ES 325 From Civil Rights to Black Power – Spring 2022 Debate – A Three Week Group Assignment General Guidelines The online debate assignment requires researching a relevant Black Studies issue, thinking critically about the issue, preparing arguments to support a position on the issue, and rebutting arguments that support contrary positions. In conducting your research you should consider the multi- dimensional nature (social, political, economic, spiritual impacts) of Black Studies issues. 1. Week 1-3(weeks 15-16 & Finals week) : Each student will select a debate position. 2. Week 15: You will conduct your own individual research on your selected debate position. 3. Week 16: You will upload your individual research into your private group forum. Be sure to put identify your individual work in this forum. Group will draft an outline. Group will draft an opening statement.4. Finals Week: You will upload the group's opening statement to the public forum and also each individual will upload the group's opening statement to the graded link on Canvas.5. Finals Week: Submit rebuttal statements and prepare closing statements and upload them to the public forum. Each individual will also upload the group's rebuttal statement and closing statement to a graded link on Canvas.There will be 8 groups this semester, which means 4 debates. The debates will all be happening simultaneously, over a three week period (see below). Debates will take place online and if time permits as well as in class.The entire debate series (group preparation, group presentation, and individual judging) will happen online using Canvas forums. All classmates will comment on the other debates in which they are not presenting.Assignment breakdown When: Where:Week 15: April 25-May 1Debate Preparation Individual Research on selected topic15 pointsDue Wednesday, April 27 by 11:00 PMPost in private group forumWeek 16: May 2-May 8Debate PreparationGroup Outline10 pointsDue Wednesday, May 4 by 11:00 PMPost in private group forum

Updated: 3/3/22 Weekly Expectations Detailed Week Fifteen and Sixteen – Debate Preparation Topic Outline 1. Go to your private group’s forum in Canvas and meet with your team membersa. Meeting in-person is fine, but all of your work must be recorded in the online forum so each of you can be individually gradedb. Only your team members and the instructor will have access to this online room2. Each member should present at least 2-3 scholarly resources and provide a brief description of each resource.3. Outline the 3-5 of your strongest arguments for your position4. Draw on each members’ research to draft a few sentences for each point5. Be sure to include evidence supported by scholarship to support each supporting point.6. Identify arguments likely to be made by the other side7. Draft a few compelling sentences for each of these potential counter arguments8. Use appropriate citation methods (i.e. APA, ASA, Chicago, etc.) to identify the works that you have consulted (minimum 2-3 references per person) 7. Submit your group’s debate Outline Week 16-Finals Week: May 9-15Public Debate StartsOpening Statement (final draft)25 pointsDue Sunday, May 8 by 11:00PMPost in public debate forumFinals Week: Read opponent’s opening statement Submit Rebuttal Statement25 pointsDue Wednesday, May 11 by 11PMFinals Week: Read Rebuttal StatementClosing Statement25 pointsDue Friday, May 13 by 11:00PMPost 1st draft in private debate forum Post final draft in public debate forum Post in private debate forumUpdated: 3/3/22 Weekly Expectations Detailed Week Fifteen and Sixteen – Debate Preparation Topic Outline 1. Go to your private group’s forum in Canvas and meet with your team membersa. Meeting in-person is fine, but all of your work must be recorded in the online forum so each of you can be individually gradedb. Only your team members and the instructor will have access to this online room2. Each member should present at least 2-3 scholarly resources and provide a brief description of each resource.3. Outline the 3-5 of your strongest arguments for your position4. Draw on each members’ research to draft a few sentences for each point5. Be sure to include evidence supported by scholarship to support each supporting point.6. Identify arguments likely to be made by the other side7. Draft a few compelling sentences for each of these potential counter arguments8. Use appropriate citation methods (i.e. APA, ASA, Chicago, etc.) to identify the works that you have consulted (minimum 2-3 references per person) 7. Submit your group’s debate Outline Week 16-Finals Week: May 9-15Public Debate StartsOpening Statement (final draft)25 pointsDue Sunday, May 8 by 11:00PMPost in public debate forumFinals Week: Read opponent’s opening statement Submit Rebuttal Statement25 pointsDue Wednesday, May 11 by 11PMFinals Week: Read Rebuttal StatementClosing Statement25 pointsDue Friday, May 13 by 11:00PMPost 1st draft in private debate forum Post final draft in public debate forum Post in private debate forum

Updated: 3/3/22Draft Opening Statement 1. Create an initial statement in response to your debate resolution and support your statement with evidence in a detailed outline of your argument. This should be about 600-700 words (Can be longer if needed).a. Use the Debate Rubric (below) to ensure that your group has completed everything listed, with a high level of effort before submitting2. Anticipate potential Rebuttal Statements3. Submit draft Rebuttal StatementsWeek Sixteen and Finals Week – Public Debates Opening Statement and Rebuttal Statement 1. Submit your group’s Opening Statement to the Public Debate Forum2. Also individually submit your group’s Opening Statement to the link “Grading for Opening Statements.” This is where each member receives a grade for the group work.3. Read your opponent’s Opening Statement4. Determine how much of your Opponent’s argument you already anticipated, and determine what you will still need to address to counter these arguments in your Rebuttal Statement5. Start with the work you did in Week One, Item 5, and then assign each team member any new counter arguments you need, based on the statements your Opponent’s made in their Opening Statement.Submit Rebuttal Statements 1. A rebuttal consists of offering evidence or arguments that refutes or negates the arguments put forth by the other side. Develop your best case to rebut the arguments that were offered by the opposing side. You may also use this post to seek clarification of the other side's arguments (300-500 words)2. Submit your Rebuttal Statement to the Public Debate Forum.3. Individually submit your group’s Rebuttal Statement to the link “Grading for Rebuttal Statements.”Present Closing Statement 1. Use your Closing Statement to respond to the points raised in the rebuttal arguments. You may want to show why their rebuttals is mistaken, and/or acknowledge the strength or soundness of the argument, but downplay its significance, or in some cases, concede its importance and reformulate your original position as appropriate (450-500 words)2. Submit Closing Statement to the Public Debate Forum.3. Individually submit your group’s Closing Statement to the link “Grading for Closing Statement.” Finals Week-Evaluations 1. Copy and paste the “Who Did What” document to evaluate each team member including yourself. Change the top line from Student One, Student Two, etc. to the names of the people in your group. Include a narrative comment for each