The Socratic Seminar

Debate and Dialogue Dialogue is collaborative: multiple sides work toward shared understanding. Debate is oppositional: two opposing sides try to prove each other wrong. In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to find common ground. In debate, one listens to find flaws, to spot differences, and to counter arguments.

Debate and Dialogue (continued) Dialogue enlarges and possibly changes a participant’s point of view. Debate affirms a participant's point of view. Dialogue reveals assumptions for examination and re-evaluation. Debate defends assumptions as truth.

Debate and Dialogue (continued) Dialogue creates an open-minded attitude: an openness to being wrong and an openness to change. Debate creates a close-minded attitude, a determination to be right. In dialogue, one submits one's best thinking, expecting that other people's reflections will help improve it rather than threaten it. In debate, one submits one's best thinking and defends it against challenge to show that it is right.

Debate and Dialogue (continued) Dialogue calls for temporarily suspending one's beliefs. Debate calls for investing wholeheartedly in one's beliefs. In dialogue, one searches for strengths in all positions. In debate, one searches for weaknesses in the other position.

Debate and Dialogue (continued) Dialogue respects all the other participants and seeks not to alienate or offend. Debate rebuts contrary positions and may belittle or deprecate other participants. Dialogue assumes that many people have pieces of answers and that cooperation can lead to a greater understanding. Debate assumes a single right answer that somebody already has.

Debate and Dialogue (continued) Dialogue remains open-ended. Debate demands a conclusion.

Socratic Seminars Ground Rules 1. Speak so that all can hear you. 2. Listen closely. 3. Speak without raising hands. 4. Refer to the text.

Socratic Seminars Ground Rules (continued) 5. Talk to each other, not just to the leader (no side conversations) 6. Ask for clarification. Don’t stay confused. 7. Invite and allow others to speak. 8. Consider all viewpoints and ideas. 9. Know that you are responsible for the quality of the seminar.

Socratic Seminar-Ground Rules Cont. 10. Address one another respectfully 11. Monitor “air time” 12. Use sensitivity to take turns and not interrupt others 13. Be courageous in presenting your own thoughts and reasoning, but be flexible and willing to change your mind in the face of new and compelling evidence

Pre-Seminar Question-Answering Before you come to a Socratic Seminar class, please… 1. Read the assigned text “The Masque of the Red Death” 2. Answer the Pre-Seminar Questions (If these Questions are not complete, you may not participate in the Socratic Seminar, and you will earn a zero.)

How am I graded? A Level Participant ♦ Participant offers enough solid analysis, without prompting, to move the conversation forward. ♦ Participant, through his/her comments, demonstrates a deep knowledge of the text. ♦ Participant has come to the seminar prepared, with notes and a marked/annotated text. ♦ Participant, through his/her comments, shows that he/she is actively listening to other participants. ♦ Participant offers clarification and /or follow-up that extends the conversation. ♦ Participant’s remarks often refer back to specific parts of the text.

How am I graded? “Inner Circle”: if Pre-Seminar Questions are answered C = just sitting attentively in circle, maybe prompted to participate B = at least one free-from-urging comment A = at least two free-from-urging comments “Outer Circle” if Pre-Seminar Questions are answered C = observing attentively & half page of notes B = observing attentively & one page of notes A = observing attentively & 1.5+ pages of notes “Hot Seat”: can earn “outer circle” extra points

“Masque” Pre-Seminar Questions 1. Does money make one a better person than others? 2. Poe is a master of creating a sense of foreboding and suspense. He uses the Prince’s arrogance to achieve this in the story. Is arrogance the downfall of man? Or is it necessary for civilization to move forward? 3. Prospero tries to avoid the plague by taking careful measures to protect himself and his 1000 friends. Is it okay to reserve resources during a tragedy for only a select group of individuals? Answer these questions in short answer format. Support your answers with real world examples. Due Tuesday 10/14 at the beginning of class.