Read_this_tnb.pngThis discussion is a student choice debate. You will choose a topic from one of the two chapters presented. To see the choices access the Weekly Resource Page.
Your assignment.jpgBE SURE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEBATE.
AFTER READING THE MATERIALS AND WATCHING THE VIDEOS ON ONE OF THE THREE RESOURCE PAGES PRESENTED ON THE WEEKLY RESOURCE PAGE YOU WILL CHOOSE ONE OF THE TOPICS FROM YOUR CHOSEN CHAPTER TO DEBATE.
You will pick a topic and a side.You can reply to someone else who has already posted by adding new ideas about the topic. These ideas can be in support of the original post but add to it, or it can be against the original post. Either option has to use evidence. OR your first post can be a completely new post about your topic. Remember to use evidence. You only need to present one argument.
If you choose to reply to other’s posts yours should critique the arguments in the original post and add something new not just reiterate what is in that original post. While it is important to be thoughtful and supportive in your posts, we are not working to build someone’s ego by only saying how amazing their post was. We are here to critique and expand our own knowledge.
The most important thing about debate is to PICK A SIDE! Even if you don’t agree with the side you pick, you can provide the research and present compelling arguments. Often that is the best way to really learn about a topic. Remember to think about how the topic manifests locally, and some solutions as well. There are plenty of new ideas for everyone, so remember you only need to present one, not solve the whole thing in one post. This will be a group effort to see if we can come to any resolutions.
The second will be a response to someone else’s post with a discussion of how the issue presented may manifest locally and how it may be resolved. This does not have to be a reply to an original post, but can be a reply to any post, even items that have replied to any posts you made. You may post more than two times, but I will look for at least one post that discusses a local aspect and possible solutions.
due date.jpgSee the course schedule for exact due dates for assignments.
GRADE500.pngThis assignment will be graded using the debate rubric located in this assignment. Primarily it’s how well you followed the directions, formulated your arguments and support them with evidence. Each post is worth up to 10 points, see the rubric for what is required for each post. There is a grading scale in the assignment to give you an idea of what I am looking for. You can post this assignment late up to two weeks for half credit. Posts that are submitted more than one hour late will be subject to half credit penalty.
SOME DEBATE TOPIC IDEAS
Should non-violent users of illicit drugs receive treatment based on their addiction type or should they be incarcerated according to the current drug laws?
Pro: These are people who experience a medical issue and need medical treatment to overcome it or they will simply end up back in prison.
Con: People should be held accountable for their actions and these are people who broke the law by using illegal drugs and they should not receive special treatment because they may have a drug addiction.
Since binge drinking is dangerous and is more common among college students than young adults not in college should colleges and universities completely ban all alcohol on campuses?
Pro: Alcohol on college campuses is unmonitored and easy to access and abuse, especially for students under 21 years of age.
Con: Students who are of legal drinking age should be allowed to have alcohol on campus since they are not breaking any laws.
What do you think is the most important issue in this chapter?
SOME DEBATE TOPIC IDEAS
Should obesity be treated as a disease by the health care system? (Link to an obesity procon.org (Links to an external site.))
Pro: Obesity is a serious health condition and as such should be treated by doctors and considered a medical condition and not a lack of personal responsibility.
Con: People need to take personal responsibility for their body weight by making better choices rather than overeating and not exercising and then expecting the health care system to “fix” them.
Can we improve the health of SNAP users by restricting food choices?
Pro: By providing guidelines, SNAP users who must purchase healthy food options will make better choices and this will result in better health for their entire family.
Con: No only is it discriminatory to legislate what foods individual should be allowed to buy with SNAP, they will continue to purchase the same foods, they just won’t use SNAP benefits for those foods.
Should racism and poverty be considered the root causes of poor health outcomes in the United States?
Pro: Racism and poverty adversely influence the health outcomes of vulnerable racial minorities and must be eliminated in order for every person to have the opportunity for comparable health outcomes.
Con: Americans need to take personal responsibility for their health and stop blaming other people and external forces for their poor health outcomes.
Should those that earn higher incomes subsidize health care costs for the poor? (link to a health care procon.org (Links to an external site.) that deals with this issue)
Pro: The wealthy have a social responsibility (Links to an external site.) to contribute more so that individuals and families in poverty can access basic health care.
Con: This is the equivalent of penalizing people who make good choices, work hard, and are successful. It is not their responsibility to take on the heavy burden of high health care costs for these people who have chosen not to provide for themselves or their families.
What do you think is the biggest problem related to health and medicine?