Socratic Seminar #1: What Makes a Hero?

The unexamined life is not worth living.--Socrates

For our first Socratic seminar, our essential question deals with the qualities that make up a hero in our readings. The seminar should cover both THE ODYSSEY and GILGAMESH. You will be graded on both the questions you generated before class and on your participation.

Here are some guidelines for preparing your questions, taken from Studyguide.org. You must prepare TWO of each type of question.

WORLD CONNECTION QUESTION: Connects the text to the real world.

Example: If you had a parent who had been missing for twenty years, would you go on a quest to find him/her?

OPEN-ENDED QUESTION: an insightful question about the text that will require proof
and group discussion and "construction of logic" to discover or explore the
answer to the question.

Example: Why did Odysseus hesitate to reveal his true identity to Penelope?

UNIVERSAL THEME/ CORE QUESTION: a question dealing with a theme(s) of the text that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.

Example: After reading GILGAMESH, can you pick out the theme of impermanence?

LITERARY ANALYSIS QUESTION: a question dealing with HOW an author
chose to compose a literary piece. How did the author manipulate point of
view, characterization, poetic form, archetypal hero patterns, for example?

Example: In GILGAMESH, what is the symbolic function of the female characters?

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 OK to "pass" when 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.

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 am evaluating your Socratic Seminar participation, I ask the following questions about participants. Did they….

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?