Guidelines for Socratic Seminar: Utopia
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. This
process encourages independent thinking and close analysis. This is the goal of our Socratic Seminars.
Basic Setup of the Socratic Seminar
 Before the Socratic Seminar, the instructor will provide students with an essential question that
will provide the basis for a sound discussion. Students should prepare tangential open-ended
questions that may lead to dialogue on the given subject. They need not prepare answers—a
Socratic Seminar is never “scripted.”
 On the day of the seminar, all students will sit in a circle with the instructor on the outside.
 Two students will be elected as leaders to facilitate and help monitor the group discussion.
 ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE TAKING NOTES ON THE DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE QUESTIONS.
 The Socratic Seminar will conclude at the end of the class period.
Guidelines for Participants in a Socratic Seminar
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 okay to "pass" if 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 to each other and be incredibly respectful.
8.
Speak up so that all can hear you.
9.
Talk to each other, not just to the leader or teacher.
10.
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
When I evaluate your Socratic Seminar participation, I will ask myself the following questions.
Did the student….
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?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: What factors contribute to a perfect society? To what extent is a utopian society
possible?—and why, once implemented, does it consistently seem to be at odds with basic human “grand
causes—equality, liberty, and the quality of life and work that motivated the best utopian ideas of the
past,” as Steven Weinberg put it? Why do we continually strive to make things perfect in an imperfect
world?
There are three steps to preparing for a successful Socratic Seminar:
I. Questions
Keeping in mind our essential question, please prepare 4 questions for the Socratic Seminar at DOK levels
3 or 4. Avoid speculative (“what if?”) or closed-ended questions that could be easily answered with a
yes/no or questions that can cleared up definitively and directly from the text. You do not need to
respond to these questions.
II. Research Recap
In addition to our reading of “Five and a Half Utopias,” you will be expected to conduct research on the
utopian ideal—its successes, its failures, our role in pursuing it, etc. You will do this by reading one
outside article. For this article, you will be expected to complete the following:



A brief summary
A connection to the article
Two more elements of your choice from the “Responding to the Text” handout (label them)
You will submit your questions and your research recap to turnitin.com by 11:59 PM the day before the
Socratic Seminar. Please plan ahead. I am not responsible for last-minute computer failure—have a backup! Late work will receive a zero.
III. The Seminar
On the day of the seminar, bring your copy of the article you read, your questions and your notes (which
should include the Research Recap).
There are two ways to earn points—you must speak at least twice by


Posing an intelligent, higher level question to the group
Specifically responding to a question posed by your peers
**Your responses should reference the text or your notes
Do not assume that you have earned full points simply because you have opened your mouth the requisite
number of times. I am looking for depth of response and understanding.
Research Recap & Questions – 20 points
Socratic Seminar participation – 20 points