The Jungle

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Debate on The Role of Government in Business”

In this activity, students participate in a classroom debate to argue the role of government oversight in regulating business.

There was very little government oversight of businesses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the Progressive Era, and in response to “muckraker” journalism, multiple policies were introduced to regulate the working conditions and the standard of product quality for businesses. Over the 20th century, many policies and regulations were introduced to improve worker and consumer rights.

In this activity, you will consider the placement of Sinclair’s argument in contemporary US politics.

• Do you think there should be more government oversight or less for businesses in the US?
• Choose whether you’ll be debating for more oversight or less as a team.
• Working with your team, structure your argument so all teammates have a unified position.
• Select an order of presentation with an opening statement, arguments to support your position, possible rebuttals, and a closing statement.

After debating with the opposing side, discuss as a group the strongest and most persuasive points brought to light, and make comparisons to the points Sinclair made in The Jungle.