Journal Blog #7: 2 arguments.

We are nearing the end as we are in our final preparations of thinking, brainstorming, organizing, and outlining. In class, you had the opportunity to consider arguments and test them out with classmates. In this journal blog, I would like you to share what 1-2 arguments you have found to be the strongest support for your debatable position.

Remember that the best arguments--the most persuasive arguments--are ones that people can relate to. You have stories of real people (sourced possibly from the news or even academic work) that exemplify the point that you're trying to make. If your argument is purely based on your own experience, you should know by now that this doesn't withstand a thoughtful critique. Evidence with support is what gives credibility to your argument. This is your challenge.

Briefly and concisely, state your position and your two arguments that you plan to use to support your position. Make your first post by Friday. Then, please respond to two of your classmates and feel free to challenge them on their arguments. Make your response posts by class time next week. Remember to include your ID# in your post.

Aj. M

Journal Blog #6: Critique.

This week and next, we are working to sharpen our critiquing skills. Remember that to critique is to analyse and interrogate the arguments, either on their credibility or on their logic, in order to make an assessment of the source.

In class, we looked at an article by Justin Heifetz (posted at the Google site) who is a former reporter for the Bangkok Post. He is highly critical of Thailand's largest English language news source, and he charges them with kowtowing to influential figures, and not doing their job as a media organization. He also charges them with treating their foreign reporter staff unequally to the Thai staff writers.

Next class, we will look at the Bangkok Post's side of the story. They published a rebuttal to Heifetz' article and it is also posted at the Google Site (Bangkok Post_rebuts_CJR.pdf). This is posted in the Critique Practice folder on the left column. Read both sources, and put your analytical skills to work.

In your view, which is the more credible source. With everything we now know about voice, argumentation, logic, and fallacies, which side do you think you're on? Explain why.

Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #5: State your Premises.

In this blog post, we are taking the next step to developing our topic proposal. By now, hopefully you have identified a highly debatable issue that is related to our theme and related to your interest. I'm hoping that we can make a clear link between the issue of your choice and your positionality.

Also by now, it should be clear what your position is on the issue. You need to know this, and know it clearly. If you do not have a clear opinion, I recommend that you reconsider the topic.

Making an opinion is an easy thing to do. We do it several times per day. When someone asks us our opinion on any given subject, we can usually answer. We may feel strongly or not strongly, but nevertheless we can usually recognize which side of the debate we are on.

The harder part is to outline how we arrive at our opinion. That is, can we identify what assumptions we have on which our opinion is based. These assumptions are what we call premises.

For example, I may have a clear and direct position such as this: I do not support the building of dams on the Mekong River. This is an easy statement to make. The harder step is to outline premises that lead me to this position. There are many ways to do it. But it depends on how I intend to argue this.

Let's say that I want to argue it from an environmental perspective.

I may begin like this:

The Mekong River is one of the most ecologically diverse and sensitive rivers in the world.

This premise sets the argument around the river being "ecologically diverse and sensitive". Let's develop from here.

An ecologically diverse and sensitive river requires a stable environment in order to survive.

Here I have introduced the importance of a "stable environment". Keep going.

Damming the Mekong River will bring instability to the environment, which will threaten the diversity and sensitivity of this river.

This premise introduces the impact of the dam. Which will take me to the final premise.

It is very important to protect and preserve the diversity and sensitivity of the Mekong River.

This premise introduces the importance of protecting the unique ecology of the Mekong, which ultimately brings me to my position.

I do not support the building of dams on the Mekong River.

In the end, my argument looks like this all together:

The Mekong River is one of the most ecologically diverse and sensitive rivers in the world. An ecologically diverse and sensitive river requires a stable environment in order to survive. Damming the Mekong River will bring instability to the environment, which will threaten the diversity and sensitivity of this river. It is very important to protect and preserve the diversity and sensitivity of the Mekong River. I do not support the building of dams on the Mekong River.

This is a well-reasoned position. And it is argued from an environmental perspective (and not an economic or social perspective). You need to know what type of debate you're having, and it should be reflected in your premises. 

In this blog, I want you to share your reasoning by outlining your premises that lead to your position.

Remember to include your ID# in your post. Please make your post by May 28. Aj. M

Journal Blog #4: Identify a Debatable Situation.

As we prepare for the Argumentative Essay Proposal, we are exploring a variety of issues that are relevant to our region, whether they be political, economic, cultural, environmental, or otherwise. If one pays some attention to the news, there are any number of problems or issues that have implications for the region. They are difficult. They are complex. And no one really knows the solution. That is what makes any of these issues potentially high quality topics for an ARW2 essay.

In this journal blog, I want you to identify a situation. A situation describes a problem, who is involved, where its happening, and why it matters. Provide some context for us to understand why this situation matters for people in our region. And please remember that it must be debatable. If no one is likely to disagree, then there is no debate.

As I review your posts, I may be able to give you some advice about how to proceed. Please note that topics are first-come/first-serve on this blog. Review the posts before yours, and make sure no one else is doing the same thing. If your situation has been posted already, consider a different issue.

Remember to include your ID# in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: Describe the Debate.

Before examining any issue, it is important to understand why it is an issue in the first place. We can usually see where our bias falls, on one side or another; however, it is often difficult to see or understand the other side of the debate if we don't take the time to educate ourselves about others' experiences.

In our class, we are working on summarizing the issue of damming the Mekong river. You all noted the possible economic advantages for a poor and developing region. However, you also noted the environmental and cultural impact it may have to the local peoples. Two examples from the previous blog were highlighted. It is your job to break those examples down and put them into your own words. This is in order to describe the debate.

For this post, you are allowed to work with a partner. Please post your best summary of the highlighted examples that were handed out to you in class. The better posts will be reviewed in our next class together.

Remember to include your ID#s in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #2: Damming the Mekong River.

Thank you for your comments on Journal Blog #1. It is amazing that one of the longest and most influential rivers in the world is for so many people, so mysterious and unknown. It is a rural river. But most of the people of the countries through which the Mekong flows are rural people, including Thailand. However, even us in Bangkok are highly affected by it. The Mekong feeds the northern rivers that feed the Chaophaya. Most of our food production depends on the health of the Mekong. But because it does not flow through our lives, it is out of our minds.

On the other hand, it is very meaningful to other people. Again, I have posted two more videos posted on the Google Site. These videos give very different perspectives about dam development on the Mekong, specifically the Xayaburi dam that is under construction in central Laos.

Watch the videos. I want you to notice the different points of view. One video gives reasons that does not support dam construction, but the other one does. What reasons are strongest for you? Overall, based on your knowledge, what is your opinion of the Xayaburi dam?

Your first post is due by Friday, midnight. You are expected to then reply to TWO classmates' posts by before class on Monday. So you will need a total of 3 posts to receive full participation credit. Feel free to disagree with your classmates, as this is a very debatable issue.

Remember to include your ID# and Section # in all of your posts. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Meaning of the Mekong.

To begin this course of ARW2, we will learn about the course of the Mekong River. It has been a fascination of mine since I first visited it 16 years ago. Since then I have read many books and stories about this river only to find that I am not alone in my fascination of it. Rivers in the world have made civilizations possible as communities developed around them for the water, food, and connectivity it provides. The Mekong, on the other hand, is a border. It is a line that divides. It is a major river of the world, yet the world knows little of it.

Watch the video on the ARW ETC site about the Mekong and the development of it. Learn about its necessity for those who live near it and for many countries downstream. And learn about the development of hydro electricity and what that means for livelihoods, the environment, and international relations.

In this first journal blog, share 1-2 main ideas that you learned about the Mekong River that you have never known before. Also, describe one issue (either economic, environmental, cultural, or political) that you never knew about but you think is important.

Remember to include you ID# and your Section # in your post. I look forward to reading your thoughts. Aj. M