A seminar is a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone present is requested to participate. This is often accomplished through an ongoing Socratic dialogue with a seminar leader or instructor, or through a more formal presentation of research. It is essentially a place where assigned readings are discussed, questions can be raised and debates can be conducted.
8-554: The word seminar was borrowed from German (in which is it capitalized as Seminar ), and is ultimately derived from the Latin word seminarium , meaning 'seed plot' (an old-fashioned term for ' seedbed '). Its root word is semen (Latin for 'seed'). The term seminar is also used to describe a research talk, often given by a visiting researcher and primarily attended by academics, research staff, and postgraduate students. Seminars often occur in regular series, but each seminar
16-457: Is often used as a name for a generic group study or work space at a library. Some seminar rooms are more tailored to a specific topic or field, literally a space designed for a seminar course or individualized self-study to occur. Seedbed A seedbed or seedling bed is the local soil environment in which seeds are planted. Often, it comprises not only the soil but also a specially prepared cold frame , hotbed or raised bed used to grow
24-532: Is typically given by a different speaker, on a topic of that speaker's choosing. Such seminars are not usually a part of a course of study and are therefore not usually associated with any assessment or credit. In some European universities, a seminar may be a large lecture course, especially when conducted by a renowned thinker (regardless of the size of the audience or the scope of student participation in discussion). Some non-English speaking countries in Europe use
32-423: The seedlings in a controlled environment into larger young plants before transplanting them into a garden or field . A seedling bed increases the number of seeds that germinate . The soil of a seedbed needs to be loose and smoothed, without large lumps. These traits are needed so that seeds can be planted easily, and at a specific depth for best germination. Large lumps and uneven surface would tend to make
40-464: The field under discussion at US and Canadian universities. Seminar classes are generally reserved for upper-class students, although at UK and Australian universities seminars are often used for all years. The idea behind the seminar system is to familiarize students more extensively with the methodology of their chosen subject and also to allow them to interact with examples of the practical problems that always occur during research work. "Seminar room"
48-710: The planting depth random. Many types of seedlings also need loose soil with minimal rocky content for best conditions to grow their roots. (For example, carrots grown in rocky soil will tend not to grow straight.) Seedbed preparation in farm fields often involves secondary tillage via harrows and cultivators . This may follow primary tillage (if any) by moldboard plows or chisel plows . No-till farming methods avoid tillage for seedbed preparation as well as later weed control . Seedbed preparation in gardens often involves secondary tillage via hand tools such as rakes and hoes . This may follow primary tillage (if any) by shovels , picks , or mattocks . Rotary tillers provide
56-431: The term "seminar" refers to a course of intense study relating to the student's major. Seminars typically have significantly fewer students per professor than normal courses, and are generally more specific in topic of study. Seminars can revolve around term papers, exams, presentations, and several other assignments. Seminars are almost always required for university graduation. Normally, participants must not be beginners in
64-525: The word seminar (e.g. German Seminar , Slovenian seminar , Polish seminarium ) to refer to a university class that includes a term paper or project, as opposed to a lecture class (e.g. German Vorlesung , Slovenian predavanje , Polish wykład ). This does not correspond to the English use of the term. In some academic institutions, typically in scientific fields, the term "preceptorial" is used interchangeably with "seminar". In North Indian universities ,
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