Issue Paper & Presentation

Each student will be responsible for a particular issue from the Taking Sides text. Find two to three additional readings on your topic, which complement the assigned readings. You should in particular find readings which cover recent developments in your topic area. These additional readings should be distributed to the class one week before you are scheduled to present, and are required reading by everyone.

Paper:
You will write a short paper (5-8 pages) about your topic in which you provide background, identify the various positions, analyze the arguments (based on readings and evidence, not baseless opinions) and, if appropriate, make recommendations. The paper will have a reference page at the end indicating the readings which were part of the effort (both the assigned and additional readings). It is expected that you will use proper APA style.

Presentation & Discussion Leadership:
* Prepare a brief outline (one page maximum) of the readings, to be distributed to the other students before the beginning of class. These outlines should include:
- The most interesting or important points covered by the readings collectively, as well as a brief illustration of each point
- Approximately 5-10 questions that you want to bring up for class discussion

* It would be helpful for you to begin the presentation with an overview of the issue, its history or anything else necessary to help "frame" the issue for discussion. This presentation should outline the history of the issue, the various positions taken and any other material you may deem relevant, based on your research.
* Orchestrate a class discussion to follow your class presentation. You are encouraged to be inventive about the format of this discussion (depending on how you chose to conduct this discussion, you may need to provide advanced notice to other students). Examples could include:
- A debate
- A trial
- Invite a guest to the class, who is an expert on your topic, and orchestrate an interview and discussion with that guest.

You may create a web site to facilitate the preparation and distribution of your presentation material. You are expected to act as the catalyst in the discussion, debate or trial. That may mean stimulating discussion or raising new points to keep the discussion going. At the end, you should try to synthesize the material presented and give a few concluding remarks.

Grading

The Issue Paper and Presentation account for 25 % of your final grade. In the making of that grade, the paper itself will account for 50% and your presentation will account for 50%.

For more information about this web site contact Dr. Steve Anderson at The University of Oklahoma (standers@ou.edu).