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Assignment Purpose & Learning Outcomes
Both ARSC 104 and ARSC 105 conclude with an in-class debate centered on a topic that reflects the overarching themes of the course. In these debates, students are asked to evaluate how different stakeholders would be impacted by and respond to the central question. This activity encourages students to consider multiple perspectives and to reflect on how motivated reasoning can shape different responses to socioscientific issues. Ultimately, the debate highlights the complexity of these topics and reinforces the idea that there are rarely clear-cut, black-and-white answers.
ARSC104 Debate
"Should Bryan/College Station use only renewable energy sources?"
Students are asked to defend their position from one of the following four perspectives:
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Petroleum Industry
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Environmental advocacy group
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University Geoscientists
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Local Farmers
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Even if students personally disagree with the group’s position, they are challenged to take on someone else’s perspective.
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​Below you will find materials used in the course for the in-class debate including assignment instructions, presentations, in-class preparation exercises, and reflection assignments.
These lecture slides provide students with the assignment details, as well as an exercise to help them get started on the assignment.
Use this handout in conjunction with the lecture slides to help students think about what factors to consider when evaluating how each group would respond to the debate question.
After the debate, students have the opportunity to reflect on the assignment.