The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
Asian Immigration Debate Assignment
Western Expansion/Hajduk/Fall 2000
• Reading assignment: Please review "The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act Congressional Debate". Be sure to read the positions of John Franklin Miller and John Adam Kasson in this debate. And, read "The Acts and Court Rulings Pertaining to Asian Immigrants" on the CD-ROM On Common Ground.
• Question to debate: Were the Asian Exclusion Legislative Acts (against both the Chinese and Japanese immigrants) an understandable and necessary action based on certain social, political, and economic realities of the time? (Please consider the involvement of both the Federal and State governments!)
*Students will be assigned to the following positions:
| Supporting Asian Immigration legislation (anti-Asian) | Protesting Asian Immigration legislation (pro-Asian) | Impartial Judges (expected to find fault with BOTH groups' arguments) |
Debate Format: Total time: 64 minutes
| Introduction of argument for side 1 | 5 min |
| Introduction of argument for side 2 | 5 min |
| Arguments for side 1 | 10 min |
| Arguments for side 2 | 10 min |
| Questions from Judges for both sides | 12 mins |
| Preparation for rebuttal arguments | 7 mins |
| Closing arguments side 1 | 5 min |
| Closing arguments side 2 | 5 min |
| Judges final remarks and decision | 5 min |
Specific Assignment:
• Each group (for, against and judges) will hand in a typed outline of the points that their side will address during the course of the debate.
• Each individual will hand in a typed, formally written argument relaying her specific angle on the issue. This should be approximately 1-2 pages double spaced!
*NOTE: Each person's argument will be unique and will include several specific examples backing up the argument from the class readings or outside research. In other words, avoid repetition in your arguments!
• Each individual should include a formal bibliography of their sources at the bottom of their written argument.
• During the actual debate individuals may NOT read these formal arguments in their entirety. Individuals may excerpt portions or prepare a summary of the points to argue.
• EACH person on your "team" must speak during the actual debate.