AP US History

Mr. Buggé Chapter 8

Debate Assignment

Debate Preparation Guideline On Friday September 23, 2016 we will have our first debate. You will be broken into groups to debate one of the three topics below. Your job is to research and prepare for all three debates. You will be told which debate and what group you are participating in when you arrive in class. The purpose of this assignment is to practice working on the skill of comparison and contextualization and historical argumentation and use of relevant historical evidence. You should be seeking parallels, if any, between historical and current events while debating how well they influenced the time. This assignment requires you to compare the tea party anger and distaste toward present government with the politics of the whiskey rebellion era. Then prepare to debate how effective each was/is at the time. Do the same for the Patriot Act and the Alien and Sedition Acts, and the Election of 1800 and the Election of 2008. Remember you must be able to compare similarities and differences between each as well as the eras. The questions you should be prepared to debate are:

• The politics during the Federalist Era, and present day, are representative of a nation in disunity.

• The Alien and Sedition Act and the Patriot Act, violate civil liberties.

• The presidential elections of 1800 and 2008 were transformative events in

American politics. All students are required to participate Be prepared to argue both sides (pro and con) of the issue for all three questions. You will be assigned a position and topic at the beginning of class. Groups will be given five minutes to prepare for the debate. Each debate will last no longer than 15 minutes. It will break down as follows: 3 minute opening argument affirmative side – I suggest you use the entire time allotted and be sure you are demonstrating the skills 3 minute opening argument negative side - I suggest you use the entire time allotted and be sure you are demonstrating the skills 2 minute debate

1 minute team conference 2 minute rebuttal negative side – Again make use of all the time given and be sure you are demonstrating the skills 2 minute rebuttal affirmative side – Again make use of all the time given and be sure you are demonstrating the skills Your Job:

1. Research all the material necessary for the debate 2. Prepare a minimum of three Pro and three Con arguments for each of the three

questions above. Provide details with your argument. You can list them as bullet points or rough wording, whatever works for you to help the debate.

3. Provide rebuttal arguments…prepare by thinking what your opponent might argue and be ready to deflect them. All arguments must be typed, printed and ready to hand in at the end of the debate

4. Post Debate Homework – write in Google Classroom a reflection of the assignment. What did you learn? Did you use the skills introduced in class? How? What did you learn about history? Did you see the parallels or were there no connections? Where did you shine or fall short? What must you do to improve for the next task?

Some questions to get you started are:

• What, if any, are the parallels between the recent Congressional deadlock and the Federalist Era?

• What, if any, are the parallels between the Patriot act and the Alien and Sedition Acts in reference to civil liberties

• What, if any, are the parallels between the Presidential elections of 1800 and 2008?

These are only to get you thinking and you should not limit your research to only these three. You should type your responses and preparation material and bring it to class. The questions above are a suggestion only and you should prepare other thoughts or ideas.

• Bring the type written preparation with you and it needs to be shown to me at the beginning of the class. I will then collect it at the end of your debate. You may use them for the debate and you may also take notes. They do not have to be neat and clean when you submit them at the end of the period.

Implementation: Enter the classroom and check the board for your debate assignment. You must prepare for three but will only debate one of my choice.

• Meet with your fellow debaters for 5 minutes to discuss strategy – Everyone has to participate

• First debate 15 minutes

• Second debate 15 minutes • Third debate 15 minutes • Wrap up 5-10 minutes

The debate is worth 30 points 10 points – preparation – How well did you research and prepare for the debate 10 points – how well did you debate and manage your opponent. 10 points – Your reflection. Remember always be respectful of your opponents viewpoint as well as how you choose to approach the process. Have fun!