In class in Week 13, we decided to take our time and discuss Persuasive Presentations at greater length, the better to pick apart the strengths and weaknesses of one others’ arguments. Therefore, we saw about half the presentations.
At the end of class, I presented the argument that the best solution to (nonviolent) “social conflict” is to accept that it is a healthy and necessary part of life in a democratic society, and we discussed my arguments as well.
Since we’ll be discussing critical thinking—the strength and weakness of arguments—please make sure you’re ready to think on your feet (i.e. to think and talk spontaneously) in class next time.
LOOKING FORWARD
In Week 14, we’ll finish off discussing your Persuasive Presentations.
LOOKING FURTHER FORWARD: YOUR FINAL EXAM
As I mentioned in the past, your Final Exam will be in Week 15, at the same place and time that our class is normally held on Tuesdays. The date for the exam is therefore 12 December 2023.
You will make a Persuasive Presentation for your final presentation. Here’s the topic:
Improving Life at Our University.
Students often talk about (or complain) about aspects of university life. From the quality of food in cafeterias, to the size of classes, to the availability of studying spaces in the library, there are all kinds of possible ways to improve life for students.
However, I want you to think hard about what the best approach for improving student life would be. What’s one change that the university—or students, or professors, or someone specific—could make that would improve life for students on campus?
Feel free to focus on a specific subset of students, such as students who commute to campus, or foreign students, or students with a physical disability, for example.
Your presentation should be approximately 10 minutes long. Powerpoint is not necessary.
I will be recording your exam, and sharing a video like I did with the Midterm Exam. Similarly, you will be evaluating one another and submitting feedback based on your evaluations. Completing this feedback will be worth another 7.5% of your overall grade.
You will be evaluated both in terms of the presentation techniques we studied before Midterm Exams, and the structure and critical skills we’ve been working on since Midterm Exams. A powerpoint is optional—you really don’t need one—but if you make one, make sure that it reflects our class’s guidelines on making a good powerpoint.
If you have any questions about the Final Exam, please let me know in class on Day 14, as that will be your last chance to ask about it in person before the exam day.