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IQ2US: Does affirmative action do more harm than good?

Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) brings Oxford-style debating to America -- one motion, one moderator, two informed and provocative panelists for the motion, and two against. John Donvan of ABC News 'Nightline' is the moderator. The debate series takes on timely hot-button issues to inform, enlighten and entertain.

This Sunday, June 22 at 7 p.m. -- Does affirmative action do more harm than good?

Motion: Affirmative action does more harm than good.

Affirmative action, when used as a factor in college admissions, is meant to foster diversity and provide equal opportunities in education for underrepresented minorities. But is it achieving its stated goals and helping the population it was created to support? Its critics point to students struggling to keep up in schools mismatched to their abilities and to the fact that the policy can be manipulated to benefit affluent and middle class students who already possess many educational advantages. Is it time to overhaul or abolish affirmative action?

Speaking for the motion: Gail Heriot, Professor of Law, USD School of Law & Member, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Richard Sander, Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law

Speaking against the motion: Randall Kennedy, Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Theodore Shaw, Professor of Law, Columbia Law School