Summer 1999 -- 1st Term
Dr. Beth S. Bennett
DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT

| Preparation | Evaluation |

The purpose of this assignment is to engage in critical decision making within a group discussion format. Specifically, students gather information about a chosen question of public policy for the semester, share and discuss that information, and as a group reach some consensus about what specific issues are central to making any final decisions about that question.

This assignment is not a panel of reports, nor is it a debate over specific solutions or policies. It is a collective inquiry into the nature of the problem and requires group members to be willing to explore all related topics.

Preparation:

As a group, students should do the following:

 Agree on a problem which all members of the group want to research and discuss for the semester

 Formulate a specific question which identifies the case and nature of the public decision to be addressed

 Submit the question to the instructor for approval

 Consider ways in which the scope of the discussion might need to be restricted and the kinds of topics needing to be covered

As an individual, each student should prepare the following:

 Consult as many different sources as possible which address the group's question (minimally, 7 -- 4 of which have to be from published primary sources)

 Construct a beginning working bibliography with these sources, using proper form

 Compile notes on the pertinent information from these sources to be used in the discussion

 Construct a specific outline, organizing the topics from your notes for use in the discussion. Be sure this outline is logically arranged, not just a list of topics.

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated individually, not as a group, for both their preparation for and their participation in the group discussion. Specifically, they will be judged according to the following criteria:

PRE-DISCUSSION PREPARATION
Extensiveness of beginning bibliography (and proper form)
Thoroughness of notes for the discussion
Analytical soundness of outline

AMOUNT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE DISCUSSION
Offering substantive comments throughout
Offering comments of group leadership
Demonstrating sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics

FUNCTION IN THE GROUP'S DECISION MAKING PROCESS
Helping the group consider the various information gathered
Offering careful analysis of the central issues
Keeping the group organized and on task

Materials to be evaluated as evidence of preparation for the discussion are submitted individually and must be submitted immediately following the end of the group's discussion.



Beth S. Bennett, bbennett@bama.ua.edu. Created 9 June 1999.