1. Reflect on Roman Democracy
Now that we have read and discussed the article and watched the film clips, let’s summarize: How did Rome promote democracy for all of its citizens in the empire – both patricians and plebeians?

2. Be like Socrates…think, question, examine, make connections….
What were the positives and negatives of Roman Democracy for the upper classes? Middle classes?

3. Block Day Socratic Seminar Preparation
Use a piece of binder paper to take notes that prepare you for the seminar. -Your notes must include facts and explanation. -Your notes must address all of the questions. Use: web links, your class work packet, your HW, textbooks. Unlike the societies we are studying, this classroom is not a democracy. You are expected to be working the whole time.

4. Why Socrates is important (and annoying)
Socrates asked society to look inward, examine, question and reflect. As we already know, this annoyed people so much they wanted to kill him …so they did. However, these values of questioning and examination contributed to a more democratic society in Athens. Today you will be assigned a Socratic Seminar that you will be participating in next Tuesday. In doing a Socratic Seminar, we can better develop our own understanding of the big ideas about government and society we have discussed in class. You will all asked to be like Socrates – questioning and examining your own beliefs and those of your society.

5. Socratic Seminar: Tues/Block: 9/6 and 9/7-8
Socratic Seminar prep sheet DUE Tuesday 9/6 This seminar is preparation for your written test during the 2nd half of block on Thursday.

6. Socratic Seminar “Training”
Having a productive conversation with others is not always easy and is, in fact, a skill we can practice. The seminar skills you are being asked to show next Tuesday are:
Providing an argument based on relevant evidence
Listening to others
Cooperative Conversation: basing what you say off of what others are saying. Asking questions, being respectful, and waiting your turn.

7. Today you will be asked to “practice” your Socratic seminar skills by having a conversation in your group of four about a controversial topic. You will have the conversation in three different ways, and each way emphasizes the different skills expected of you during the seminar.

8. Discussion question: What is a sandwich?
With your group you will be creating as clear and literal a definition as you can – one that encompasses all things you know to be sandwiches, while providing criteria for excluding all those things that are obviously not sandwiches. Anything you are were going to submit as examples of a “sandwich” must be edible.

9. Conversation #1: Focus on using evidence
Go around the circle in your group and provide your definition of a sandwich, using one piece of evidence (i.e. an example of a what qualifies as a sandwich for you).

10. Debrief (whole class)
What are your definitions? Does anyone have a problem with these definitions? Exceptions to the rule? Is a hamburger a sandwich? What about a hot dog? What do you classify as bread?

11. Conversation 2 – Focus on Cooperative Conversation
Continue your conversation, but now you will be focusing on cooperating with others to build a conversation. You must begin everything you say by reflecting on what the person has said before you. This does not mean you have to agree.

12. Conversation 3: Focus on listening and participation
Continue your conversation, but now you are focusing on listening and participation. Work on eye contact, waiting your turn, and making sure everyone participates. No one may speak a second time until everyone in the group has spoken. By the end – has your group come to a consensus on sandwiches? OR do you respectfully disagree with one another?

13. What skills did I learn during this seemingly ridiculous (but actually brilliant) activity?
To practice respectful dialogue with your peers about a controversial topic. (sandwiches!)
To practice some key skills you will use when doing the Socratic Seminar or even group work in class.
Using evidence to support your arguments
4. Cooperative Conversation: Refering to what others have said previously, asking clarifying questions of others. Working on the conversation together.
5. Listening to others, really trying and understand what they are saying. Encouraging everyone to participate and creating an environment where that can happen.

14. How does this activity connect to Ancient Greece. Democracy
How does this activity connect to Ancient Greece? Democracy? The World History course?
Is there any value in a pointless debate about sandwiches? Socrates would think so. If we can not define a sandwich how can we define a good society? A good life? Justice? Truth? Freedom? It is important to have these debates in our everyday lives. When we try to define something, we understand our own lives better. We listen to others’ points of view. We gain empathy. Socrates would believe that our society becomes more democratic. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” “ The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.” - Socrates