Student Group Project
STUDENT GROUP PROJECT
Each class period during Part II of the semester (see Course Schedule), two groups of students will be responsible for evaluating a policy issue. The purpose of this exercise is to encourage critical thinking and class discussion. Failure to participate in your respective group will result in zero points and a heavy sigh of disappointment from your classmates. This penalty might be waived, in part, if the student demonstrates good cause. Students who have missed their group assignment can
deliver his/her presentation at a make up session on Date: TBA, Time: TBA, Location: TBA
Issues for Discussion
Each issue will be based on readings in the Ellis and Nelson book required for class. Students will a) describe the major points of each side of the issue (pro and con) and a brief analysis indicating why they believe one side or the other is correct or why they are divided on the issue . This will be followed by class discussion. Dates for each presentation can be found in Part II of the Course Schedule.
Guidelines
1. Members of each group will decide how the issue will be presented. Suggestion: one student takes discusses the pro side, another student discusses the con side, and the third student explains why position of the group (unified, divided, why).
2. The group report should run approximately 15-20 minutes with each student's contribution about 5-7 minutes leaving the remaining time (approximately 15 minutes) for class discussion.
3. Although you can use your notes, do not read from the book. The purpose is to improve your verbal communication skills.
4. Individual student performance will be evaluated by the instructor. The instructor will use a five-point scale (1=poor, 5=excellent) using the following factors (total of 20 points)
Example
Criteria Points
- Knowledge of the subject 4.5 points
- Clarity in presentation 2.5 points = 16/20 points
- Organization 5.0 points
- Analysis 4.0 points
