The Socratic Method
Before entering law school, most law students have some exposure to the field of law via movies and/or television. Most law students have a favourite on-screen lawyer they are looking to embody. Before that can happen though one must survive law school and law school classes. As you may have noticed in hits such as Legally Blonde and/or How to Get Away with Murder, classes consist of the professor cold-calling students at random to answer questions. This would be what is known as, the “Socratic Method.”
At first, the mere idea of being cold-called in front of your peers seems daunting and honestly somewhat cruel. However, the Socratic method is actually not meant to be intimidating at all, so much as it is meant to help build your confidence and critical thinking skills.
Let’s start with the history of this wildly polarizing form of teaching. ThoughtCo states,
“The Socratic method is named after [the] Greek philosopher Socrates who taught students by asking question after question. Socrates sought to expose contradictions in the students’ thoughts and ideas to then guide them to solid, tenable conclusions. The method is still popular in legal classrooms today.”
Seems reasonable no? Remember, at least in first year, everyone is a fish out of water. NO ONE has any clue what they are talking about. The professor is not trying to embarrass you, they are trying to help you. Just make sure you do your readings and try your best to answer the question you have been asked, that is all you can do!
But how does this fit into online learning? In my experience, some professor’s still cold-called during online lectures. I think most of my colleagues found this to be less intimidating though, as being in the comfort of your own home on screen is far less overwhelming than being in a colosseum-like classroom.
Note: Canadian students, do not stress just yet, as this method is largely only practiced in the United States, with some professors opting out of it completely.
Honestly though, I quite like the concept of the Socratic method. I feel this way for a few reasons:
1. It keeps you on top of your schoolwork. There was absolutely no way I was going to be caught unprepared in a class where the professor used the Socratic method, so I was always on top of my readings for those classes! The other classes…not so much. So I kind of liked that fire under my butt to keep me on top of things.
2. It helps you gain some confidence in speaking in front of a crowd. This is a skill most lawyers will need at some point in their career. Learning how to not only comfortably speak, but comfortably argue your point in front of people is an invaluable skill to a lawyer. The Socratic method better prepares you for that. And honestly, so what if you make mistakes, school is where you SHOULD be making mistakes, you are there to learn!
3. It helps you hone your ability to think critically, FAST. Anyone can write and beef up a paper a million times before submitting it and do well. Being able to make the best possible articulation of your argument on the go on the other hand, is far more difficult. Being questioned by your professor is great practice for when you eventually will be questioned by a judge. Having some experience being put on the spot before entering a court room is definitely an asset.
Like mooting, the Socratic method is not something most people would intentionally subject themselves too, but something you will be happy to have experienced in the end. Experiences like moot and being cold-called are all a part of the journey to becoming a confident and good lawyer; exactly what law school intends to make you!
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