Socratic Seminar
The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates’ theory that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to provide “right” answers to questions. Students are given opportunities to examine a common piece of text. After reading the text, open-ended questions are posed.
Open ended questions are questions that allow students to think critically and examine multiple meanings in a text. There is not just one right answer to an open ended question. Questions should generate discussion and many interpretations, as long as the interpretations are seated in the text.
Create two open ended questions on the play Julius Caesar and one question which uses Six Questions of Socrates as a framework for a question either regarding virtue or virtue as it relates to characters present in Julius Caesar. Answer the questions thoughtfully and completely. I want to see evidence of your consideration of the issues you have brought up. Textual evidence always earns more points (remember to cite act, scene and line numbers). Please type this and turn it in at the beginning of the class Monday. This will be a part of your seminar grade.
Some topics you could consider:
Ø Consider aspects that make this a Shakespearean tragedy.
Ø Explore the theme of appearance vs. reality and its presence/significance throughout the play.
Ø Consider the dichotomy of public vs. private persona in the characters in the play.
Ø Consider how you personally define virtue and whether you consider Brutus virtuous. However, do not write a “yes”/”no” question.
Ø Consider blood imagery in the play and how this impacts meaning.
Ø Consider Brutus’s fatal flaw.
Ø Consider Shakespeare’s treatment of gender roles in the play.
Ø Consider the role of the mob in the play.
Ø Consider the role of the supernatural in the play.
Ø Consider how the play reflects Elizabethan beliefs.
Ø Impress me with other topics I have not mentioned here J
Use MLA format, including MLA heading, double spacing, Time New Roman 12 point font, format and citation of quotations used to support your point of view.