Due to the changes in the schedule the last week of the semester, I had to alter our final assignments. For the final debates, you have the following assignments:
1. Final Debate against a classmate--100 pts. possible
2. Completing a debate ballot--50 pts. possible
3. Reflective Writing Final--100 pts. possible
Nearly all students have participated in at least one debate. Nearly all students have completed at least one ballot. The reflective writing is due by the end of the school day on Thursday (No late work accepted after Thursday at 2:30 PM).
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Final Debate Tournament
Due to numerous schedule conflicts during the last week of the semester with other classes/activities, I am canceling our interclass debates. We will have debates within the class to ensure all students have an opportunity to debate and write at least one ballot/critique. During the last week, you will have a final with reflective writings about the debate class. The questions will be released on Friday and the writings must be turned in by the end of school on Thursday. The writings will be evaluated based on detail, writing in complete sentences and paragraphs, spelling, grammar, etc.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Resolutions translated into plain language...
Resolution #1--Violent/excessive action to protect our way of life (democracy) can be ok.
Resolution #2--The opinion of the majority is more important than the rights of an individual.
Resolution #3--Humanity is basically good.
Resolution #2--The opinion of the majority is more important than the rights of an individual.
Resolution #3--Humanity is basically good.
Friday, December 4, 2009
How Are You Being Judged for Final Debates?
FYI
One the Final Debate ballots, the following questions are asked:
1. How did the debators support their arguments with facts, statistics and/or expert opinion?
2. Describe the effectiveness and organization of the debaters' delivery.
3. Describe how the debaters counter and/or clash with each other.
4. How effective were the debaters during cross-examination?
Each question will be rated on a 25 point scale (100 points possible). Everyone gets a score for one debate. If a person loses in his/her first debate, then the person will complete at least three ballots of other debates, completing comments on both debaters.
One the Final Debate ballots, the following questions are asked:
1. How did the debators support their arguments with facts, statistics and/or expert opinion?
2. Describe the effectiveness and organization of the debaters' delivery.
3. Describe how the debaters counter and/or clash with each other.
4. How effective were the debaters during cross-examination?
Each question will be rated on a 25 point scale (100 points possible). Everyone gets a score for one debate. If a person loses in his/her first debate, then the person will complete at least three ballots of other debates, completing comments on both debaters.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Spelling It Out--Part Two
I am posting a sample affirmative case on a value resolution. I will be up front in saying the evidence is not correct so do not use it in your debates. This sample is to show you what an affirmative case should look /sound like.
Resolution: Money is the root of all evil
The Broadway musical, Cabaret, tells us money makes the world go round and singer Cyndi Laupher says, "Money changes everything..." however is the almighty dollar the motivation for all evil? I support the resolution, "Money is the root of all evil." To clarify the parameters of today's debate, I offer the following definitions from the Oxford English Dicitionary Online Edition:
Money--a symbolic representation of wealth using coin or paper.
root--at the base level or the core of something
all--everything or prevelance
evil-- a concept of sin representing destructive, unjust or wrong ideas or actions
In order to focus the affirmative position in today''s debate, I will center my arguments around the following thesis:
Vested intrests and greed in the attainment of wealth is the core of immoral actions
My first argument focuses on the premise that mankind's actions are based on vested interest. Abraham Maslow identified human needs in terms of a hierarchy of need. The foundation of human needs is called, base needs--those items needed for survival. These items are material objects like food, water, shelter, etc. In any modern society, material objects needed for survival have value and require a form of wealth to obtain the objects. The obvious representation of wealth in modern society is money, hence, possessing money is paramount to survival. People will take action, either moral or immoral, to attain items for survival. Maslow's concept of needs demonstrates survival is the basic need, and mankind will take action to ensure his need. Any action taken construed as evil can be interpreted as an attempt to obtain base needs for survival.
With man's need to possess items for survival being paramount, the natural consequence of coveting possessions is greed. The anti-hero Gordon Gekko in the movie, Wall Street tells us, "Greed...is good, greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of evolutionary spirit." While not the moral highpoint of man's character, Gekko's rhetoric about man's action is the more realistic and relevant in modern society. To ensure man's survival through the attainment of base needs, the primary emotion needed for success is greed. Gekko's commentary about 1980s America seems dark, but it also tells a success story that is the basis for the largest economy and the wealthiest nation on the planet. With greed the primary motivating factor in our society and the possession of wealth being the one certain way to ensure survival, evil is the likely consequence. Greed and evil go hand-in-hand together down the road of evolutionary development.
We see that "Money is the root of all evil" through the desire of objects needed for survival the the human emotion, greed, as the motivating factor in our character. We may not like to admit the evolutionary skeletons in our closet, yet those skeletons are not only the dark side of our nature, but also the trait that may best ensure our survival.
Resolution: Money is the root of all evil
The Broadway musical, Cabaret, tells us money makes the world go round and singer Cyndi Laupher says, "Money changes everything..." however is the almighty dollar the motivation for all evil? I support the resolution, "Money is the root of all evil." To clarify the parameters of today's debate, I offer the following definitions from the Oxford English Dicitionary Online Edition:
Money--a symbolic representation of wealth using coin or paper.
root--at the base level or the core of something
all--everything or prevelance
evil-- a concept of sin representing destructive, unjust or wrong ideas or actions
In order to focus the affirmative position in today''s debate, I will center my arguments around the following thesis:
Vested intrests and greed in the attainment of wealth is the core of immoral actions
My first argument focuses on the premise that mankind's actions are based on vested interest. Abraham Maslow identified human needs in terms of a hierarchy of need. The foundation of human needs is called, base needs--those items needed for survival. These items are material objects like food, water, shelter, etc. In any modern society, material objects needed for survival have value and require a form of wealth to obtain the objects. The obvious representation of wealth in modern society is money, hence, possessing money is paramount to survival. People will take action, either moral or immoral, to attain items for survival. Maslow's concept of needs demonstrates survival is the basic need, and mankind will take action to ensure his need. Any action taken construed as evil can be interpreted as an attempt to obtain base needs for survival.
With man's need to possess items for survival being paramount, the natural consequence of coveting possessions is greed. The anti-hero Gordon Gekko in the movie, Wall Street tells us, "Greed...is good, greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of evolutionary spirit." While not the moral highpoint of man's character, Gekko's rhetoric about man's action is the more realistic and relevant in modern society. To ensure man's survival through the attainment of base needs, the primary emotion needed for success is greed. Gekko's commentary about 1980s America seems dark, but it also tells a success story that is the basis for the largest economy and the wealthiest nation on the planet. With greed the primary motivating factor in our society and the possession of wealth being the one certain way to ensure survival, evil is the likely consequence. Greed and evil go hand-in-hand together down the road of evolutionary development.
We see that "Money is the root of all evil" through the desire of objects needed for survival the the human emotion, greed, as the motivating factor in our character. We may not like to admit the evolutionary skeletons in our closet, yet those skeletons are not only the dark side of our nature, but also the trait that may best ensure our survival.
Step-By-Step Directions
For those who need specific directions to follow, in order to prepare for your final debates, work these steps:
1. READ ALL THE POSTS ON THIS BLOGSITE SINCE NOVEMBER 23rd. There is a bunch of information related to your final debates including affirmative and negative ideas to research, how to refute or respond to arguments and ideas, events and people related to the topics
2. DEFINITIONS--Look up definitions for all vague or unfamiliar terms and have them available in your debate. This allows you to set the boundaries of the resolution
3. GRAMMATICAL CONTEXT--Look at each resolution and identify the parts of speech (noun, verb, etc.) and modifying phrases in the resolution. This ensures you do not misinterpret the resolution and solidifies the areas to argue.
4. BRAINSTORM IDEAS--Take time with a group of people and brainstorm arguments, ideas, and events that support and oppose the resolution. Be sure to write down all ideas. This helps you anticipate arguments and gives you ideas for follow-up.
5. RESEARCH & DEVELOP--Using your brainstorm lists, research and find evidence and take the time to edit and summarize the events or concepts. You are wanting data in 10-20 second segments
6. OUTLINE--Develop an outline and insert your evidence where it supports your arguments. Ideally you want an affirmative presentation approx. 3 min., 40 sec. long. Your negative should be approx. 3 min so you have time to refute or respond to the affirmatiive presentation.
7. ORGANIZE EVIDENCE--You will want to organize your materials so you can find them quickly. Remember you want to be able to find and retreive your materials within a few seconds because you only have 5 min. of prep before you debate.
8. ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK FOR HELP--There are people around you who could question you about your case or listen to your prepared arguments. Teachers in other subjects can also give you ideas.
9. TIME YOURSELF AS YOU SPEAK OUT LOUD--Not only is this a practice run, but it lets you know whether to cut or add evidence.
1. READ ALL THE POSTS ON THIS BLOGSITE SINCE NOVEMBER 23rd. There is a bunch of information related to your final debates including affirmative and negative ideas to research, how to refute or respond to arguments and ideas, events and people related to the topics
2. DEFINITIONS--Look up definitions for all vague or unfamiliar terms and have them available in your debate. This allows you to set the boundaries of the resolution
3. GRAMMATICAL CONTEXT--Look at each resolution and identify the parts of speech (noun, verb, etc.) and modifying phrases in the resolution. This ensures you do not misinterpret the resolution and solidifies the areas to argue.
4. BRAINSTORM IDEAS--Take time with a group of people and brainstorm arguments, ideas, and events that support and oppose the resolution. Be sure to write down all ideas. This helps you anticipate arguments and gives you ideas for follow-up.
5. RESEARCH & DEVELOP--Using your brainstorm lists, research and find evidence and take the time to edit and summarize the events or concepts. You are wanting data in 10-20 second segments
6. OUTLINE--Develop an outline and insert your evidence where it supports your arguments. Ideally you want an affirmative presentation approx. 3 min., 40 sec. long. Your negative should be approx. 3 min so you have time to refute or respond to the affirmatiive presentation.
7. ORGANIZE EVIDENCE--You will want to organize your materials so you can find them quickly. Remember you want to be able to find and retreive your materials within a few seconds because you only have 5 min. of prep before you debate.
8. ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK FOR HELP--There are people around you who could question you about your case or listen to your prepared arguments. Teachers in other subjects can also give you ideas.
9. TIME YOURSELF AS YOU SPEAK OUT LOUD--Not only is this a practice run, but it lets you know whether to cut or add evidence.
LAST CHANCE EXTRA CREDIT
You may bring canned food or non-perishable food in for extra credit points until Dec. 9th. Remember you receive 2 points per item up to 50 items. You can only make one submission so make sure you have all the cans you want to turn in together at one time.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Outline Template for Final Debates
The structure of a constructive speech for your final debates will be very similar to the outline of Student Congress debates. The major difference will be in the Negative constructive speech and rebuttals. You need to directly refute the arguments of your opponents. You can refute an opponent's argument in the following manner:
According to Joe Bob's statement in part two, section A of his speech, "Man is a selfish being." I have two responses:
1. If man is selfish, then why is is the most common relationship among humans is marriage? According to David Hume, "the natural relationship in humankind is the connection between partners at the physical, emotional, and spiritual state." Hume shows we need connections with another in order to exist.
2. Job Bob completely ignores the altruistic characteristics of people. John Dewey in his work Democracy and Education explains people naturally emphatize with others when the other person is in distress. If man is wholly selfish he/she would never demonstrate altruistic behavior.
In each example, Joe Bob's opponent directs the audience to the major argument responses (Claim), provides rationale from philosophers to support the responses (data), and explains how the data proves his/her point (warrant).
The structure of a constructive speech for your final debates will be very similar to the outline of Student Congress debates. The major difference will be in the Negative constructive speech and rebuttals. You need to directly refute the arguments of your opponents. You can refute an opponent's argument in the following manner:
According to Joe Bob's statement in part two, section A of his speech, "Man is a selfish being." I have two responses:
1. If man is selfish, then why is is the most common relationship among humans is marriage? According to David Hume, "the natural relationship in humankind is the connection between partners at the physical, emotional, and spiritual state." Hume shows we need connections with another in order to exist.
2. Job Bob completely ignores the altruistic characteristics of people. John Dewey in his work Democracy and Education explains people naturally emphatize with others when the other person is in distress. If man is wholly selfish he/she would never demonstrate altruistic behavior.
In each example, Joe Bob's opponent directs the audience to the major argument responses (Claim), provides rationale from philosophers to support the responses (data), and explains how the data proves his/her point (warrant).
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What Can I Have For Resources?
Just letting you know, you can bring whatever you can carry that is in print. (Sorry, no electronic devices allowed during the preparation or the round). If you bring in a wagonload of dictionaries, encyclopedias and books, that is fine by me. Realistically, you can probably get away with these items:
A Good Dictionary
A Good Book of Quotations
A Book on the US Constitution and Important Supreme Court Cases
A Dictionary, Encyclopedia or other overview of famous philosophers
Having notes of particular historical or cultural events that relate to the debate resolutions will also be a plus. Keep in mind you only have 5 minutes to prepare and during the round you only have 2 minutes of prep time. Remember that all of these resources only provide your data or rationale, you still need to come up with the claims and warrants to make your arguments. If you forgot...
Claim--What you are trying to prove
Data/Source--The information that supports your claim and the source of your data
Warrant--Explanation of how your data proves your claim
Sample
Claim---The world is round
Data--According to photographic images provided by NASA during the Apollo missions, the pictures show a round Earth
Warrant--Because we have NASA's photographs of the Earth, we know the world is round.
A Good Dictionary
A Good Book of Quotations
A Book on the US Constitution and Important Supreme Court Cases
A Dictionary, Encyclopedia or other overview of famous philosophers
Having notes of particular historical or cultural events that relate to the debate resolutions will also be a plus. Keep in mind you only have 5 minutes to prepare and during the round you only have 2 minutes of prep time. Remember that all of these resources only provide your data or rationale, you still need to come up with the claims and warrants to make your arguments. If you forgot...
Claim--What you are trying to prove
Data/Source--The information that supports your claim and the source of your data
Warrant--Explanation of how your data proves your claim
Sample
Claim---The world is round
Data--According to photographic images provided by NASA during the Apollo missions, the pictures show a round Earth
Warrant--Because we have NASA's photographs of the Earth, we know the world is round.
Final Debates--Philosophers R Us
While philosophy can be difficult to read and more difficult to understand, knowing a little about philosophers and their ideas may be very helpful in the final debates. I would not suggest you try to read the original works, but try to find summaries, encyclopedia, or dictionary explanations of the following philosophers and their ideas:
Thomas Hobbes--Social Contract
Georg Hegel--Dialectic
Immanuel Kant--Morality
Jean Jacques Rousseau--General Will
John Locke--Freedom
John Stuart Mill--On Liberty, Utilitarianism, "tyranny of the majority"
GE Moore--concept of "good"
Max Weber--Comments on freedom
This is by no means a complete list, but it is meant to steer you in direction of people and their ideas that are relevant to our final debate topics.
Thomas Hobbes--Social Contract
Georg Hegel--Dialectic
Immanuel Kant--Morality
Jean Jacques Rousseau--General Will
John Locke--Freedom
John Stuart Mill--On Liberty, Utilitarianism, "tyranny of the majority"
GE Moore--concept of "good"
Max Weber--Comments on freedom
This is by no means a complete list, but it is meant to steer you in direction of people and their ideas that are relevant to our final debate topics.
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