Why You Think the Way you Think
We all have opinions on social issues that we feel very strongly about. Usually, the strength of these positions eliminates any willingness or ability to accept or understand the validity of the opposite argument. The object of this unit is to explore a position like this, and to also approach its counter position with equal respect and attention.
The completed paper will explore our presently held position: how long we've held it, where it came from, what influenced it, and those who share in our belief. Next, we will examine the other side of the issue: why it is an issue, who is behind the issue, and what truths may be found within it. Please note that there are compelling arguments to be made on both sides of any issue - that is the nature of the beast. In the end, your position is your own, no matter where it may lie on the political spectrum. The important aspect of this assignment is that you take an informed position, well aware of the implications of both sides of the argument. Learn to defend the offensive!
Food for Thought:
1. Ask family and friends their positions on the issue. Why do they feel that way?
2. Listen to someone intimately involved in each side of the issue. What arguments do they raise?
3. Consult newspaper and magazine articles on the issue. What do they say about it?
4. Pick a specific audience for this paper. Either one that supports you that you can educate about the opposite argument, or, one that opposes your stance that you feel you can inform.
5. Rethink your original position. Does it still seem as valid? Why or why not?
6. Does the opposing argument make more sense? Have you learned anything new about your original position due to your understanding of its opposite? Why or why not?
Reflection Questions:
1. What evolution did your position go through during the course of this unit? Where did you begin the day of the synthesis statement, and where did you end up today? Did your opinion change? Why or Why not?
2. What was the most surprising thing you discovered during the process of this unit? Were you impressed or discouraged with the strength of the arguments that opposed your own? Why or why not?
3. Reflect on the peer responses from this unit. How did they go? Did anyone in class do a particularly fine job? What was the overall general response to your stance on the issue? Were your peers generally in agreement or opposed to your
position? How did/didn't that affect your paper? How effective or ineffective was anonymous response?
4. Is this an issue that you would like to investigate further? If you could, what would you do? Do you feel that you are an authority on this subject? Would you feel comfortable discussing the issue intelligently with another who was
considered an "expert"?
5. Who, of the individuals you interviewed or read their research, did you value the positions of the most? Why do you think that they, specifically, made you trust their positions? What is it about their constructions that made them
authorities and not someone else?
6. Is there anything that you would like to let me know about this unit, or class in general?