The Socratic The Socratic Seminar:Seminar:

Where great minds Where great minds converge.converge.

The VisionThe Vision

Socrates believed that enabling students to think for themselves was more important than filling their heads with “right answers.”

The VisionThe Vision

Participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas through rigorously thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.

What are Socratic What are Socratic Seminars?Seminars?

Highly motivating form of intellectual and scholarly discourse.

What are Socratic What are Socratic Seminars?Seminars?

Usually range from 30-50 minutes An effective

Socratic Seminar creates dialogue as opposed to debate.

Starting DialogueStarting Dialogue

Asking questions is the key! Have a dialogue

Participants learn to be less attached to their ideas and less reliant on persuasion for influencing opinions.

Dialogue is a skill of collaboration that enables groups to create collective thinking.

Starting DialogueStarting Dialogue

The most productive discourse will flow back and forth from one to the other, from inquiry to advocacy.

Discussion & DialogueDiscussion & Dialogue

Discussion in the dictionary is "a close examination of a subject with interchange of opinions, sometimes using argument, in an effort to reach an agreement.”

Discussion & DialogueDiscussion & Dialogue

Dialogue is "an interchange of ideas especially when open and frank and seeking mutual understanding." It is a collective inquiry in which we

suspend opinions, share openly, and think creatively about difficult issues.

Effective groups need to use both dialogue and discussion

Dialogue is NOT Debate!Dialogue is NOT Debate!

Debate DialogueDebate Dialogue

Is oppositional One listens to

counter arguments.

Affirms participant's points of view.

Defends assumptions as truth

Creates a close-minded attitude

Is collaborative One listens to find

common ground Enlarges points of

view Reveals

assumptions for re-evaluation

Creates an open-minded attitude

Debate DialogueDebate Dialogue

Defends thinking to show that it is right.

Calls for investing in one's beliefs.

One searches for weaknesses

Rebuts contrary positions and may belittle others

Debate assumes a single right answer

Demands a conclusion

Expects other’s reflections will improve their own thinking

Temporarily suspending one's beliefs

Searches for strengths Respects others and

seeks not to alienate Assumes that

cooperation can lead to greater understanding

Remains open-ended

Four ElementsFour Elements

An effective seminar consists of four interdependent elements:1. the text being considered2. the questions raised3. Higher-level thinking4. participants

The TextThe Text

Socratic Seminar texts are chosen for their richness in ideas, issues, and values, and their ability to stimulate extended, thoughtful dialogue.

GuidelinesGuidelines

Only those who did their Only those who did their homework may participate.homework may participate.

Only those in the discussion circle Only those in the discussion circle may talk.may talk.

Those not in the circle will observe Those not in the circle will observe and participate in the reflection.and participate in the reflection.

Socratic Seminar RulesSocratic Seminar Rules

Be courteous. No put-downs or Be courteous. No put-downs or sarcasm.sarcasm.

Allow each speaker enough time to Allow each speaker enough time to begin and finish his or her thoughts—begin and finish his or her thoughts—don’t interrupt.don’t interrupt.

Involve others in the discussion and Involve others in the discussion and ask others to elaborate on their ask others to elaborate on their responses.responses.

Build on what others say by asking ?s.Build on what others say by asking ?s.

Rules ContinuedRules Continued

Use your best active listening Use your best active listening skills: nod, make eye contact, skills: nod, make eye contact, provide feedback, and listen provide feedback, and listen carefully to others.carefully to others.

Keep an open mind and push for Keep an open mind and push for deeper interpretations.deeper interpretations.

Support your answers with Support your answers with evidence from the text!!!evidence from the text!!!

Discussion ResponsesDiscussion Responses

I agree with. . . but would like to add. . .I agree with. . . but would like to add. . . I disagree with. . . and would like to add. . .I disagree with. . . and would like to add. . . I am confused by. . .I am confused by. . . My feeling about this piece ties right back My feeling about this piece ties right back

to (such and such a line)to (such and such a line) The author has clearly stated in line 22 thatThe author has clearly stated in line 22 that Could you restate that? Or could you clarify Could you restate that? Or could you clarify

that?that?

The ParticipantsThe Participants

Share responsibility for the quality of the seminar.

Most effective when participants: study the text closely

in advance listen actively

Designing the BestDesigning the Best

At the end of a successful Socratic Seminar, participants often leave with more questions than they brought with them.

Socratic Seminar Socratic Seminar ReflectionReflection

1. What point was made during the 1. What point was made during the seminar that really stands out as seminar that really stands out as valuable to you?valuable to you?

2. What was the best part of the 2. What was the best part of the seminar?seminar?

3. What was the worst part?3. What was the worst part?