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American Dream Socratic Seminar: Socratic Seminar Guide

EQ: Is the American Dream a myth or a reality?

Socratic Seminar Criteria

Socratic Seminar Guidelines:

            The goal of a Socratic Seminar is to examine and analyze a text or concept. The most important part of a Socratic Seminar is that all voices are heard in a respectful manner. This does not mean that you cannot challenge others, but that you must do so respectfully. You may challenge one another's opinions, but cannot challenge the person.

Criteria:

  • Talk to one another, not the facilitator                                                       
  • Don't interrupt, but don't raise hands either                                                          
    • (You need to watch and listen carefully)
  • Every voice needs to be heard                                                                      
  • The conversation is not dominated by two or three individuals                
  • Make sure that this is not a dispute, but a conversation                           
  • All statements must be backed by evidence                                                
  • Challenges are targeted at opinions, not people                                        
  • Listen carefully to others and "piggy back" off other's comments 

Assessment:

Each of the following criteria will be evaluated by the facilitator, each being worth four points.

No interruptions or raising hands                             ____/4 Points

All voices are heard/non-domination                       ____/4 Points

Statements are backed by evidence                           ____/4 Points

Piggy back off other comments                                 ____/4 Points

Challenges target opinions/facts (not others)          ____/4 Points

Total                                                                            ____/20 Points