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Exploring Dilemmas through Structured ‘Academic Controversy’
In our academic disciplines there are always controversies. Researchers hold alternative
views and may interpret evidence differently. When new evidence impinging on any
question is discovered it has to be weighed and judged before we agree to modify our
previously held position. Helping students to become more expert in their discipline
includes enabling them to learn how such judgements are formulated and to understand
the processes involved.
Whereas conflict is capable of creating division and hostility, Johnson, Johnson and Smith
(1996)1 recommend approaching academic controversy in a structured way which makes
exploring the disagreement a constructive exercise.
Students are placed in groups of four (two pairs).
Each pair must:
1. Research and prepare a position on a given dilemma/controversial question;
2. Present and advocate their position;
3. Engage in open discussion, refuting the opposing position and rebutting attacks on
their own position;
4. Reverse perspectives (forcefully present the other pair’s position, including any
arguments they believe the ‘opposition’ has failed to incorporate);
5. Synthesise and integrate the best evidence and reasoning into an agreed joint
position.
Johnson et al argue that this structure, by forcing participants firstly to adopt one
perspective and then to argue the opposing view, enables them to learn through practice
how to weigh the merits of opposing evidence so as to make robust decisions and to delay
their decision-making until opposing positions have been considered fully.
1
D.W. Johnson, R.T. Johnson, and K.A. Smith. (1996) Academic Controversy: Enriching College
Instruction through Intellectual Conflict. ASHE / ERIC Higher Education Report. 25(3)
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Oxford Learning Institute
University of Oxford
As always, it is a good idea to lay down ground rules for this activity. The following are
suggested by Johnson et al.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Be critical of ideas, not people. Challenge and refute the ideas of the opposing pair,
but do not indicate that you personally reject them.
Remember that we are all in this together, sink or swim. Focus on coming to the best
decision possible, not on winning.
Encourage everyone to participate and to master all the relevant information.
Listen to everyone's ideas, even if you don't agree.
Restate what someone has said if it is not clear.
First bring out all ideas and facts supporting both sides, and then try to put them
together in a way that makes sense.
Try to understand both sides of the issue.
Be ready to change your mind when evidence clearly indicates that you should do so.
Examples of dilemmas
Different interpretations of a literary text
(Literature)
Opposing analysis of a historical or current event
(Politics / History)
Disagreement over the results of different experimental studies on the same topic
(Experimental Science)
Alternative approaches to dealing with problems of habitat destruction and species
extinction
(Bioscience / Environmental Science)
Questions about the meaning and significance of evidence on climate change
(Geography / Environmental Science)
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