Debate: Were the Vikings the Scourge of Europe?
Proposition: The Viking raids
destroyed more than they created
Remember:
you will be called upon to answer at
least one of the questions as part of the debate; you may (should) also
take
part in other parts if you have things to say that differ from what
your
teammates have said.
Debate:
Team 1:
argue for the Proposition
Team 2:
argue against the Proposition
Assigned
questions - Team 1:
1. Background
- Describe the peoples of Scandinavia before 787, including
their contacts with places outside Scandinavia.
2. Background
- What is a Viking? How does a Viking raid work?
3. Background
- Describe Scandianvian activity in Ireland and Iceland
4. Presentation
of the proposition: what is the topic? what is the basis of your argument?
5. Arguments
- select one significant
sentence from the primary sources that that favors your side, and
explain what
it means
6. Arguments
- select one significant
sentence from the primary sources that that favors your side, and
explain what
it means
7. Arguments
- select one significant
sentence from the primary sources that that favors your side, and
explain what
it means
8. Do
the summary, summarizing your team's
arguments and state why they are preferable (you can't do this ahead of
time).
Assigned
questions - Team 2:
1. Background
- Why did the Scandinavians begin taking part in Viking
raids? Give two or three theories.
2. Background - Describe Anglo-Saxon England during the Viking raids, 787-870
3. Background
- Describe
the reign and achievements of King Alfred of England.
4. Presentation
of the proposition: what is the topic? what is the basis of your argument?
5. Arguments
- select one significant
sentence from the primary sources that that favors your side, and
explain what
it means
6. Arguments
- select one significant
sentence from the primary sources that that favors your side, and
explain what
it means
7. Arguments
- select one significant
sentence from the primary sources that that favors your side, and
explain what
it means
8. Do
the summary, summarizing your team's
arguments and state why they are preferable (you can't do this ahead of
time).
Sources
and further information
Read ch. 19 in your textbook.
There is information about the Vikings all over the internet; in fact,
we will be evaluating this information in the class following the
debate. The Wikipedia article on Vikings is not as bad as some
medieval entries. I also recommend:
http://www.viking.no/e/index.html
The primary source for
Alfred is his biography by Asser, which I have scanned as a PDF file
and placed
on Oncourse under "resources", as asser.pdf.
A short, reliable
summary of
Alfred's reign can be found at:
http://www.the-orb.net/textbooks/muhlberger/alfred.html