Panel Discussion

Negotiating War

In this activity, students will debate a contemporary war or armed conflict in a panel discussion, presenting a diverse range of perspectives on the use of military force.

WAR & ACTIVISM LESSON 2:
PANEL DISCUSSION

Time Required

2-3 class periods (120-180 min)

Resources

VIDEO:

A Culture of War Video and Transcript (as needed)

HANDOUTS:

Unit Research
Handout 1 (as needed)
Handout 2 (as needed)
Handout 3 (as needed)

WORKSHEET:

Panel Discussion Worksheet

TEACHING PLAN:

Panel Discussion Activity

Subject Areas

  • History and Social Studies

Place > Africa
Place > The Americas
Place > Asia
Place > Europe
Place > The Middle East
Themes > Civil Rights
Themes > Culture
Themes > Immigration/Migration
Themes > Politics and Citizenship
Themes > Religion
Themes > War and Foreign Policy
World > The Modern World

Student Skills

  • Analysis
  • Compare and contrast
  • Critical thinking
  • Cultural analysis
  • Data analysis
  • Debate skills
  • Discussion
  • Evaluating arguments
  • Gathering, classifying and interpreting written, oral and visual information
  • Historical analysis
  • Internet skills
  • Interpretation
  • Logical reasoning
  • Making inferences and drawing conclusions
  • Map skills
  • Media analysis
  • Online research
  • Oral communication
  • Oral presentation skills
  • Persuasive writing and speaking
  • Representing ideas and information orally and graphically
  • Research
  • Summarizing
  • Synthesis
  • Technology
  • Using primary sources
  • Using secondary sources

Common Core Standards

  • ELA Reading: 1, 7
  • ELA Writing: 7, 9
  • ELA Speaking & Listening: 1-2, 4-6
  • HSS Reading: 1, 3, 6-10
  • HSS Writing: 7, 9
LESSON 2 HANDOUTS

LESSON 2 STUDENT ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Extended Learning

  • Present panel discussions as part of a class initiative to raise awareness of a specific war, armed conflict, or human rights abuse (see Class Action Activity), with individual panels focusing on specific geographical areas or historical aspects of the conflict (local repercussions, political origins, international impact, etc.).
  • Allow additional time for preparation of arguments (in-class or as an assignment) and panel discussions, asking students to research their conflict in more depth (see War & Activism Unit Research handout for related resources), or to incorporate digital media into their presentations.
  • Present panel discussions as a school or public forum (see our Information for Teachers), allowing additional time for introductions, presentations, roundtable discussions, and questions from the audience.
  • Arguments may also be turned in as written summaries, response papers, or media presentations.