Socratic Seminars

 

Students will be placed in one of three groups and will be given a specific topic for discussion in the Socratic Seminar. A Socratic Seminar is when a small group of students (in this case 11) discuss a topic with one another in a respectful manner. It is not a debate, but a dialogue.

The two cents discussion showed us that everyone’s input is worth hearing. It is this verbalization of our analyses of the text that actually helps us better understand the topics and thus leads to stronger critical thinking in our writing.

From now till the Socratic Seminar, you will want to gather quotes, evidence and examples that will better help you to understand your specific topic. Organize them in a coherent manner so that during your formal, small group discussion, you will be ready to share your own input and analysis of the text and topic. You may choose to write your final essay on the same topic as your Socratic Seminar, so think of this as a two birds- one stone situation! Good seminars occur when participants study the text closely in advance, listen actively, share their ideas and questions, and feed off of the discussion they are a part of.

 

1)      How does power play a role in Kesey’s novel One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest? Be prepared to discuss your analysis of the development of the power struggle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy throughout the novel. Discuss who ends up winning at the end of the novel. Do not merely state plot summary from the book.

 

2)      The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority or the powerful is a recurring theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Be prepared to discuss your thoughts on whether or not McMurphy gives the other patients a sense of individualism throughout the book. How is this sense of individualism transferred from McMurphy to the patients? How is this sense of individualism displayed by the patients?   Do not merely state plot summary from the book.

 

3)      Gender Analysis:  One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest has often been criticized for its treatment of gender and female characters.  Is this criticism deserved? How are women depicted in this novel? Be prepared to discuss your analysis of the role of femininity and masculinity in the novel and how Kesey uses these traits to move the plot forward.

Each group will nominate one group facilitator who will play the duo role as leader and participant in the discussion. The group facilitator will keep the discussion focused on the text, ask follow-up questions, help participants clarify their positions when arguments become confused. The facilitator must also maintain a balance among the discussion and encourage are members to participate and share.