Socratic Seminar

"The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates' theory that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with "right" answers. Therefore, he regularly engaged his pupils in dialogues by responding to their questions with questions, instead of answers.  This process encourages divergent thinking rather than convergent thinking" (Adams).

"Socratic questioning recognizes that questions, not answers, are the driving force in thinking.  Socratic seminars explore ideas, values, and issues drawn from readings or art works chosen for their richness.  They also provide a forum to expand participants' familiarity with works drawn from many cultural sources.  Leaders help participants to make sense of a text and of their own thinking by asking questions about reasoning, evidence, connections, examples, and other aspects of sound thinking. A good seminar is more devoted to making meaning than to mastering information.  Seminars strengthen participants' learning by getting them actively engaged in rigorous critical thought.  Practical activities are always followed by periods of reflection and discussion about what has been experienced.  The goal here is to allow learners to create a community of inquiry for the purpose of making meaning cooperatively" (Raider).

FAQ

•	What does Socratic mean?
Socratic comes from the name Socrates (ca. 470-399 BC) who was a classical Greek philosopher; he developed a Theory of Knowledge.
•	What is a Socratic Seminar?
A Socratic Seminar is a method to try to understand information by creating an in-class dialogue based on a specific text.  The participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas through rigorously thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information or meeting arbitrary demands for 'coverage.'

What Do I Do?

1.	Refer to the text when needed during the discussion.  A seminar is not a test of memory.  You are not "learning a subject"; your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values reflected in the text. 
2.	It's okay to "pass" when asked to contribute. 
3.	Do not participate if you are not prepared.  A seminar should not be a bull session. 
4.	Do not stay confused; ask for clarification. 
5.	Talk to the participants, not just the leader. 
6.	Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to. 
7.	Don't raise hands; take turns speaking. 
8.	Listen carefully and respectfully. 
9.	Speak up so that everyone can hear you. 
10.	Talk to each other, not just to the teacher or the leader. 
11.	Discuss the ideas rather than each other's opinions. 
12.	You are responsible for the seminar, even if you don't know it or admit it. 

How Do I Prepare?

Our big question for this seminar is Who is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?  In order to prepare for tomorrow:

1.	Decide who you think is most at fault.
2.	List character traits this person has.
3.	List actions this person took that led to the suicides.
4.	List things this person said that led to the suicides.
5.	Mark passages in the play with post-its so you can find them.  You will need to prove your character was most at fault, and the best way to do that is with quotes.
6.	Make some notes, including passages you want to discuss, questions you want to ask, and things you want to say about the topic.