THE COLLEGE BOWL

A Whole New Level...

The Ethics Bowl Like It Has Never Been Done Before

 

It’s finally here! With the explosive success of the High School Bowl, demand for the competition has expanded to the collegiate level. 2025 will kick off Canada’s first College Ethics Bowl, rallying students across the country to a world-class arena of ideas and ideals.

 

 

Dates and Deadlines

First, teams from around the country will compete at a large, virtual qualifying tournament, emerging from which will be the top 8 national teams who will compete at the first Ethics Bowl Canada College Event, this year held in Toronto, Ontario in June. The College Bowl will take place during The Congress for Humanities and Social Sciences, one of the world’s largest, professional academic gatherings. 

Registration Deadline: December 4, 2024

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Virtual Qualifiers: Saturday, January 25

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Nationals: June 2025 (exact date TBD)

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Evaluation Criteria

Each match is scored by a single (and sometimes a full panel) of judges. Judges are typically humanities faculty and graduate students. 

Each match is scored using the Ethics Bowl Canada. Looking for how to prepare? How to win? How to impress? Review the rubric. 

Match Structure

Team A Presentation (5 minutes)

During the presentation, Team A outlines their view on the case. Presentations contain a clear answer to the moderator’s question, a thesis statement, supporting reasons, objections, and responses.

Team B Commentary (3 minutes)

During the commentary section, Team B probes into Team A’s presentation, focusing on one or two aspects of the presentation where Team A could improve or develop a deeper understanding of the case. The Commentary is NOT a Q&A.

Team A Response (3 minutes)

Team A responds to Team B’s commentary. Team A may modify, change, or defend their original position.

Judge Q&A (10 minutes)

The judge(s) ask 1-3 three questions, but only for Team A. The questions should be framed as challenges for Team A to address.

Switch

At this point the teams change roles with Team A becoming the Commenter and Team B becoming the Presenter. A new case is introduced for the second half of the match.

National College Championships

2025 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences 
George Brown College, Toronto Ontario

In June, the top 8 teams from the qualifiers will compete in person at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Canada’s largest academic gathering. All teams will receive a free, all-access pass to the entire conference. 

Learn more about Congress here.

Congress 2025 will be hosted at George Brown College in Downtown Toronto.