Below are some of the topics that I see coming up a number of times in your blog posts. Some of them could be crafted into debate topics but some might be very one-sided. Our goal today, is to figure out debate topics that have 2 sides that enough of you could argue.
Police brutality—what could be an issue that wouldn’t be completely one-sided in our class? A few of you are talking about it, but we all agree on the same side. How can we craft this so it has two sides? Can we look at how the media portrays police brutality?
Cuba -- a lot of your wrote about Obama's recent talks with the leader of Cuba and the move into a more cooperative relationship with this country. In other words we would no longer see them as a threat--travel and trading bans would be lifted. Good idea or not?
The legalization of marijuana, not necessarily for medicinal purposes. Would government regulation of recreational marijuana makes things safer or just make the problem worse?
ISIS -- fears about this terrorist groups activities came up a lot in your blog posts. What would be a reasonable debate topic? Could be debate US policy in terms of dealing with ISIS? Might there be a smaller more manageable topic related to this? I'm thinking about how the group uses social media to recruit and display executions--should we do more to limit their social media reach in our country? That might required government regulation of the internet. Good idea or not?
The opt out movement for standardized testing—there is a huge debate going on in New York State about Cuomo’s recent education reform policy. Good idea? How can we craft this into a 2-sided debate?
There have been a number of articles about people desperate to leave the violence in Africa and Syria, so much so that they are taking to the Mediterranean Sea in crowded boats or paying human traffikers to help them escape. There have been a number of accidents and deaths in the sea--the issue is also what to do with them when then arrive in places like Italy. Is there a debate topic here? Our own country is dealing with immigration issues along the southern border--children escaping violence in Central American countries and seeking out the border patrol agents. We have a crisis along the border--what do we do with these kids? What do you think?
Welfare/food stamp regulations—President Obama signed $8.7 billion food stamp cut into law in February. Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) has been dropping since late 2013 because the economy has been getting better. States will have to re-impose requirements that able-bodied childless adults enroll in job training or work a certain hours per week if they want more than three months of food stamps. Good idea?
Welfare/food stamp regulations
ReplyDeleteShould affirmative action be used for college admissions?
ReplyDeleteYes/No
Should abortion be legal?
ReplyDeleteYes/No
Should marijuana be legalized?
ReplyDeleteShould marijuana be legalized?
ReplyDeleteShould alcohol be banned?
ReplyDeleteHillary for president?
ReplyDeleteShould all kids have to recite the pledge of allegiance.
ReplyDeleteTo what limits should America intervene for human rights in other countries?
ReplyDeleteDeath penalty?
ReplyDeleteShould vaccinations be required?
ReplyDeletewhy does terrorism occur? what motivates people to commit hate crimes?
ReplyDeleteFeminism
ReplyDeleteHave cops been using excessive force?
ReplyDeleteCorporal punishment in school?
ReplyDeleteIs technology isolating?
ReplyDeleteShould people leave their ancient cultural values and blend into new cultural forms today?
ReplyDeleteCorruption within the police force
ReplyDeleteSeperation of State and Church, in and out of America?
ReplyDeleteAffirmative action
ReplyDeleteimmigration
ReplyDeleteWhat should we do regarding human population growth?
ReplyDeleteBelow are some of the topics that I see coming up a number of times in your blog posts. Some of them could be crafted into debate topics but some might be very one-sided. Our goal today, is to figure out debate topics that have 2 sides that enough of you could argue.
ReplyDeletePolice brutality—what could be an issue that wouldn’t be completely one-sided in our class? A few of you are talking about it, but we all agree on the same side. How can we craft this so it has two sides? Can we look at how the media portrays police brutality?
DeleteIran -- a lot of you talked about the recent negotiations over Iran's nuclear capabilities and the lifting of sanctions -- good idea or not?
DeleteCuba -- a lot of your wrote about Obama's recent talks with the leader of Cuba and the move into a more cooperative relationship with this country. In other words we would no longer see them as a threat--travel and trading bans would be lifted. Good idea or not?
DeleteThe legalization of marijuana, not necessarily for medicinal purposes. Would government regulation of recreational marijuana makes things safer or just make the problem worse?
DeleteISIS -- fears about this terrorist groups activities came up a lot in your blog posts. What would be a reasonable debate topic? Could be debate US policy in terms of dealing with ISIS? Might there be a smaller more manageable topic related to this? I'm thinking about how the group uses social media to recruit and display executions--should we do more to limit their social media reach in our country? That might required government regulation of the internet. Good idea or not?
DeleteThe opt out movement for standardized testing—there is a huge debate going on in New York State about Cuomo’s recent education reform policy. Good idea? How can we craft this into a 2-sided debate?
DeleteThere have been a number of articles about people desperate to leave the violence in Africa and Syria, so much so that they are taking to the Mediterranean Sea in crowded boats or paying human traffikers to help them escape. There have been a number of accidents and deaths in the sea--the issue is also what to do with them when then arrive in places like Italy. Is there a debate topic here? Our own country is dealing with immigration issues along the southern border--children escaping violence in Central American countries and seeking out the border patrol agents. We have a crisis along the border--what do we do with these kids? What do you think?
DeleteWelfare/food stamp regulations—President Obama signed $8.7 billion food stamp cut into law in February. Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) has been dropping since late 2013 because the economy has been getting better. States will have to re-impose requirements that able-bodied childless adults enroll in job training or work a certain hours per week if they want more than three months of food stamps. Good idea?
Delete