Assignment: Directions for the big debates
Being able to persuasively marshal evidence to fight for your perspective is a crucial skill in international studies (and in many other jobs). Much of international work also involves working together in groups and figuring out how to research projects and write them up. This exercise will hone these skills.
The debate argues about the Three Gorges Dam before the government has decided to do it. Each side will have 15 participants. Those 15 people will then be broken up into subgroups.
Pro dam subgroups are: the local Chinese government (4); the national Chinese government (5); Chinese companies (2); Engineers (2); Urban people (2).
Anti-dam subgroups are: Environmental NGOs and scientists (3); Archeologists (2); Engineers (2); rural residents (8) - 2 elders, 4 middle age, 2 youth.
1. Exchange contact information with your 15 person group and with your sub-group and set up a number of meetings.
2. Read assigned class readings relevant to your debate AHEAD OF TIME.
3. Meet with your group in class to brainstorm research needs and assign out topics to the group.
4. Each person write a 3-page paper from your sub-group's perspective based on YOUR OUTSIDE READING. Make sure you include footnotes/references. Make sure all members of your sub-group have a copy of your paper. About two pages of your paper should distill arguments from your outside readings to help you argue for your perspective. About one page of your paper should include arguments attacking the other group to help you argue against the other side's perspective.
5. Meet with your group outside class to report on your research findings. Figure out how you will organize your presentation. In addition, to coming up with your own arguments, figure out the other team's likely arguments and how you might counter them.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.