Socratic Seminar

Socratic Seminar Socrates (June 4, ca. 470 BC – May 7, 399 BC) (Greek Σωκράτης Sōkrátēs; invariably anglicized as IPA: /'sɒkɹətiːz/ Sǒcratēs) was a Greek (Athenian) philosopher.

There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance. • Socrates, from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers • Greek philosopher in Athens (469 BC - 399 BC)

Dialogue/Discussion is exploratory and involves the suspension of biases and prejudices. Debate is a transfer of information designed to win an argument and bring closure. There IS a difference!

Socrates • 470-399 B.C. • attention toward questions of ethics and virtue. • his way of questioning to find out answers laid a foundation for the way that science (and most of Western thought) works today • Athens marketplace (the Agora) • he held conversations with townspeople. • At the age of 70, he was convicted of atheism, treason and corruption of the young. • He was sentenced to death by a jury. • opportunity to escape from prison he chose not to. • chose to fulfill his sentence of death by drinking hemlock

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.

Shared Inquiry • Related to the Socratic Method is “Shared Inquiry.” This method suggests that all thinkers have access to parts of the right answer (if there really is one) and that we learn better by asking and contemplating questions.

Participants in a Socratic Seminar respond to one another with respect by carefully listening instead of interrupting. Students are encouraged to "paraphrase" essential elements of another's ideas before responding, either in support of or in disagreement. Members of the dialogue look each other in the "eyes" and use each other names. This simple act of socialization reinforces appropriate behaviors and promotes team building.

Guidelines For Participants in a Socratic Seminar Socrates after being sentenced to die for impiety,introducing new gods, and corrupting the young.

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 OK 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. Stick to the point currently under discussion; make notes about ideas you want to come back to. 6. Don't raise hands; take turns speaking. 7. Listen carefully. • Speak up so that all can hear you. • Talk to each other, not just to the leader or teacher. • Discuss ideas rather than each other's opinions. 11. You are responsible for the seminar, even if you don't know it or admit it.

Expectations Of Participants in a Socratic Seminar "Socrates said he was not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world."

When I am evaluating your Socratic Seminar participation, I ask the following questions about participants. Did they…. • Speak loudly and clearly? • Cite reasons and evidence for their statements? • Use the text to find support? • Listen to others respectfully? • Stick with the subject? • Talk to each other, not just to the leader? • Paraphrase accurately? • Ask for help to clear up confusion? • Support each other? • Avoid hostile exchanges? • Question others in a civil manner? • Seem prepared?

Dialogue is characterized by: • suspending judgment • examining our own work without defensiveness • exposing our reasoning and looking for limits to it • communicating our underlying assumptions • exploring viewpoints more broadly and deeply • being open to disconfirming data • approaching someone who sees a problem differently not as an adversary, but as a colleague in common pursuit of better solution.

Socratic Seminar How do I earn a grade "Wisdom begins in wonder."

Three Parts for Class Grade: • Prep work—written responses/notes on the assigned reading. Not always assigned. (40 points) • Seminar—scored as a group using the rubric which follows. (40 points) • Observation/Reflection—During and after the seminar (20 points)

Example A • Mostly thorough prep work, thoughtful responses to prompt(s), lacking clarity in some places = 35/40 • B-Level Seminar = 3.2 (B) The student observably helped contribute to making the seminar a “B”. • Observation and reflection forms complete and thoughtful = 20 • TOTAL: 87 B+

Example B: • Incomplete prep work, lack of thoughtful responses to prompt(s), little clarity in some places = 20/40 • A-Level Seminar = 3.5 (A-) – 2.0 offset points for no individual contribution to or active participation in discussion =1.5 (D) • Observation and reflection forms complete and thoughtful = 20 • TOTAL—20+25+20=65F 

Remember Charlie!!!!! C ontribute H onor A sk questions R respond/reflect L isten E ncourage Y ield

Socratic Seminar