ASSIGNMENT SIX: SAVE THE WORLD

 

GROUP PRESENTATION: PROPOSE A SOLUTION

(possible 15 points)

 

To prepare for a world where negotiation and group work is expected of you and produces the best results, you will work with classmates selected by the instructor to research, prepare, and deliver a 15 to 20-minute group oral presentation.

ASSIGNMENT

WORKING IN A GROUP AND ACTING AS A THINK TANK, IDENTIFY A CURRENT SOCIAL PROBLEM AND SOLVE IT

TOPIC

As a group, choose a serious social problem or issue which one of you encountered completing your research paper. Choose a topic from your group. The research papers focused on a problem or controversy. Now we're going to focus on the solution. Assuming unlimited government and corporate resources, conduct research and present a convincing solution or solutions--no matter how radical.

INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL OUTLINE for the PRESENTATION:

 

OUTLINE FOR PROBLEM SOLVING PRESENTATION

1) ESTABLISH THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM (1-3 SLIDES)

2) PROVIDE NECESSARY HISTORICAL OF TECHNICAL BACKGROUND CLARIFIES (0-2 SLIDES)

3) PRESENT THE FAILING OR FAILED ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM (1-3 SLIDES)

4) DESCRIBE THE MAIN OBSTACLES TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM (1-2 SLIDES)

5) OFFER THE SOLUTION THAT WOULD--COULD YOU ENACT IT--SOLVE THIS PROBLEM (3 + SLIDES)

6) CONVINCE THE AUDIENCE OF THE VALIDITY OF YOUR SOLUTION

7) URGE THE AUDIENCE TO TAKE SPECIFIC ACTION

 

 

THE SOLUTION

• As a model, you may use solutions to the same problem found in other countries, other fields, or other periods of history. How do or did other countries, industries, or historical eras deal with truancy, violence in schools, obesity (especially in children), the nursing faculty shortage, addiction, and airport security. Will you look at what worked for high school violence to propose a solution for elementary school violence, or do we need a new model? How do countries with socialized medicine treat drug addiction, and would that work in the U.S.?
• As a template for a law that needs to be passed or an institution that needs to be changed, use a model from another field or another period in history. One group proposed the laws for felony assault be applied to maternal smoking. Another used the "Just One More" campaign as a model for an ad campaign they designed to solve video game addiction.
• To solve the problem, what action needs to be taken: does a law need passed or repealed? Does a system or institution need modified or eliminated? Does someone need to be arrested or held responsible? Do heavy fines have to be levied? Does a business deserve to be boycotted? Do monkeys have to fly? Do all these things have to happen at once? Don't leave any idea, no matter how far out, unexplored in deciding what action you might urge your audience to take.

FIRST MEETING

1) Introduce yourselves and exchange phone numbers and/ or e-mail addresses.

2) Describe your group style and research topic to one another.

3) Review the Assignment as a group.

4) Select the general problem or issue your group is going to address.

5) Rely on the person from whose paper the topic evolved as a resource for background information.

6) Everyone should complete initial research on the controversy and prepare to report back and exchange views at     the next class.

7) Divide up tasks where appropriate.

8) Choose a group coordinator (not the person from whose paper the topic derived).

9) Begin to set group norms. (consequences for non-participation; notification and contact methods; rules for exchange of     ideas and brainstorming; delegation of tasks etc.

Group Sign-in 1