Overview and Learning Objectives
This lesson will enable students to hone their presentation and debate skills. Each group will present their policy recommendations to the class and will then discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the various recommendations.
Procedure
Each group will have between ten-twelve minutes to present their policy recommendation. I would suggest that each group be encouraged to participate in the presentation. Students may use overhead transparencies, PowerPoint slides, or other visual aides. A suggested procedure would be to have one member of each group present a two-three minute overview of the groups policy recommendation. Other group members who might discuss specific points could follow the first student. Once the group has presented its recommendation, there would be a timed question and answer session. The other groups would follow in a similar fashion.
After all the groups have made their presentations, the teacher can begin the debate process. I suggest arranging student seating in a circular fashion or square pattern. A podium is placed at the head of the seating arrangement. Students will have a timed window of two-three minutes to approach to be recognized to approach the podium and comment on the strengths and weaknesses of any of the various policy recommendations. Other students would then be able to respond to these comments. Alternatively, students could make comments from their seats while the teacher stands inside the circle to moderate the debate.
All students are expected to participate in the debate in order to help them prepare to write their position paper on this issue. The students should also be encouraged to take notes that will aid them in writing their paper.
Resources
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Overhead projector and/or computer projector unit
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Screen
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Podium or some type of presentation dais
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Video:
Ambush in Mogadishu
. From PBS “Frontline” series.
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Readings from
Black Hawk Down
, pp. 331-356