Deconstructing the issue

The address for the Socialsense blog
http://culturalscene.blogspot.com.au/
The Thebarton Senior College Moodle


Contact Malcolm at malcolm.mcinerney@thebartonsc.sa.edu.au


Which way to go?

To be an issue the topic needs to be contestable. That is, there must be more than one reasonable view on the topic. As a student you are expected to be objective and view it in an unbiased way as possible as you analyse the issue. The technique we use when deconstructing an issue is to try to brainstorm the reasons why we should agree or not agree with the a statement related to a issue. For example, if we are talking about citizenship in Australia, we may frame a statement such as:

"Australian Citizenship should be compulsory for all permanent residents in Australia."

Being objective
The task then is to look at the issue in detail (primary and secondary research) and then develop reasons why one would agree with the statement and the reasons one would not. To be objective you must look at what other people would say in relation to tthe issue - not just what you think. Whether you call it Pro's and Con's or For's and Against's this is an important process when deconstructing an issue. This worksheet may help you undertake this task.

Being subjective
You will see on the worksheet that after deconstructing the issue in terms of pro's and con's you have the opportunity to give your opinion on the issue. Now you can bring in your values and bias as a person, as to what you would do if faced with such an issue. Not always the way to go for a student of Society and Cultures but in this task I am asking to do such a thinking process.

Projecting forward objectively
You are also asked to project forward and suggest what you think will happen in the future in relation to the issue. This section should not be what you want to happen but what you think will happen!

In reality you have moved during this process from being objective - to being subjective - to be objective.