Our Socratic Seminar Process
What is a Socratic Seminar?
Socratic seminars are named for their embodiment of Socrates’ belief in the power of asking questions; they prize inquiry over information, discussion over debate. Socratic Seminars acknowledge the highly social nature of learning: "The Socratic Seminar is a formal discussion, based on a text, in which the leader asks open-ended questions. Within the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly."
Israel, Elfie. “Examining Multiple Perspectives in Literature.” In Inquiry and the Literary Text: Constructing Discussions n the English Classroom. James Holden and John S. Schmit, eds. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 2002.
Israel, Elfie. “Examining Multiple Perspectives in Literature.” In Inquiry and the Literary Text: Constructing Discussions n the English Classroom. James Holden and John S. Schmit, eds. Urbana, IL: NCTE, 2002.
Seminar Decorum
Your proficient practice of the following determines your participation score for the seminar as determined by the instructor
(10 pts. out of 20 per seminar):
- The Socratic Seminar process values inquiry over certainty. Questions are prized over assertions in the Socratic Seminar.
- Listen carefully and respectfully.
- Don't raise hands to be called on by the teacher, just speak when you have an opportunity to do so.
- Take turns speaking one at a time.
- Speak up so that everyone can hear you.
- Talk to each other, not just to the teacher or the leader.
- Refer to the text during the discussion. Your goal is to understand the ideas, issues, and values, as they are reflected in the text.
- While drawing social and philosophical connections, developing creative inter-textual observations, and being stricken by profound eureka moments are definitely awards gained through seminar discussions, please refrain from unsubstantiated speculation as the primary objective of the discussion. Speculative observations should always be tied back to the concrete parts of our discussion.
- Do not stay confused; ask for clarification. Asking questions is a valid and an integral participatory role because questions are of primary value in Socratic Seminar.
- Allow the discussion to evolve naturally. While I invite you to move and shift the discussion into various directions, please refrain from forcefully changing the course of the discussion without regards to your peers and their ideas.
- Also, don't change the topic under discussion to confuse or otherwise avoid the questions under consideration.
- YOU are responsible for the seminar. HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DISCUSSION AND ITS QUALITY.