Moreland

GSW 1120: Topic Exploration (Stasis)

Group Activity
Today you will work in groups to explore one of your 2-3 topic choices. Loosely based on an
ancient process called stasis (attributed to the Roman philosopher Cicero), this activity will have
you answering a series of questions in order to explore your topic further and unearth the
issues surrounding it, and therefore the arguments you could make about it.
You will work in groups of three, and each group member will have a turn as an author, a
speaker, and a recorder. The author will answer questions as prompted by the speaker and the
recorder will write down the conversation taking place. Each person will get about 10 minutes
as an author.
Here are the questions to be answered:

1. What is the topic?

2. What problems, issues, and concerns surround this topic? (list as many as you can)
3. What caused these problems?
4. What are the problems’ effects?
5. Who are the main constituents (who is effected)?
6. What should be done about the problems?
7. Consider your answers. If it’s not already apparent, indicate which issue from question 2
you like the best (star, circle, etc.).
You do not have to answer every question for each problem you present—you won’t have time.
Work with the issue(s) you like the best, and try to follow at least one all the way through.
 Moreland

Here’s an example of what this activity might look like:

Topic: Game of Thrones

Problems portrayal of violence accessibility pirating
women
Causes HBO, society HBO, society HBO, money, HBO, money,
(gender network politics network politics
discrimination)
Effects contributes to
negative
portrayal of
women in
media, resists
feminism
Constituents women, anyone
who cares about
women, anyone
who can be
influenced by
media
What should be HBO should
done address the
problem by
representing
men and women
equally when
they can