Project three
This project will culminate in a debate about a public policy issue. There
are two milestones plus an in-class debate.
Milestone 1
Each group will pick three ranked debate topics from the following list
and send their choices to Hal Varian.
He will then (try to) assign each group a topic from the set it chose,
while also ensuring that each topic has two groups assigned to it
to facilitate a debate. (Please note: this may not be possible! In cases
of ties, the earlier email takes precedence.)
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GSM might be perceived as an example of a triumph of a standardized government
driven approach over a chaotic market driven shakeout. The Internet vs.
ISO networking standards might be perceived as the opposite. Resolved:
the United States Federal government should take a more activist role in
setting technology standards.
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In the US, and in many states, information compiled by governments is generally
made available to users at the cost of reproduction. Examples in include
census data, patent data, court decisions, geographic data, etc. In England,
the Crown holds a copyright on such data and licenses its use. Resolved:
the US model is superior.
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Domain name registration for com, org, and net, is currently managed by
Network Solutions International. Describe how this came about and outline
the current debate surrounding the Domain Name System. Resolved: the
private market will provide a better solution to domain name registration
than a not-for-profit regulated firm.
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There are two approaches to content regulation to protect children from
pornographic materials: labeling and age verification. Labeling requires
content providers (or others) to label the materials and parents, or other
responsible parties, to take steps to control access. Age verification
requires content providers to verify age by requiring credit card numbers
or digital certificates before allowing access. Resolved: age
verification is the preferred method.
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Resolved: Business process patents are a good idea and should be encouraged
by both industry and government. (Note: you may propose variations
on the current patent office policies)
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Resolved: Appropriate levels of computer and network security are best
achieved by marketplace, and not government action.
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Resolved: Broadband Internet services to the home provided by cable
or telecom companies should be required to offer a choice of ISP.
Milestone 2
Each group will research and discuss both sides of this issue
(considering both sides is at the heart of strategic thinking):
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A 5-10 page background paper outlining the background and issues
involved on both sides of this issue and post it in the "groups
and projects" area on the class Web site. Please do not discuss this research
with the other group working on your project; we want these to be independent.
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Two one-page outlines, one for the affirmative and one for the negative
position, outlining the key points that you would use in arguing this side
of the issue. Be prepared to defend either position in a class debate.
For privacy, this should be emailed to Hal
Varian rather than posted on the Web. Also indicate in your email which
side of the debate you would
prefer to defend in the debate. You
will be informed 48 hours before the actual debate as to which side you
will defend. We will assign you your preference if the two group's preferences
are compatible, or flip a coin if they are not.
Debate
This will be in class during the last three class sessions (see the course
calendar, where the exact dates for each group will be posted after the
topic assignments are made). The format will be 10 min for each side to
present their position, 5 min for each side to give a rebuttal to the other,
followed by questions and discussion. The order will be: affirmative side,
negative side, negative side rebuttal of affirmative side, affirmative
side rebuttal of negative side. Obviously you will want to prepare a rebuttal
to expected arguments on the affirmative side, as well as adjust your rebuttal
as you hear the affirmative side arguments.
Each debate will consume half a class period (45 minutes). The first
debate listed will start promptly at 9:30am in order to give sufficient
time for both debates. All students please show up on time to avoid disruption.
Action items following each debate:
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After each debate, all students in groups that did not participate should
fill out the peer review questionnaire available on class Web site. In
this, you will rate both group's performance in the debate (this will be
a component of those group's project grade).
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Immediately after your debate, please post both your outlines and your
powerpoint presentations (affirmative and rebuttal) in "groups and projects"
area on the class Web site for the use of the instructors in grading your
project.
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Immediately after your debate, each student needs to individually fill
out the "classroom and project participation questionnaire", which will
be available on the class webside. This questionnaire will be used to determine
the class participation component of your grade, and also the group participation
grade of the other students in your group. If you fail to fill out this
questionnaire, your own participation grades will be "F" for both class
and group participation.
Grading
Project groups will be graded based on both white papers (covering background
information) and performance in the debate (advocating one side), the latter
graded by peer review as well as by the instructors. There will be no designated
winner and loser, but rather each side will be graded by the quality of
their arguments taking account of the intrinsic strength of their side
of the issue.