Consider: What is "fair" in the case of David Cash?

Your Task:

Over the course of this case study you will have to decide whether or not your agree with the idea that David Cash should be expelled from the University of California - Berkeley. In order to do this, you will need to complete both first draft and second draft reads of the sources below, in the order they appear.

As you move through the sources you will be asked to fill out the note catcher below. This will help you keep track of the information as you encounter it and also reflect on the credibility of each source.

After completing both first and second draft reads of each source, you will be ask to hypothesize whether or not you believe that Cash should be expelled from UC Berkeley.

The Note Catcher:

Below, please watch the video I recorded that explains the how to use this note catcher to track your thinking and your analysis of sources.

Click here for a copy of the note catcher that you can fill out as you progress through this case study.

Source 1 - 60 Minutes Videos

First Draft Read

As you watch, only concern yourself with the first two columns (evidence for or against the expulsion of Cash). You may also want to track questions in the question column as they occur to you.

Please note, this video is in two parts. Watch both.

Here is a copy of Source 1 to use with school computers that block YouTube:

Second Draft Read

Before starting your second draft read, compare the evidence that you gathered on your note catcher with our collaborative evidence tracker here. Add anything you might have missed to your individual note catcher.

Then we will start our second draft read. This time, we are going to watch and practice our analysis skills - particularly when it comes to applying our credibility considerations.

After watching the second draft read of this video, add your "notices" to far right column of the note catcher.

Hypothesis 1:

I know you have only seen one source, but we have to start somewhere. After watching this source, do you agree or disagree with the idea that David Cash should be expelled from Berkeley. Write your thinking, including why, in the box on the note catcher labeled "Hypothesis 1".

Introduction to Flipgrid - We will use this for our discussions

Discussion:

Please complete these two steps:

1. After formulating your hypothesis, record a 3 minute discussion of your point of view here, using Flipgrid. State whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the idea the Cash ought to be expelled from Berkeley. Please support your point of view with at least two points of credible evidence.

2. After recording your video, find a video that someone recorded that has the opposite point of view as yours. Watch their video. Then post a "comment" by recording a response to their perspective. Make sure you directly uptake something from their video and reply - you may either agree or disagree, in part or in whole, with their perspective. Make sure that you are using clear logic and evidence to support your perspective. A Note: before posting your video, consider:

AN IMPORTANT WORD ABOUT DISCUSSIONS:

Discussion is an important component of this class - we will sharpen our analysis, argument, and critical thinking skills by sharing verbally with each other. In order to do this effectively, I will expect each of you to follow these three guidelines (adopted from Not Light But Fire, by Matt Kay).

1. Listen Patiently - Student doesn't interrupt each other/raise their hands/talk/ or think about the next point they are going to make, instead of actively listening.

2. Listen Actively - Student attempts to genuinely understand what is being said by another student, and references those comments in their own.

3. Police Your Voice - Student doesn't ramble or stray far off topic, is aware of the level and tone of their voice, and monitors "passion" so that these don't get in the way of being understood.

Try framing your discussion this way (from 3 Smart Ways to Keep Yourself from Rambling, by Lea McLeod):

First state you Point (your hypothesis), then your Reason - why you think so, then an Example - the evidence that backs up your position.

Source 2 - Newsweek Article

First Draft Read

As you read, only concern yourself with the first two columns (evidence for or against Cash's expulsion). You may also want to track questions in the question column as they occur to you.

Second Draft Read

Then we will start our second draft read. This time, let's practice our analysis skills - particularly when it comes to applying our credibility considerations. See my annotations on the first part of this article and the video where I explain my thinking.

After watching the second draft read of this video and looking at my annotations, it is your turn to try. Finish your second draft read of the article and add your own annotations to the piece. Add your "notices" to far right column of the note catcher.

Hypothesis 2:

Before starting your second hypothesis, compare the evidence that you gathered on your note catcher with our collaborative evidence tracker here. Add anything you might have missed to your individual note catcher.

After reading this source do you agree or disagree , do you agree or disagree with the idea that David Cash should be expelled from Berkeley. Write your thinking, including why, in the box on the note catcher labeled "Hypothesis 2".

Discussion:

Please complete these three steps:

1. Find your initial video and watch any responses that were left to it. If no one left a response video, find someone's video that shares your perspective that did received a response. Consider how you might counter someone who has an opposing view point to yours. Or consider whether you were convinced by their opinion and have now changed your mind. If you did change your mind, take a minute and revise your hypothesis to reflect this.

2. After formulating your revised hypothesis, record a 3 minute discussion of your point of view here, using Flipgrid. Please post your video has a "comment" reply to your initial video. This way we can keep track of how your point of view has grown and become more nuanced. Think about addressing the concerns expressed by someone with an opposing view point. State whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the idea the Cash ought to be expelled from Berkeley. Please support your point of view with at least two new points of credible evidence that build off of the evidence you have used before. Do not repeat your evidence. If you have changed your mind, your new hypothesis and your discussion should reflect this.

3. After recording your video, find a new video that someone recorded that has the opposite point of view as yours - either in their initial video or in a response video. Watch this video. Then post a new "comment" by recording a response to their perspective. Make sure you directly uptake something from their video and reply - you may either agree or disagree, in part or in whole, with their perspective. Make sure that you are using clear logic and evidence to support your perspective. A Note: you may be passionate in your response, but you must also be civil.

Source 3 - Source Packet

First and Second Draft Reads

As you read, only concern yourself with the first two columns (evidence for or against Cash's expulsion). You may also want to track questions in the question column as they occur to you.

This time, you will break off into small groups and divide and conquer the information. Your task, for the sources you do read, is to complete both a first and second draft read of the sources. Then you will share out what you read and your analysis with your group mates, so they can add to their note catchers.

Hypothesis 3:

Before starting your third hypothesis, compare the evidence that you gathered on your note catcher with our collaborative evidence tracker here. Add anything you might have missed to your individual note catcher.

After reading these sources do you agree or disagree , do you agree or disagree with the idea that David Cash should be expelled from Berkeley. Write your thinking, including why, in the box on the note catcher labeled "Hypothesis 3".

Discussion

Please complete these three steps:

1. Find your your last video and watch any responses that were left to it. If no one left a response video, find someone's video that shares your perspective that did received a response. Consider how you might counter someone who has an opposing view point to yours. Or consider whether you were convinced by their opinion and have now changed your mind. If you did change your mind, take a minute and revise your hypothesis to reflect this.

2. After formulating your revised hypothesis, record a 3 minute discussion of your point of view here, using Flipgrid. Please post your video has a "comment" reply to your initial video. This way we can keep track of how your point of view has grown and become more nuanced. Think about addressing the concerns expressed by someone with an opposing view point. State whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the idea the Cash ought to be expelled from Berkeley. Please support your point of view with at least two new points of credible evidence that build off of the evidence you have used before. Do not repeat your evidence. If you have changed your mind, your new hypothesis and your discussion should reflect this.

3. After recording your video, find a new video that someone recorded that has the opposite point of view as yours - either in their initial video or in a response video. Watch this video. Then post a new "comment" by recording a response to their perspective. Make sure you directly uptake something from their video and reply - you may either agree or disagree, in part or in whole, with their perspective. Make sure that you are using clear logic and evidence to support your perspective. A Note: you may be passionate in your response, but you must also be civil.

Hypothesis Final Revision:

Before revising your hypothesis a last time, take a minute and browse through the Flipgrid videos, specifically look for any videos that responded to your perspective, but also look at videos from people who share your perspective.

After viewing, make any changes to your final hypothesis you feel will improve it.

Then, go back through your note catcher and highlight at least 4 of the strongest pieces of evidence you feel you can cite to support your perspective. Then, go back through your note catcher and highlight in a different color the most compelling piece of evidence for the opposing side that you might have to account for.

Turn your Hypothesis into an Argument

Your Task:

Use all of the sources that we have read, our analysis of their credibility, and our class discussions to compose an argument articulating your opinion regarding what is "fair" in the case of David Cash. Here is what you need to know...

Rhetorical Situation:

• Speaker: You are writing as if you are a student at Cal Berkeley at the time David Cash was enrolled there

• Audience: You are writing to the Student Senate

• Subject: What position, if any, the Student Senate ought to take on David Cash

• Purpose: You are writing to either urge them to consider a resolution to ask the university to expel or to not expel David Cash, and/or to take any other additional action against David Cash

• Genre: A formal, persuasive letter

• Context: You can assume everyone knows who David Cash is, and that he failed to take action to save Iverson/turn in Jeremy. Do not assume everyone knows what he has said since then.

Tips for success:

This assignment is an argument, so your writing must have the “parts” of an argument:

• Claim

• Data/Evidence

• Warrant/Commentary

• Rebuttal

It must be no shorter than one 1 and 1/2 page, typed.