SOCRATIC CIRCLE DISCUSSION TOPIC: Mate Selection (for males vs. females) in Austen’s 1813 world and today.
Socratic Circle Discussion: student-led discussion without the aid of the teacher; students listen closely to others’ comment, think critically for themselves, and articulate their own views. Learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly. This is not a debate. We will have two concentric circles, one inside the other, with the inner one speaking first, then we will switch. Recorders sit in the outer circle and observe the group dynamics and also jot down best points.
1. First, take a few minutes to jot down questions that you will pose to the group. More prep, better discussion.
2. Apply your new insights
3. A funny self help book: The Prospective Spouse Checklist: Evaluating Your Potential Partner by Fox and Fox http://theprospectivespousechecklist.com/
4. What are some of the assumptions this self-help book makes? What are the implications for marriage in our culture today?
5. Connect the checklist with Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. What things are the same? What are the differences?
6. Generate more questions about how mates are selected then and now.
7. Generate questions about mate selection for women vs. men.
More tips for keeping the discussion going:
· Be a good listener. Respond to the previous point before changing subjects.
· Deal with awkward silences.
· Look at each other, not the teacher.
· Keep the conversation going. Ask follow up questions.
· Refer to specific incidents and characters in Austen to help conversation. Even read a quote from your iPad to get the group talking about it.
Please stay respectful throughout the discussion. Some of the issues are sensitive, so choose your words well but lean into the discomfort, don’t avoid it.
Recorder’s name
Record who speaks and whether (in your judgment) they were responding to a previous point or initiating their own points. Jot notes about best points made.
Topic: Mate Selection then and now, in 1813 and 2012
Participants Keep track of who speaks, initiates, responds. Note best ideas.
Observation about the group dynamics of this student-led discussion:
How did this discussion differ from a teacher-facilitated discussion?
