Debates

            I argued against gun control in the CAP Debates.  This was extremely challenging for me, mainly because I support additional gun regulations, background checks, and bans on assault weapons, all of which fall under my opponent’s stance.  However, this experience helped me to learn how to argue against your beliefs.  The main way that I did this was by passionately researching the stance that I was assigned to and attempting to convince myself that I actually believed what I was saying.  Interestingly, I now feel that I wasn’t very informed on the issue before I started my research.  After learning so much about both sides of gun control, I now feel a lot more moderately.  I used to favor all gun regulations, whereas now I favor more minimal regulations and channeling money into mental health treatment as a method of attacking the problem from the roots.  I think that debating the side I oppose improved my debating skills and my thinking skills immensely.  

Gilded Age Interdisciplinary

Critical Thinking Paper