In-class debate
09.29.2004Tomorrow, my students debate whether the Iraq was justified or not. I'll sit on the sidelines (or play devil's advocate for both sides). The debate's based on a Reason Online Debate re-printed in our discussion reader, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World Politics. The two authors (John Mueller & Brink Lindsey) debated online before the war (January 2003); it's still available here.
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UPDATE: The discussion went really well; no one shouted or name-called. We also tied the discussion to issues raised in The Fog of War. I followed the usual format of having students "pro" sit on one side of the room, students "con" on the other. Few changed positions during the discussion (they're allowed to move around if swayed one way or another). I was, however, surprised about 60% of the class took the "Iraq war was justified" position.
Posted by Miguel at 05:41 PM
Comments
It'd be cool if you could get their permission to audio blog portions of it on the class blog.--s
Posted by: j.scott barnard at September 30, 2004 10:25 AM
I don't think I'd audioblog a class. It'd be interesting, but I'm a bit uncomfortable about that from a pedagological perspective (it would change the dynamic if the debate were "public").
Posted by: Miguel at September 30, 2004 12:34 PM
Of course it would. Hadn't thought of that. Glad it went well for you. --s
Posted by: j.scott barnard at October 1, 2004 12:52 PM