Seminar: A group of advanced students studying under a professor, with each student doing original research and all exchanging results through reports and discussion; a meeting for giving and discussing information.

USD Anthropology Majors must take at least two seminars for their major. The first seminar class students ordinarily take is ANTH 290, The Nature of Sociocultural Theory. Offered once a year, this required course is an introduction to the seminar format. The focus of the class is social science theory.

Majors must also take one ANTH491 Seminar: Special Subject Fields class. The subject matter for these seminars changes each semester based on the interests of a professor or sometimes at the request of students.

Each semester we offer at least one Anth 491 Seminar, but usually several. Students may propose a seminar topic to a professor, but for these we usually insist that ten students enroll before a seminar can be offered.

Seminar format may vary from professor to professor, but most involve a series of assigned readings that are presented in class for discussion, often by a student discussion leader. Some seminars require papers that may also be presented in class, written reviews of reading materials, or some other form of written work. Grading is usually based on class participation (both quantity and quality!) in combination with the written assignments.

A GUIDE TO GOOD SEMINAR SKILLS

Preparation

• Read all materials assigned in time for class discussion.
• Take notes while you read.
• Jot down questions you have about the readings.
• Formulate and write down 3-4 questions that might be good for discussion.

Discussion Skills

Some people are nervous about speaking in front of other people. For a seminar, that can pose problems, because a seminar is about the free exchange of ideas. For it to be a success, people have to talk. You have to feel comfortable enough to forget your worries. There are several secrets to being comfortable:

• Be prepared by having done the readings and having given them some thought before class.
• Think of the seminar, including the professor, as a group of friends having a friendly chat about some interesting ideas.
• Pay attention during the presentations and discussions.
• Develop good listening skills.

Good Listening Skills

Good listening is probably the most important skill you can have in a discussion group (along with good preparation!). Try these approaches:

• Start by being familiar with the materials under consideration. If you are familiar with terms and key ideas, the discussion won't get ahead of you.
• Learn the names of seminar members as quickly as you can. That makes them seem more like friends than just classmates. If you have interest in them as people, you will find what they say more interesting too.
• If you are in a discussion, try the approach of summarizing what the person who spoke ahead of you said before you launch into your ideas. This provides continuity and also may help to clarify ideas or misunderstandings. You might start by saying something like: "Did I understand you to say....?" or "Now if I heard you right, you said...," followed by a brief summary of their statements.
• Don't address your comments to the professor if he/she is in the room. The discussion is not for the professor; it is for you and the other students. Aiming your remarks at the professor is disrespectful to your classmates and shows that you may not be listening to them. Your job is not to impress the professor, but to exchange ideas with classmates (and sometimes the prof too!).

Problems

Difficulties in a seminar are inevitable. You need to be aware that they will occur. Here are a few of them and some advice on how to handle them:

Problem: You always seem to be slow in thinking about things, and someone says what you were going to say before you can get it out. Advice: Some people use this as an excuse for not talking in class. If you do this, admit it to yourself, and work on trying to find something to say. Usually, if you are prepared, you won't have a problem with finding issues to discuss or opinions to express. If you were truly prepared, and it still is a problem, chat with the professor. They can give you advice about how to handle it.

Final Words

One of the single most important reasons for a seminar is to help people see connections between ideas. That's what really makes them exciting. But this all takes preparation, concentration, and practice.

Seminar skills are not something with which you are born. Like most other things in life they take time and practice. Work on listening especially.

Seminars are among the most productive ways to learn a subject matter because you have to teach yourself and your classmates. Rather than just absorbing information, you actually have an investment in creating and exchanging information. Besides all that, they can be downright fun!

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