Use this document to create your memos throughout the semester: although each debate topic has its own materials, the questions to answer are the same for each assignment. Memos will be graded A/B/C/D scale based solely on completeness and how substantial your answers are. There are no right or wrong answers and memos will not be graded based on your opinions. Late submissions will receive half credit. The material to discuss is attached.

Political Science 2041: Instructions for Debate Memos Use this document to create your memos throughout the semester: although each debate topic has its own materials, the questions to answer are the same for each assignment. Please submit this document via email prior to class on the due date and name the document [Your Name] Debate Memo [Memo Number] (e.g. John Smith Debate Memo #1). Remember, you must complete three of the four memos throughout the semester. Or, you can complete all four and drop the lowest grade. Memos will be graded A/B/C/D scale based solely on completeness and how substantial your answers are. There are no right or wrong answers and memos will not be graded based on your opinions. Late submissions will receive half credit. The material is attached to discuss is attached. Please answer the following questions. Each response should be 100-150 words in length. Which side of the debate do you find more convincing? Normatively speaking, what do you think is the strongest argument presented on that side of the debate? Explain why. What would you consider to be the most convincing normative argument made on the other side of the debate? Explain why. What is the most important empirical evidence that authors in the debate materials refer to? Did this empirical evidence play a meaningful role in convincing you of your preferred position? What additional empirical evidence would you like to see on either side of the debate? Is there any evidence that would be so compelling so as to change your overall position? Identify an argument on either side of the debate that was not addressed in the debate materials. Find and briefly summarize an academic or journalistic source that addresses this argument and describe why you find this argument compelling. Give a full citation for the source.