Debates Reflection
Recently in class it had been discussed that we were sick of doing project after project, so we decided to try a different way to learn. We made a list of topics of interest on the board and picked the ones that we wanted to debate. The class split in half each time for pro and con sides, studied their platforms, and came back to humanites for a discussion. So far we have completed two of these debates, our first topic being about capital punishment, and the second about Libyan intervention. At first the debates seemed like something I would have a lot of interest towards, since I had enjoyed our debate at the beginning of the year with politics. Honestly though I’ve been slightly disappointed with the results so far.
We started off each debate by pairing up with someone from the opposing side, in order to have a short debate with them prior to the real thing. It was a 10-15 minute period for warming up and testing theories before you brought them to the group. Though the idea of these warm ups sound like a productive method, each partner I was assigned with seemed rather unprepared. The conversation always came to an awkward end as it became clear there had been a lack of studying. That showed the most during the Libya debate. Originally about four or five people (including myself) had voted against doing it due to lack of interest, but it was chosen anyway. Even though I wasn’t interested in the topic, I still studied, so it was extremely frustrating to see that some of the opposing side wasn’t talking back to us, because they didn’t actually know what their side was. If I’m putting in any effort, I expect the same from someone I’m working with as just a matter of respect.
I don’t want to quite give up on the debates yet though because I know that with a little work it could be something interesting. Some more people need to start stepping up though, because frankly arguing with someone who can’t defend their own point is very unappealing.
