Humanities 1: The Artist and Society

Unit 4: The Afrikan Diaspora

Name:___________________________

SOCRATIC SEMINAR
The Golden Age by Junot Daz
DO NOW: Today in class you and your classmates will be running a discussion about the short story we just
finished. To prepare for this discussion, write responses to a MINIMUM of TWO of the questions below.
These responses can be quick notes or complete sentences. Try to find direct quotes from the text. Your
response are worth 5 pts.
How did Oscar change from the beginning of the story to the end?
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Why do you think Junot Diaz chose to use the n-word in the story? How does his choice of language
connect to identity?
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How does the song Forest Whitaker by Brother Ali connect to Junot Diazs story?
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How were the Diaspora themes of race, resistance, and remembrance highlighted in this short story?
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SOCRATIC SEMINAR INSTRUCTONS

OVERVIEW
Today in class we are doing a Socratic seminar in which you will run a critical discussion about The Golden
Age with your peers. Everyone will be required to participate. We will organize a fish bowl discussion in
which the first discussion group speaks with each other in the center of the room for 15 minutes while the
second group listens and takes notes. The groups will then switch.
Below will be our process.
PROCESS
1) The class will be split into our two reading circle groups. Each group has thought and written about a
different set of questions during the Do Now.
2) You will bring the responses you have written to the discussion. These responses are worth 5 pts.
3) When it is your groups turn to discuss, you should aim to make your voice heard a minimum of TWO
times. To receive full credit, you must make at least one connection to the Diaspora unit OR one
direct reference to the text. Your participation in the Socratic seminar is worth 10 pts.
4) When your group is the audience, you will be writing responses to the questions that the other group
prepared, based on their discussion. Your notes on their discussion will be worth 5 pts.
GRADING
Written response to questions: 5 pts
Participation in Socratic seminar: 10 pts.
Notes on the other groups discussion: 5 pts
TOTAL: 20 pts.
Written Response:
To receive full credit at least TWO questions have been answered on the front page
Socratic seminar evaluation:
no credit (0)- you dont speak at all during the discussion or you engage in disruptive behavior
partial credit (5 pts)- you talk once or twice but dont connect to the Diaspora unit or directly reference the text
full credit (10 pts) talk at least two times and makes at least one connection to the Diaspora unit or directly
reference the text
Notes on other discussion:
To receive full credit (5 pts) a minimum of 1-2 sentences or bullet points should be recorded for each question
covered in the discussion

**Side conversations, use of cell phones, and other disruptive behavior will result in you
losing points and being asked to leave. **

Notes on Group B Discussion

Directions: Below are the questions Group A will discuss. Write a minimum of 2 bullet points from each
question that is discussed during the seminar.

Why do you think the short story title includes the phrase Ghetto Nerd?

What was the role of men and women in the story? How are men and women treated differently?

Based on the language of the text, what audience do you think the author was trying to reach?

How were the Diaspora themes of race, resistance, and remembrance highlighted in this short story?