Each pair of groups picks one of the topics and debate in class on a scheduled date.
The debate is a group work, not every body has to talk (but at least 4 persons should debate), and not everyone has to speak with equal time. Everyone could rebut during the discussion/rebuttal time regardless if you speak during debate. Those who speak less or doesn’t speak could be assigned to help more with searching for information/examples/facts/arguments for the debate and with slides preparation. During the debate, you are encouraged to actively interact with class. Role play is also encouraged. Each group should work together to fill out and turn in one Debate Assignment Sheet after debate (see the form in the last page of the handout).
Process
Each group sends me PPT slides at least two hours before your debate. If you want feedback on your slides, you shall send me slides at least 2 days earlier.
Each group has 15 minutes for debate (presenting their views/arguments with concepts and facts/examples, including class involvement/interaction).
After both groups’ presentations, both groups and class have 2 minutes to discuss and raise your questions for each other. Each group may raise 1-3 questions.
It is limited to 3 minutes for each question to be raised, answered, and rebutted. Everyone is expected to participate regardless of if you are a debater or not.
List all cited sources for each group at the end.
List job assignment (Name and Role about who does what specific job) in the last slide.
Each listening group takes a side based on the debate.
Research
I have reserved a book “Taking Sides – Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Management” in Library for you to check out for two hours. The book includes articles on both sides of each debate topic. Each group can also use textbook information and needs to do your own research and find facts and examples (better with statistics and numbers) to support your arguments/thesis.
Debate 1 on Outsourcing
One group acts as pro-outsourcing supporters while another group acts as anti-outsourcing.
Pro-outsourcing group needs to discuss at least 3 or more aspects of upsides/pros/advantages/benefits/positive impacts of outsourcing on outsourcing nation. You may choose among those stakeholders groups: consumers, employees, companies (cost saving, diversification, competitiveness…), economy, environmental effect, national security, etc.
Anti-outsourcing groups needs to discuss at least 3 or more aspects of
Downsides/cons/disadvantages/negative impacts of outsourcing on outsourcing nation. You may choose among those stakeholders groups: consumers, employees, companies, economy, environment, national security, etc.
Debate 2 on Corporate Social Responsibility
One group acts as free market advocates while another group acts as CSR advocates.
You may read Ch 17 Managing Corporate Social Responsibility Globally in addition to your own research and the book reserved in Library.
For free market advocates:
You shall discuss at least 3 aspects of the issue, such as why the social responsibility of business is to increase its profit (in Ch 17 of the textbook), why MNEs should have no intervention in local affairs (in Ch 17), and why companies don’t need to fulfill CSR in host countries that have lower or lax requirements on CSR.
For CSR advocates:
You shall discuss at least 3 aspects of the issue, such as why companies have to fulfill more than economic level of social responsibility (see Ch 17 of the textbook), why MNEs should have active CSR engagement overseas (in Ch 17), and why companies should fulfill same strong CSR in both home and host countries.
Debate 3 on Foreignness – Are US CEOs Overpaid?
One group debates for Yes, overpaid and another group debate for Not overpaid. Although the debate is about US CEOS, you may mention CEO examples from other countries to support your argument if relevant.
Read the articles in the
