A Campaign Project
Your job is to successfully agree or disagree with the project and to effectively promote a campaign in favor of your position using four popular methods of argument. A matter involving a major new development that will change the landscape in Merced County for generations is coming before the Board of Supervisors. A Florida company called Resorts America Travel Society, heretofore referred to as RATS, is proposing to purchase 5,000 acres of prime agricultural land in eastern Merced County (each acre is the equivalent of about one NFL football field, not including the end zones). The land under consideration has access to irrigation water and currently grows grapes and almonds, among the most valuable permanent crops in the county. The land is among the most fertile in the nation, contributing to Merced Countys $3 billion-plus agricultural economy. RATS is proposing a resort like no other that would put Merced County on the map as a travel destination. Included in its proposal are five championship golf courses, taking up more than 1,000 acres; a 200-acre water park surrounding a man-made lake; a 750-unit RV park; seven hotels plus 120 small overnight cabins within a man-made forest; and at the centerpiece, a family amusement park with the worlds longest, highest and fastest rollercoaster. RATS preliminary environmental impact report states the project, at full buildout, with generate an average of 22,500 new car trips every 24 hours, including employees who will be encouraged but not mandated to take public transit. The project is anticipated to employ 2,200 full-time workers and between 5,000 and 7,000 part-time workers, depending on the season. If approved by the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 5, 2021, the land would be immediately cleared and taken out of agricultural production. Groundbreaking for the first phase of construction is anticipated for June 1, 2022, with RATS expecting to welcome its first guests by June 1, 2025. Full buildout is anticipated sometime in 2035. Please read the scenario and determine your position. You are responsible for providing a campaign. Ask yourself do you agree or disagree with the project? To convince the public of your position and to promote that position, you will need to campaign by using four out of five of the following ideas: an infographic on social media, a sidewalk poster, a video for TV and Facebook a letter sent to everyone in the county – 500-words a speech given at a campaign rally – 500-words In lieu of a final, you are being asked to use the argumentative skills acquired this semester to put on a successful campaign. In addition to the four campaign ideas used above, please choose one of those four and write a syllogism for that idea, use Toulmin’s Methods to evaluate your argument, then ask yourself if you have effectively argued your point, and determine to your best satisfaction the success of your campaign.
