CSCI 494: Leading Class Discussion

On the following days, these students will be responsible for leading the discussion during the first hour of class; assignments are based on the conversation in class.

The discussion for each day is determined by the day’s readings and (if any) essays. The class schedule has some additional information for some days.

It will probably prove helpful for you to share some questions or specific reading suggestions with the class as a whole in advance. Be sure to do this either in a class meeting, on the wiki, or via e-mail to the entire class (including me). If you prefer, you may send an e-mail to me for me to forward to the class.

A few tips on leading a discussion:

1. Have some questions ready. It is more important that you have questions than that you have answers.
2. Aim for some questions that don’t have simple factual answers.
3. Work for balance in participation: try to make sure that everyone gets a chance to contribute and that the conversation is not dominated by a few. (You may want to trade off tracking participation with your partner.)

Note that you are being asked to lead the discussion, not to present. The things I’ll be looking for include:

• evidence that you have prepared, including thinking about what the most important ideas are;
• effort to stimulate appropriate discussion;
• effort to maintain focus on more important matters; and
• effort to draw in everyone in the class.

As part of your preparation, I would encourage you to arrange to meet with me during the week before your day.