debate

In this problem solving group work activity students participate in a panel discussion of Roman historical figures to learn how the military expansion of the Roman Republic affected Rome. Students will be introduced to eight Romans, such as Cicero, Hortensia, and Spartacus. Each group prepares to bring to life their historical figure for a panel discussion, complete with costumes, masks, props, prepared questions, and illustrated nameplates. During the discussion, panelists argue whether the military expansion of the Roman Republic helped or hurt Rome. Read and discuss the information on Handout 1.4A. You should have a thorough understanding of their Roman historical figure so they can bring him or her to life during the panel discussion focusing on this question: //Did military expansion of the Roman Republic help or hurt Rome?//
 * Step 1: Learn about your historical figure.**

Prepare to bring to life the historical figure you have been assigned. To do so, you should first identify five important points your historical figure would make in response to this question: //Did military expansion of the Roman Republic help or hurt Rome?// Then, you should create five questions that will bring out the five important points they want your historical figure to make. The Supportive Audience Member is responsible for typing your group's questions on a separate sheet of paper for credit. Your group must come up with dramatic and convincing ways for the Actor to answer each supportive question. For example, the Actor might pretend to be overcome with sadness and raise a tissue to his or her eye when describing the plight of the poor farmers. The Actor is responsible for typing your ideas for how to respond and turn them in for credit. Your group must create probing questions to expose weaknesses in the arguments of other Roman historical figures during the panel discussion. To do so carefully examine Handout 1.4C to find out which figures have ideas that oppose your historical figure. Pair up and read additional information about those figures and think of one good probing question that will expose their weaknesses or show poor judgment on their behalf. The Critical Audience Member is responsible for typing the probing questions on a separate sheet of paper for credit.
 * Step 2: Create supportive questions. **
 * Step 3: Prepare the Actor to answer the supportive questions.**
 * Step 4: Create probing questions to ask the other historical figures.**

**Step 5: Prepare materials for the panel discussion.** You will need to create or gather costumes, props, a mask, a nameplate, and an introductory statement. Make sure you refer to the checklist on Handout 1.4D. Some helpful hints: • Most Romans wore togas. Refer to my link on how to make a toga. diagram of how to wrap your toga • Decorate the mask and make it realistic using yarn for hair or adding a headpiece. Make sure the mask can be attached to the Actor's face. Cut holes for the eyes, and mouth. • Supportive Audience Members are responsible for creating the nameplate that will be displayed on the table in front of the Actor on the day of the panel discussion. Make sure the nameplate has letters large enough to be seen and read by everyone in the room. Also, the nameplate should contain a simple visual that represents his or her views on the effects of military conquest. • The Public Relations Agent is responsible for typing the introductory statement that they will read at eh beginning of the panel discussion. The statement should introduce your figure and include information about his or her occupation, accomplishments, personal life, and views on the effects of military expansion. You will be given some time to rehearse for the panel discussion. Strategize about how to present your historical figures effectively during the panel discussion. The Public Relation Agents should practice delivering the introductory statement crisply. The Supportive and Critical Audience Members should practice posing their questions clearly and dramatically. The Actor should rehearse his or her answers to supportive questions asked by the Supportive Audience Member. __ You may consult Wikipedia for additional information any of the figures involved in our panel discussions. Be careful to only use information found in the handouts you were given and the Wikipedia site.
 * Step 6: Rehearse for the panel discussion.**
 * Additonal Research Links** __