Group Project Guidelines

Take a position on a controversial topic and build a complex argument in support of it. Try to make your case as logical and as convincing as possible – you will be graded on the quality of the argument.

During the final week of the semester, each group will present its argument and diagram to the class as a power point presentation and will respond to questions and comments. All group members are required to participate in the construction of the argument, the oral presentation, and the ensuing discussion.

Your complex argument must include at least 3 of the 6 argument forms that we learned in class. Write out the argument in standard form, and at the end of each conclusion indicate in parentheses the premises supporting it and the argument form used. In addition, provide a diagram of the argument.

On the First Day that we work on this in class, form groups and select a topic and position. (Make sure your position is controversial – otherwise you aren’t challenging yourself.) Then start brainstorming reasons that would support your conclusion. For homework, continue brainstorming, and start thinking about which argument form to use with each of the reasons.

You can do research to find evidence supporting your claims, but the main lines of argument should be original, all the parts of the argument should be stated in your own words, and a complete citation of all of your sources should be included in a bibliography appended to your argument. You may use any standard citation method that includes all of the relevant information (including exact page numbers if it is a printed source and the exact date and URL if it is a webpage).

On the Second Day in class, you should start with an extensive list of reasons supporting your conclusion, and begin structuring the complex argument. Determine which argument forms to use with each of the reasons, and how to fit together the various simple arguments into a complex argument. I’ll be available during class to answer questions. Divide up the different parts of the argument and the diagramming among the members of your group, and select one person to compile them together and edit the entire argument.

You will need to spend time outside of class working on this. Each group must email me their argument as a Word or Powerpoint file by Saturday at Noon. I’ll compile the arguments and email them to class members as reading assignments for next week. Bring your diagram to class next week.

Example:

The Teleological Argument (IBE Version)

1. A biological organism is incalculably intricate and complex, and there are two possible explanations for this: It was designed by an intelligent creature, or it came into existence due to random chance.

2. The intelligent design explanation is more fruitful and conservative, and has a broader scope than the random chance explanation.

3. Therefore, the biological organism was probably designed by an intelligent creature. (Inference to the Best Explanation, 1, 2)

4. The only creature that is sufficiently intelligent to design the biological organism is God.

5. Therefore, The biological organism was probably designed by God. (Causal Argument, 3, 4)

6. If something that was designed exists, then its designer must exist.

7. Therefore, if the biological organism exists, then God probably exists. (Application of 5 to 6)

8. The biological organism exists.

9. Therefore, God probably exists. (Modus Ponens, 7, 8)