AP US History Debate-1920s
Projects/Reports
Legislating Morality Classroom Debate
Introduction
Formal debates are exercises designed to allow you to strengthen your skills in the areas of
leadership, interpersonal influence, teambuilding, group problem solving, and oral presentation.
Debate topics and position statements are outlined below. All group members are expected to
participate in the research, development, and presentation of your debate position. Preparation
will require substantial library/internet research. Each participating member will receive the
same group grade.
Can we as a society Legislate Morality?
Many Americans are beginning to believe that morality is one’s personal opinion. Can you
make people moral through laws? Are laws put in place to govern people’s moral behavior?
Virtually all of us recognize that the attempt at Prohibition in the 1920s was a failure and that it
did not help to improve American morals. And this failed policy is commonly pointed to as proof
that morality cannot be legislated.
But do we really believe that the law has no place in restraining immoral or sinful or socially
destructive behaviors? Don’t we actually welcome such laws? Or would anyone suggest that we
should not have laws against things like human trafficking or slavery?
Questions to consider for the Debate:
1) First, what exactly is meant, by "legislating morality"?
2) What is the difference (if any) between enforcing laws and enforcing some form of moral
ideology (such as, 'stealing is wrong')?
3) Can a society be free yet be held to a moral standard?
Debate Format
6 minute Position Presentation – Affirmative (for)
6 minute Position Presentation – Negative (against)
4 minute Rebuttal – Affirmative (for)
4 minute Rebuttal – Negative (against)
2 minute Response – Affirmative (for)
2 minute Response – Negative (against)
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1 minute Work Period
2 minute Position Closing Arguments Summary – Affirmative or Negative
2 minute Position Closing Arguments Summary - Affirmative or Negative
5 minute Tallying of Ballots/Announcement of Winner
Debate Procedure
1. The debate will take the form of timed individual and/or group presentations and
responses separated by timed group work periods. The rules applied may deviate from
the formal rules of debating. When questions arise, the judgment of the instructor will
provide the definitive ruling.
2. Prior to the beginning of the class period, both teams are to position their desks at the
front of the room. Each team is to write its team name, debate position, and debate
position statement on the whiteboard behind their desks. Note that absolutely no changes
may be made to the position statements presented below. You must argue them exactly
as written!
3. Team members may use audiovisuals, handouts, powerpoint slides, audio and video, etc.
4. While a team is not required to use all of the time allocated, speakers must stop
immediately when the allocated time runs out.
5. Team members are prohibited from conversing with the audience or opposing team
except at the times specifically allocated to them. Thus, there can be no immediate
interchange of comments between the teams.
6. The sequence of the position summaries will be determined by a random procedure at the
conclusion of the final work period-like a coin toss.
7. Note that no new information may be introduced during the closing arguments summary.
Doing so may result in disqualification of the offending group. If either team feels that
their opponents are introducing new information during the summary, they may challenge
them immediately and request a ruling from the instructor.
Selection of Winner(s) and Allocation of Points
The instructor reserves the right to give fewer than the default or class voted points to a group, if,
in his opinion, the quality of preparation and/or presentation was inadequate. Debate "losers"
who prepare and present adequately will receive 50 points for their efforts.
Debate "Winners" will be selected in two ways, as follows:
Audience Vote: Class members in the audience will vote by secret ballot for a debate winner.
Votes are to be based upon presentation quality only, and not upon personal agreement or
disagreement with the position espoused. At the conclusion of each debate, class members will
be asked to assign a point rating along with explanatory comments to each team for their
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performance during that component. When the debate is over, the point ratings will be summed.
Whichever team has the higher sum will be the winner on that ballot. After all ballots are
collected, the number of votes for each team will be announced. Whichever team has more votes
will be the winner, and the team will receive 10 bonus points in addition to the 50 for basic
preparation. In the event of a tie, Mr G’s vote will decide the winner.
Instructors' Vote: Mr. G. will also evaluate both teams according to the above procedures and
criteria, and select his choice for the winner. The team of his choice will receive 10 bonus
points. Thus, depending upon the nature of the vote split, the "Winner(s)" may receive 10 or 20
bonus points, for a total of either 60 or 70 points for the debate.
Debate Topics
Legislating Gambling
PRO (the Affirmative): Resolved: Gambling has a negative influence on society and is either
accompanied by or leads to much of the social ills that plague our culture-organized crime,
gangsters, prostitution, poverty, increased alcohol and drug use. Therefore gambling (including
casinos and slot machines, sports betting, horse racing, dog racing, etc.) should be illegalized and
limited to only state lottery purchases.
CON (the Negative): Resolved: Legislating gambling will only lead to more illegal activities as
people will still try to practice it anyway. Gambling is only harmful to those who have addictive
personalities. If practiced responsibly under government regulations and guidelines, gambling
should continue or even be expanded.
Legislating Drugs (Marijuana)
PRO (the Affirmative): Resolved: Marijuana is a narcotic that impairs judgement and kills
brain cells. It can also serve as “gateway drug” to harder and more dangerous drugs.
CON (the Negative): Resolved: There are too many people clogging up the criminal justice
system for growing, possessing or dealing marijuana. Marijuana is a less dangerous drug and if
safely regulated or consumed it is no more dangerous than consuming alcohol.
Legislating Guns (Firearms)
PRO (the Affirmative): Resolved: Every year in the United States more and more people are
killed with guns as the primary murder weapon. Gang killings are plaguing our cities-again-guns
are the primary weapon used. On top of that mass killing such as the Connecticut School
massacre and the Colorado theater shooting this past summer are bringing greater calls to
illegalize the buying and carrying of firearms by the general public.
CON (the Negative): Resolved: Guns don’t kill people, it’s the sunful nature of the people that
kill. Illegalizing the buying carrying of firearms will just prevent law-abiding citizens from
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having the means to protect themselves and their families. Responsible gun ownership can be
achieved as long as we keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally unstable.
DEBATE BALLOT
Debate ______________________________________________ Class _____________
Name of Evaluator ____________________________________ Date _____________
1
Poor
2
Fair
3
4
Average
Good
AFFIRMATIVE
5
Excellent
NEGATIVE
6 Minute Position Presentation
Rating = ____
Comments:
Rating = ____
Comments:
***** 5 Minute Work Period *****
4 Minute Rebuttal
Rating = ____
Comments:
Rating = ____
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Comments:
Continued on Reverse ---------->
2 Minute Response
Rating = ____
Comments:
Rating = ____
Comments:
***** 1 Minute Work Period *****
2 Minute Position Closing Arguments Summary
Rating = ____
[
Comments:
Rating = ____
] Total Points
[
Comments:
] Total Points
Circle Winner Below:
AFFIRMATIVE
NEGATVE
General Comments:
Signature of Evaluator:
______________________
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Team Presentation Evaluation
Team Name ____________________________________________
Grade _______
Case _________________________________ Date___________ Duration _______
Content
1 2 3 4 5
Overview (Arguments; Summary of case)
1 2 3 4 5
Diagnosis/Analysis (Review of Issues/Problems in case)
1 2 3 4 5
Summary/Conclusion (Review of major points; Statement of relevance to
practice of management)
Process
1 2 3 4 5
Verbal Behavior (clarity/choice of words/voice level)
1 2 3 4 5
Nonverbal Behavior (posture; gestures/movement; eye contact; presence;
use of notes/reading)
1 2 3 4 5
Variety in Style (lecture; discussion; video, powerpoint))
1 2 3 4 5
Audiovisual Support (Transparencies; PowerPoint; blackboard; video)
1 2 3 4 5
Level of Audience Involvement (Stimulation/structuring of activity/disc)
1 2 3 4 5
Timing (Within limit; coordination; use of time)
1 2 3 4 5
General Coherence (Ability to follow points; quality of transitions)
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Content
Process
Strengths
Weaknesses
Improvements
General Comments
Signature of Evaluator:
50
__________________________________
Mr. Mark Gonzalez
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