| Case Study |
The World Trade Organisation: From the 'Battle for Seattle' to 'Hullabaloo in Hong Kong' |
| Type of Activity |
Group preparation and presentation followed by mock debate |
| Skills Developed |
-
Presentation skills
-
Independent research skills
-
Critical and argumentation skills
-
Team-working skills
|
| Context |
Module |
Wealth and Power in the Global Economy |
| Level |
5 |
| Number of Students |
30 students |
Preparation
Following repeated disruptions of its meetings by anti-globalisation protestors the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has decided in advance of its next Ministerial Meeting to invite hostile activists to a forum to facilitate mutual understanding.
In the previous tutorial the students are split into two groups - one group representing the World Trade Organisation, the other representing the anti-globalisation movement. Each group is asked to come prepared with a presentation lasting no more than 12 minutes to deliver to the imaginary forum. They are also told to be prepared to defend their view in a subsequent debate. It is left to each group to decide who and how their talk will be delivered.
The tutor needs to ensure that the teaching room is appropriately arranged for the conduct of an adversarial debate.
Tutorial
The tutor takes the role of chair of the session. The tutor should remind both teams of the ground rules and the way the session will run. The team representing the WTO then makes their presentation followed by the presentation of the anti-globalisation movement.
Next both sides are given a chance to confer for three minutes about questions they would like to pose to the opposition. The debate is opened by a question from the anti-globalisation movement. Each side is then given the opportunity to ask questions alternately as far as time allows.
At the end of the session the tutor sums up the key points made by each side and main controversies.
A vote is taken to see who has won the debate.
Benefits of this teaching method
By requiring them to work as part of a team this exercise sensitises students to the problems and possibilities of working as part of a team to achieve a common objective. This exercise also enables the to build on the presentation skills engendered elsewhere in the module. Often groups divide their presentation up in a way that everyone contributes but you may wish to make this mandatory. This can be important in building the confidence of those who would not normally get involved in tutorial discussions.
Students enhance their independent research skills. The resources to which the students are initially directed contain only the basic points. In order to substantiate them with evidence they will need to conduct extensive research.
The other value of this exercise is that it requires students not only to make their case but to defend it against criticism. To be fully effective they need to be cognisant of both sides of the debate and to identify the criticisms they are likely to encounter. The effectiveness of this is heightened by the fact that many students are placed in the group which is asked to argue the opposite of what they believe. This forces them to reconsider their own position and to find ways of justifying it.
Support Material
Handout: Each team is given a handout reminding them of their task and the ground rules associated with it; there is a handout for the WTO delegation and a handout for the Protesters. They are also given some hints about where to look for pertinent material.
Battle for Seattle Leaflets One and Two: These are examples of leaflets designed by the students.