12/28 (Sat.) Special event: debate session (Host: Will, WWA plan)

[thomas]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Will and I am happy to be your host for this Yoyo Session. I was born in America, but my parents are from China. I think one of the best traits of the American school system is how they teach you to think critically and challenge the norm. In many Asian societies’ work culture, conforming is expected, while in America, raising concerns and proposing alternatives can lead to career progression.
I want this class to be something new, and have created a plan for an interactive debate session. Similar to how presidential candidates debate on the public stage about issues, we will do a mini debate amongst ourselves about very inconclusive issues. I will go over this again in class, but you can watch these three videos to help give you a overview of what a debate looks like:

https://youtu.be/1TSkkxu8on0
https://youtu.be/yi6Im-Sb6Vw?si=6mt6Wnoz_lE4Ui5a
https://youtu.be/aUhDzk1pSKY?si=Nbjo7Y0Uw9LLjnBx @ 3:55 - 14:50

During class, I will give two topics/motions (ex: Motion 1 and Motion 2) to the class.
All the yoyo members should choose one of the motions that interests them, and then choose to be for or against (proposition / opposition) to what the topic is saying.
So there will be 4 teams, and hopefully each has at least 3 members:
Topic 1 - proposition
Topic 1 - opposition
Topic 2 - proposition
Topic 2 - opposition

We will then give time for each team to devise an argument and prepare for counterarguments. Then topic 1 teams will have a debat, and topic 2 teams will listen and decide the winner. Then we switch- topic 2 teams will debate, and topic 1 teams will decide the winner.

This might be a bit nerve-wracking to some of you, but rest-assured, I will help guide you along the way and help move things along. At the end, everyone should learn some key concepts: teamwork, point of views, leadership, public speaking, planning, listening, and conciseness. Hope to see you all soon!

We will only choose two of these motions and we can discuss which ones in class, but some topics I have in mind are:
(1) Is climate change the most urgent issue facing humanity today?
(2) Should freedom of speech have limits?
(3) Is social media more harmful than helpful?
(4) Can war ever be justified?
(5) Should the death penalty be abolished?
(6) Should the internet be censored?

[Luis Ko]

do we have to prepare for the topics for the meeting?? or we will figure it out when we get there, just play it by ear??

guess we will have to improvise, if we don't prepare for it lo~

[thomas]

Will replied:
"Ya no preparation just watch the youtube videos."