Internet Exercises

Activity 1: Parliamentary Procedures

Introduction:

Parliamentary procedures can appear convoluted and confusing, but such rules can be quite useful in decision making, particularly when that decision making involves large groups.

Instructions:

Go to the C-SPAN website and click on C-SPAN 2, which provides coverage of the U.S. Senate's deliberations. To view the live simulcast, click on either "watch" (video and audio) or "listen" (audio only).

1. Identify examples of how the Senate members follow parliamentary rules, such as recognizing the speaker, making a motion, seconding a motion, discussing a motion, and voting on a motion.

2. What specific motions (such as particular privileged, incidental, subsidiary, and main motions) can you identify?

3. Based on your observations, what impact do parliamentary rules have on how the group makes decisions? What seem to be the positive aspects of parliamentary rules? What seem to be the negative aspects of parliamentary rules?

4. How might you apply parliamentary rules in your future group interactions?

Activity 2: Majority Vote

Introduction:

Citizens of the United States often take the ability to vote for granted. Yet, not that long ago, only certain groups of people could vote (such as male landowners). The U.S. Library of Congress American Memory Collection on women's suffrage reminds us that the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified less than 100 years ago on August 26, 1920.

In small groups, the ability to vote gives members a voice in discussions. Although we may not always be happy with the outcome, making decisions by majority vote is one strategy groups often rely on. In this activity, you'll learn about the importance of voting in democratic decision making.

Instructions:

The U.S. Library of Congress American Memory Collection includes two collections on the women's suffrage movement in the U.S.: Votes for Women: Selections from the National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection, 1848-1921 and By Popular Demand: "Votes for Women" Suffrage Pictures, 1850-1920.

First go to the By Popular Demand: "Votes for Women" Suffrage Pictures, 1850-1920 collection.

1. Browse through a sample of the photographs and cartoons included in the collection. What strikes you most about these images?

2. How is the women's suffrage movement portrayed? Give examples of positive and negative images.

3. Why do you think some people were opposed to the women's suffrage movement?

4. What are the implications of some group members not being allowed to vote?

Next, go to the Votes for Women: Selections from the National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection, 1848-1921 collection.

1. What arguments did those involved in the women's suffrage movement make to support their right to vote?

2. What arguments were made against women's right to vote?

3. Based on the images you've viewed and words you've read, how do you think the right to vote empowers members of a group?

4. How do you think compromise, consensus, and leadership play a role in women earning the right to vote?

5. What have you learned from exploring these two collections that you can apply in decision making in future small group work?