- This topic has 10 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated February 13, 2022 by
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Week 1 – 14/11/2021
Hello everyone!
The format for these classes will generally be as follows: 30 minutes of current affairs discussion, followed by 30 minutes of a more formal debate. In terms of preparation, please read the news articles I link below and read anything I attach to the Debate section.
Current Affairs:
1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59246899 Tensions between Belarus and the EU; try to work out why these tensions exist and what each side is threatening to do!
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59245018 Is it fair to have lockdowns only for the unvaccinated? Should the state be able to force people to get vaccinated?
3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13230608 Have a look at this news article about F.W. de Klerk; how does it make you feel about him?
Debate:
Should Britain have left the EU?
(You do not need to do all the reading below; you are free to find your own sources and think of your own arguments!)
1. https://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/arguments-britain-leaving-eu/#.YY1zC737Q4Y
2. https://www.theweek.co.uk/brexit-0 (Long but thorough)
3. https://about-britain.com/institutions/compare-brexit-arguments.htm
Best wishes,
James
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Hi everyone,
Sorry for the delay in posting the answers. For tomorrow, I’d like you to read the following:
1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59358172
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59290896
3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-59331693
We are also going to have a look at UK politics and a general introduction. Try to have a think about what you know about this; we will debate the way it is organised and run!
Best wishes,
James
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Week 3 – 05/12/21
Hi everyone,
Hope you are all well. For next week:
1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59532066
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59531442
3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59507543
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-59528864 (We will do a particularly deep analysis about this one!)
We will also do a more formal debate where I will split you into a couple of rooms to prepare your team’s arguments on the motion: THBT School Uniform Should be Banned. Have a think about possible arguments; even if you have debated this before we are going to analyse formal debate structures and rebuttals!
Best wishes,
James
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Week 4 – 12/12/21
Excellent week last week. This coming week:
2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/10/trump-powerpoint-mark-meadows-capitol-attack
3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59616743
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-59613540
In class we will also debate whether zoos should be banned; we will use the same teams as last week. Again, do not worry if you have debated this before: we will focus on building up arguments and speaking for longer periods of time!
Best wishes,
James
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Week 5 – 19/12/21
Great week last week. Following news stories for next week:
1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/18/sudan-protesters-say-their-voices-will-not-be-silenced
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59712020
4. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/18/a-francoist-daydream-how-spains-right-clings-to-its-imperialist-past (Long read – only if you have time!)
We will also debate: Should We Legalise All Drugs? Again, if you have done this debate before do not worry – as last week, we will focus on building arguments and developing them as teams. If you want to get a headstart, have a look at this: https://idebate.org/debatabase/health-addiction-health-general-law-crime-policing/house-supports-legalisation-drugs
Best wishes,
James
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Week 6 – 02/01/22
Hi everyone,
Stories for this week:
1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59850093
2.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-59851097
3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59843925
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59847371
We will also debate: Should We Legalise All Drugs?
Best wishes,
James
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Week 7 – 23/01/22
Hi everyone,
Sorry for the two week delay – my fault entirely! This week’s news stories:
2. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/20/britain-russia-ukraine-border-dispute (This is an Opinion piece, not a news dispute; see if you agree with the argument)
Debate: THB that the world’s poor would be justified in pursuing complete Marxist revolution.
The reason I have chosen this debate is because it was the motion from the 2016 World Universities Debating Championships final! If you have a spare moment, watch the first seven minutes (from 2.34) of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tngaDNSlCpU
Best wishes,
James
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Week 8 – 30/1/2022
1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/26/nato-allies-policy-russia-ukraine-analysis
2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jan/26/joe-biden-stephen-breyer-retires-supreme-court
And same debate as last week as we didn’t get time to do it!
Best wishes,
James
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Week 9 – 6/2/2021
1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/06/sweden-returns-to-cold-war-tactics-to-battle-fake-news
5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60273502
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60265085
Have a go at watching as much of this as you have time to/would like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExaP0ZBYA3s&t=25s
We will do the same motion and analyse some of the speakers’ arguments! The motion is: THW Ban Nazi and Soviet Symbols in Public.
J
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Week 10 – 13/2/21
Sorry for delay!
1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60333336
2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/feb/13/ukraine-crisis-live-biden-warns-putin-costs-of-russia-invasion-kyiv-latest-updates (Have a look through most recent updates!)
6. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/12/mexico-lime-prices-shortages-cartels
Debate: A classic, Should We Ban Zoos?
Have a look at this link for some arguments either way; I will have you argue as a team.
Best wishes,
James
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