This project was spawned through the current issue with ISIS in the middle east. Our teacher had introduced this idea originally when we were finishing up our globalization project, and it developed into a complex and elaborate planning process for carefully crafted debate topics. At first we started by learning about the religion of Islam, and gained knowledge on important terms in the Islamic culture. We then delved into the origins of ISIS, through events that have taken place in the past decade. After learning the culture, we were then shown the topics we would be debating; drones, refugees, mass surveillance, enhanced interrogation. We chose our topics, which side we supported, and got to work researching both how to conduct an IQ2 debate and also our topics. Our final product was, after completing in-depth research on our topics, to complete a debate using the IQ2 debate format. We constructed our arguments, and then in the debate format some of us also created rebuttals to counter the opposing sides argument.
Before starting this project, I definitely felt a strong bias against the Islamic religion and it’s people. I have grown up to look at all Muslims differently, and have been taught that you should never trust a Muslim. Yet, after conducting background research and learning more about the vast culture I have come to realize that the Muslim people are much different than they are made out to be. The United States media has, in recent times made the Muslim world out to be a world of nothing but terror, yet through learning about ISIS and other terrorist groups I have come to realize that terror in the Islamic religion is insignificant compared to the good. Despite this, I still stand my ground on the refugee policy, as the United States is already in the ground with current unemployment rates, and more people would just add to that. I feel that refugees need our aid, but not our land. Although this may still sound harsh, I had previously thought that all Muslims should stay in their area and leave the rest of the world alone. I credit this drastic change of mind to this fascinating project!
Throughout my education I have always relied on note-cards and paper to get through speeches and public speaking. When I was tasked with covering a teammates part of the debate as well as mine, I relied heavily on the reading as well. As time went on, and I became more rehearsed I then realized that I could base my rebuttal on my knowledge on the topic. It turned out that during the debate, my strongest moment was actually my ‘backup’ option, and that I was able to convince people through not relying on the written text. At the end of our debate, and during the question and answer period I felt much more at ease with making claims knowing that I had evidence to back it up. I was able to argue without making false claims, which is also something that is somewhat new to me. I have benefited from this project more than I thought possible, whether it be through content knowledge, speaking, or argumentative skills. I feel confident that I have been prepared for next year’s Humanities class, and thank my teacher for all that has been taught this year!
Before starting this project, I definitely felt a strong bias against the Islamic religion and it’s people. I have grown up to look at all Muslims differently, and have been taught that you should never trust a Muslim. Yet, after conducting background research and learning more about the vast culture I have come to realize that the Muslim people are much different than they are made out to be. The United States media has, in recent times made the Muslim world out to be a world of nothing but terror, yet through learning about ISIS and other terrorist groups I have come to realize that terror in the Islamic religion is insignificant compared to the good. Despite this, I still stand my ground on the refugee policy, as the United States is already in the ground with current unemployment rates, and more people would just add to that. I feel that refugees need our aid, but not our land. Although this may still sound harsh, I had previously thought that all Muslims should stay in their area and leave the rest of the world alone. I credit this drastic change of mind to this fascinating project!
Throughout my education I have always relied on note-cards and paper to get through speeches and public speaking. When I was tasked with covering a teammates part of the debate as well as mine, I relied heavily on the reading as well. As time went on, and I became more rehearsed I then realized that I could base my rebuttal on my knowledge on the topic. It turned out that during the debate, my strongest moment was actually my ‘backup’ option, and that I was able to convince people through not relying on the written text. At the end of our debate, and during the question and answer period I felt much more at ease with making claims knowing that I had evidence to back it up. I was able to argue without making false claims, which is also something that is somewhat new to me. I have benefited from this project more than I thought possible, whether it be through content knowledge, speaking, or argumentative skills. I feel confident that I have been prepared for next year’s Humanities class, and thank my teacher for all that has been taught this year!