Chapter 3: Learning from the Socratic Method:

[Erin Lain]

Comment 1:

(Page 27-37) Let’s begin with this concept: NOTHING THAT HAPPENS IN
CLASS COUNTS TOWARDS YOUR GRADE. Isn’t that comforting?

Some people really thrive in class, they like the back and forth
questioning and the test of knowledge. I literally loathed it. I mean
how can you learn anything if you are constantly terrified that you’re
going to get called on and make a fool of yourself?

The authors say the Socratic Method comes from the theory that, “by
asking a series of questions, the teacher forces the student to think
through the problem and discover the answer on his or her own.”
Although I think this is true, I think there are ulterior motives to
the Socratic Method. I think professors utilize this method to, 1.
break you of any cockiness you might have, 2. get you ready to face
judges (who can be meaner and even more demanding), 3. get you used to
speaking in public, and 4. because that’s what the professors had to
go through when they were in law school.

If you keep all of these things in mind and remember: NOTHING THAT
HAPPENS IN CLASS COUNTS TOWARDS YOUR GRADE, hopefully you will be able
to face the Socratic Method or, “forced participation,” as I like to
call it, with a more Zen like attitude.

Question:

Are you a people pleaser? Do you find joy in knowing that people think
you are smart or talented? I am this type of person, and I think it
had a lot to do with why I was so uncomfortable with the Socratic
Method. Even the most prepared person leaves class thinking they did
poorly, especially at first. Think about how you won’t let these
Socratic Method experiences affect you, and how you will keep your
cool while being called on.

Comment 2:

(Page 27-28) The book spends a couple of paragraphs describing the
spectrum of the Socratic Method. Here is what I experienced at Drake
Law (keep in mind I didn’t have every professor, but I had most of
them):
1. I’ve never seen anyone kicked out of class for not being prepared.
I HAVE seen professors get very angry and berate/thrash students who
aren’t prepared. In fact one time a fellow classmate hadn’t read, and
the professor was so horrible to him that I felt like I was going to
cry. The student, however, took it all in stride.
2. I HAVE seen a professor leave when the majority of class wasn’t
prepared to talk about a case.
3. One professor locks the door, so those who are late to class can’t
get in.
4. Professors will “call you out” if they think you are doing
something on your computer, other than taking notes.
5. Almost all Drake Law School professors will use the Socratic Method
in one of the three following formats: call on students randomly, take
volunteers, or call on people in alphabetical or seat order.
6. You will have to place a name tag in front of you in most of your
first year classes, so the professors can easily call on you.
7. Almost all professors will call you Ms. or Mr., and not by your
first name.
8. If you get called on, no matter how horribly you did, someone will
come up to you after class and tell you “good job.”
9. When you get called on, every other person in the room is thinking
“thank goodness it wasn’t me.”
10. No one will remember two days after you get called on, except for
you. (My mom, who went to law school 20+ years ago still remembers
getting called on one time when she wasn’t prepared).

I don’t say these things to scare you, but more to prepare you. If you
know what’s to come you won’t be as nervous or shocked.

Comment 3:

(Page 30-32) I think the book does an excellent job of describing the
types of questions you will be asked in class. They mention the
questions in the book that come after a case. In my experience, a lot
of the professors pull directly from these questions, so it is helpful
to at least glance at them before class.

Comment 4:

(Page 30) The authors say, “Law school is a serious place; every
person in your class is bright and accomplished. As a result, many
first years feel intimidated by their classmates and give them more
credit than they are actually due. You need to remember that you are
bright and accomplished as well, and that you can hold your own with
any of your classmates.” THIS IS SO TRUE!

Comment 5:

(Page 32-33) Practice this saying, “I’m sorry, I am not prepared for
this case today, but I will be prepared for tomorrow.” Just bite the
bullet and tell them know instead of pretending you’ve read. I’ve
tried both tactics and the first works the best!

Comment 6:

(Page 33) Although they sound nice in theory, I found study groups to
NOT be helpful for me. You will be tempted to try to form/join one,
and you should, just to say you did it, but don’t expect much to come
out of it. Remember everyone learns differently, and at different
speeds. The study group I was in spent most of the time gossiping for
two days, so I gave them the old “it’s not you, it’s me” spiel, and I
left.

Comment 7:

(Page 34) Classroom Etiquette: When someone is called on, the tendency
is for everyone to turn and look at them. Try not to. You’ll
appreciate it when people don’t crane their neck to get a look at you,
when you get called on.