masterclass

adam — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:05:39 +0000

This past Sunday’s Economics Masterclass aimed to equip students to explore the economic forces which govern so much of our daily lives. Through a mixture of teaching, discussion and structured debate, the group gained a nuanced appreciation of economic policy-making. Primarily they explored the effect of incentives on the decision-making of a range of actors from government to companies to the end consumer.

We began by looking at how market mechanisms function in allocating resources, and how they fail to do so in a socially optimal fashion in certain conditions or in markets for particular kinds of good. For me, a particularly interesting discussion centred on unpacking the numerous reasons why healthcare would be underdemanded under purely free market conditions. We explored policy solutions for market failure and their drawbacks, before concluding the morning with an interactive, group-based exercise whereby students had to consider the privatisation of various industries and how government and firms should interact in providing them so as to maximise welfare.

In the afternoon we broadened our focus beyond individual markets, beginning with an examination of the causes of absolute and relative poverty and potential policy solutions. We then turned to the macro-economy, and students gained the theoretical tools to understand the make-up and functioning of the current recession. The whole day was rounded off with three debates on key macro policy issues: the structure of the tax system, central bank independence and, especially topically, how we choose to finance our country’s deficits. The students showed a capacity to reason their way to distinctive and imaginative conclusions and to defend and criticise these conclusions. By moving beyond the standard arguments of exam-oriented school courses, and examining the value judgments lying behind economic proposals, students got closer to the real world logic of economic practice – deepening their understanding of how markets and incentive structures function..

Find more information about our Economics and Finance events here.

Young Doctors Weekend

adam — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:36:39 +0000

This past weekend, a group of budding young medics gathered at the University of London Union to learn about the world of medicine. The day started with an introduction to ‘Dealing with Patients’ where the students were given the opportunity to question a ‘patient’ and make a diagnosis based on their findings. In the afternoon, the Young Doctors learnt about Medical Imaging including X-rays, CT scans, Fluoroscopies and MRI scans. Students were guided through the advantages and disadvantages of these tests and learn how to detect illnesses simply by looking at medical images. The final session introduced the skill of suturing, an important skill for doctors to learn in emergency medicine and the class all managed to stitch up a ‘wound’ using the simple interrupted stitch.

On the second day, the students participated in a lively Chat Show exercise where the students explored the Medical Ethics considerations involved in giving consent for treatment. Finally, the Young Doctors learnt about Neurology including how the Brain and Spinal Cord function, the role of synapses and the way the Central Nervous System interacts with your senses and reflexes. The class tested their practical skills by testing for defects in Hearing – using the Weber and Rinne tests, Vision and the Patella Reflex.

Mock International Court Weekend

adam — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:56:41 +0000

This past weekend at Birkbeck University in central London, a group of 16 students gathered to participate in the Debate Chamber Mock International Court Weekend. Over the course of two days the students got a chance to learn about international law, international criminal justice and how legal systems operate across countries. After learning about international trials resulting from previous wars and conflicts, students learned about how prosecutors in the Hague attempt to prosecute perpetrators of war crimes and those who commit genocide. On the second day students received training in how to speak in court. They learned how to make speeches, how to present evidence and how most importantly, to question witnesses. The Weekend concluded with the Mock International Court Trial. The defendant, Mr Shrub was accused of genocide and murder as a crime against humanity. On the first charge the defence were successful as the court found insufficient evidence to convict Mr Shrub, but he was not so lucky on the second charge. Due to his position as President of Rubria and head of the armed forces, the court held that he was guilty of murder as a crime against humanity. If you would like the opportunity to participate in our next Mock International Court Weekend or for more information on all of our law courses, visit the main law page!

International Relations Masterclass

adam — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:35:22 +0000

How do we explain the rise of terrorism? How has 9/11 changed the world? What is the United Nations doing to secure world peace – and what should it be doing? At Debate Chamber’s IR Masterclass, students engaged in a seminar on different analysis structures for IR, ranging from liberal approaches to Marxist ones. The group then applied their new skills of analysis to recent conflicts such as the Israel-Lebanon war.

Students also got the opportunity to learn about (and debate about) international institutions, their role in the world and what problems they may in fact create. In the afternoon, the group got to grips with issues involving terrorism in the modern age through a case study from the United States, post 9/11.

By the end of the day, the students had a much better grasp of the nature of IR study at university as well as a greater understanding of the way in which international issues can be examined and analysed.

For more information on other events in the fields of IR and Politics click here!

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Young Lawyers argue their case

adam — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:10:14 +0000

This past weekend a group of bright young students gathered in central London to spend time learning about the law, specifically about criminal law, the trial process and the justice system. On Saturday the group began with a discussions about what makes a law, where we get them from and the various purposes which they serve. After this the group learned how a crime moves forward to the trial and all of the legal steps in between.

Later in the afternoon the students examined what makes up a specific crime and how such laws are actually written.The group discussed a variety of offences including theft and assault before considering various fact situations and possible crimes committed within them. Late on Saturday the group learned how to question witnesses and how to build a strategy to use in court – these were skills they would need for their trial the next day.

The group was split into teams and give case papers so they were acting for either the Crown on in defence of an accused person. In their teams they worked out their strategies for questioning the victim, the defendant and their respective witnesses. Later on Sunday the teams faced donned their wigs and gowns and faced off against each other in two Mock Trials. The defence team were victorious in one trial, securing a not guilty verdict for both of their client, with the prosecution successfully getting a conviction in the other trial.

By the end of the weekend the students had lots about the criminal justice system, how a court case works and how to argue a case in front of a judge. There were some excellent questioning and speeches during the trials. I have no doubt that some of these students will become big players in the legal scene in years to come!

Find out more about all of our Law events!

Autumn Law School

adam — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:08:22 +0000

Last week a group of bright, enthusiastic students gathered in central London to take part in the Debate Chamber Law Autumn School. Over the course of the 5-day event, the students gained an exposure to many different forms of law, as well as received guidance on potential careers in law, how to apply to law at University and much much more.

The students covered aspets of Family Law, International Law, Human Rights Law as well as a large amount of Criminal Law. The participants also learned skills of advocacy which they put to good use in the Mock Trial, which ended the course.

If you think law is something you might be interested in pursuing, then our variety of law courses could be of great benefit to you.

Visit our main Law page to see more about the upcoming events we will be running.

Notre Dame School Careers Day

adam — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:19:05 +0000

On the 16^th September, the Notre Dame School in Cobham hosted a careers event for their Year 11 students. As part of this Debate Chamber were invited to run three sessions geared at sparking the interest of the students in the areas of Law and PPE.

The day started with the PPE session giving the students an insight in to the interdisciplinary nature of PPE. The students also participated in a philosophical dilemma task where they discussed in groups whether your personal identity is more closely linked to your mind or your body.

The second session of the day was an introduction to life as a Barrister. This allowed the students to test out their advocacy skills. During this, we discussed the theory behind how we criminalise behaviour and the skills required to cross-examining witnesses. In turn, the students were able to apply this knowledge when they demonstrated their cross-examination skills in the traditional wigs and gowns of a Barrister.

The students were also given an overview of the life as a solicitor and learnt about the fascinating and controversial area of Family Law including child welfare, divorce and financial redistribution. To develop their negotiation skills, the students were presented with a case study, which instructed students to be either the husband or wife’s solicitor and were pitted against each other in a battle for the assets.

The day concluded with advice and information about the path to becoming a solicitor or barrister and the various different routes of achieving these careers.

For more information about Debate Chamber law events or PPE events simply click on the subject name!

Young Diplomats Conference

adam — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:38:16 +0000

This past weekend students took part in the London Summit 2010 at the Debate Chamber Young Diplomats Conference. They represented all corners of the globe, and spent the weekend attempting to come to solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. On Saturday morning, students took on the roles of delegates of several countries and regional organisations, including the USA, China, the African Union and the Gulf Arab States. They attended briefings and discussion on four issues of global importance – the fight against climate change, the international regulation of labour standards, the problems of a fictional failed state in Africa (Equatorial Kundu) and the Tobin Tax – a proposed tax on currency and financial transactions which could raise money to help alleviate poverty. The delegates to the London Summit then had to consult the top secret briefings from their foreign ministry, confer with others in their delegation, and take part in the informal negotiations to try and get their point of view across and to try and get their interests represented.

On Sunday, the delegates came to the more formal part of the Summit, where competing resolutions were presented on the different issues, and delegates had to try and convince others to back their version of the resolution and their amendments, using whatever diplomatic means they had at their disposal – be it persuasion, appeals to justice, the promises of aid or cheap oil prices or even the threat of economic sanctions! They also had to respond to breaking news and events occurring during the Summit, which had dramatic consequences for their countries. The students did an excellent job of overcoming their competing interests to find compromise and consensus on several issues, including the environment, the regulation of labour standards and the situation in Equatorial Kundu, although in the end the USA and Gulf States held out to the last against the imposition of a Tobin Tax.

Read the resolutions passed by the young diplomats!

The Young Diplomats Conference will be taking place again on 20th and 21st March, see here for more details or to book a place.

Economics Masterclass

adam — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:28:10 +0000

Sunday’s Economics Masterclass aimed to equip students to uncover and explore the economic forces which lie behind so much of the activity that governs their daily lives. Through a mixture of teaching, discussion and structured debate, the quick-to-learn students came away with a nuanced appreciation of economic policy-making and its effect on the incentives that structure the decision-making of a range of actors from government to firms to consumers.

In the afternoon we broadened our focus beyond individual markets, beginning with an examination of the causes of absolute and relative poverty and potential policy solutions. We then turned to the macro-economy, and students gained the theoretical tools to understand the dynamics of the current recession. The whole day was rounded off with three debates on key macro policy issues: the structure of the tax system, central bank independence and, especially topically, deficit financing. The students showed a capacity to reason their way to distinctive and imaginative conclusions and to defend and criticise these conclusions. By moving beyond the standard arguments of exam-oriented school courses, and examining the value judgments lying behind economic proposals, students got closer to the real world logic of economic practice.

Find more information about our Economics and Finance events here.

Alex Worsnip, Economics Tutor