Overview and Learning Objectives
This lesson requires students to divide into groups to discuss potential policy options that the United States might undertake in Somalia. The question that each must answer is “should the United States commit American military forces to the United Nation’s approved humanitarian relief effort in Somalia?” In addition to this fundamental question, each group may make additional recommendations that would guide the conduct and scope of American involvement. For example, the groups may want to consider whether or not it would be advisable for American forces to become involved in the U.N. “nation-building” activities that were discussed in Lesson One. Alternatively, the groups could use their previous research on the situation in Somalia to suggest specific rules of engagement or other limitations on the involvement of American forces in Somalia. One group might even be assigned to play the role of United Nations personnel who are charged with presenting American policy-makers with a list of tasks and/or procedures that the U.N. would want the United States to undertake in Somalia.
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Specific learning goals for the lesson:
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The students will discuss and debate policy alternatives for the United States in Somalia.
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The students will work in cooperative groups to analyze American interests in Somalia.
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The students will work in cooperative groups to formulate a policy recommendation for action in Somalia.
Procedure
Begin the class by dividing the students into manageable working groups (3-6 people). Each group will be responsible for formulating an American response to the humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The teacher can let each group formulate a policy independently or the students can receive more structure. More structure could entail assigning each group to analyze a specific pre-determined policy alternative. The group would then be responsible for devising a set of arguments in support of that alternative. All members of the working groups should be responsible for taking notes that will be used in the following class debate. Following their discussions, each group will present their recommendations to the teacher. The groups will also consult with the teacher to determine which members will participate in the class debate presentation.
Resources
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Student assigned readings
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Somalia situation briefing sheet
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