In the mood for a little debate as the year winds down? Thinking about setting up some small group projects or interested in sparking some lively discussion on controversial policy issues next year? A sure-fire way to generate some ideas is Debatepedia…a wiki encyclopedia that runs on pro and con.

Sponsored by the International Debate Education Association (IDEA), Debatepedia notes that its mission:

is to become “the Wikipedia of debates”. It is a place where we can all work together as editors, via the same wiki technology driving Wikipedia, to frame the arguments in public debates that we all need to think through. These are debates in our neighborhoods, cities, states and provinces, nations, and in an increasingly interconnected world. These are debates that we care deeply about because they matter to our lives, our neighbor’s lives, and the lives of our children and the societies they inherit. Some of these debates are relevant to whether people live or die in wars or in our own societies. We need to take these debates seriously, and approach them with a fiercely critical eye. We need to fully weigh every pro and con within them, fully deliberate, take rational positions, and take action with conviction in our beliefs. Don’t be complacent in your beliefs! Understand why you believe what you do and be ready to defend yourself.

A list of popular debates includes issues ranging from the death penalty and the Electoral College to kangaroo culling…plenty of fodder to liven things up after dinner.

A major issue in the news right now is the current UN-sponsored Climate Conference in Copenhagen, beginning 08 December and ending on Friday, 18 December. World leaders are gathering in Denmark in hopes of finding a unified solution to the high-profile issue of climate change. As many know, the U.S. is one of the largest contributors of carbon emissions. This point has acted as a catalyst for action in the U.S., but skepticism is also a part of the package –you can click here, to watch Senators Inhofe (R – OK) and Markey (D – MA) provide the partisan debate on climate change.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has created a unique tool allowing viewers to track pledges by country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of CO2. By clicking on the individual country, you can learn the total amount pledged by 2020 and see related comments and sources. Also, by clicking on this link, you can watch the live webcast of the conference.

Since retiring from the Supreme Court in 2006, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has waded into online education with the Our Courts website. With the tagline “21st Century Civics,” the site seeks to foster civic engagement among middle school students.

While the site is aimed at adolescents, you may find it a useful source of ideas for in-class activities and discussion. True, you’ll need to rework the material to make it more appropriate for college students, but the basic outlines of some lessons form a workable template that can be applied to an American Government course. “James Bond in a Honda,” a lesson found here, uses a real case to explore the judicial process, the rule of law, evidence, and applying the law, for example. Here’s the ad that led to the case.

In addition to gathering ideas for application in your own courses, you might enjoy reading the “Talk to the Justice” section of the site, where students are encouraged to post a comment or question that is answered by Justice O’Connor. Consider this October 19, 2009, response by Justice O’Connor to an 8th grader asking about a religion club at her public school:

Marissa, you have brought up a fascinating but complicated First Amendment question. The First Amendment protects students’ freedom of speech and their freedom to practice their religion, but the First Amendment also prevents a government-run organization like a public school from endorsing any religion. The Supreme Court said that the Constitution allows high school students to form religious clubs in school, if the school generally allows extracurricular clubs and meets other restrictions. If you would like to start a religious club at school, I suggest that you first talk to your principal. To understand just how difficult it can be to make a decision about the First Amendment and schools, try it yourself in Supreme Decision.

And then there’s this note from Nadia in Oregon:

My mom has a bumper sticker on her jeep — protected by the 1st amendment. It’s for me being an honor roll student.