LLM Notes: Seminar Method of Research: Its merits and demerits

 Chapter V: Seminar Method

"Reading makes a full man; writing an exact man, and conference a ready man." - Francis Bacon

Seminar is a technique of instruction by which circumstances are created for reflection level of understanding. Students are more active in reflection level and teacher is there to assist or guide them.

In higher education teachers should use those techniques in which students can play an important and active role. Seminar method is one of them. It is a presentation and discussion among selected groups of persons for purposeful deliberation.

Generally, seminars are conducted by colleges, Universities or research institutions. Some organizations also support or assist for conduction of seminar like Indian Law Institute, University Grants Commission (U.G.C.), and National Educational Research Council.

Seminar method is used to share opinions, concerns and appreciations, to discuss a particular issue. The number of days could vary depending on the object of seminar. Seminar method is the most modern and advanced method of teaching. A seminar is an advanced group technique which is usually used in higher education. It is an instructional technique. It involves generating a situation for a group to have a guided interaction among themselves on a theme. It refers to a structured group discussion, what usually follows a formal lecture or lectures often in the form of an essay or a paper presentation on a theme. (Madhavan Thulasi 2009, p-01)

Seminar method is more useful in legal education. The object of legal education is to create a safe and positive environment in which students can fearlessly express their views. Seminar method is helpful to achieve that object.

Being a part of creative education, seminar method possesses all the objectives of creative education. Seminar method is a first step in the way of establishment of democratic country.

The main objective of legal teaching is to impart new knowledge. 

Seminar can be divided into the following types:

1. National seminar

2. International seminar

3. State Level Seminar

4. Major seminar

5. Class (mini) Seminar

National issues or problems are generally the theme of this type of seminar. Participants come from all over India. Agencies like U.G.C or NCERT provide assistance for it.

When any subject of the seminar is of global concern and speakers or participants are invited from more than one country, it is called an international seminar. Mostly international agencies or organizations like WTO, UNESCO, or National committees organize such seminars.

When the participants of the seminar are restricted to a particular state, it is called a state-level seminar, like Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh. The theme or problem of the seminar will be national or international with special reference to that state.

A major seminar is popularly known as an institutional seminar. It is conducted at an institutional level for a specific purpose. Most of the Participants are members of that institution.

It is a mini seminar. The class seminar is conducted in the class for teaching purposes. Participants are the students of that class and the teacher as well. Class seminars are felt necessary because it gives the students self-confidence, questioning skill, and experience to conduct major seminars in the future.

Seminar method has various advantages which are as follows:

1. The seminar method provides enough opportunity for meeting the varying interests and abilities of students.

2. The method provides a good opportunity for coordination.

3. It helps in the development of democratic values.

4. The approach is student-centered and develops self-confidence in students.

5. This method promotes analytical and critical thinking.

6. Students learn in a natural way by doing.

7. The method helps in imbibing useful habits like self-confidence, scientific temper, and drawing conclusions.

8. Provides an opportunity to share feelings or experiences about the theme or subject of the seminar.

9. It is intellectual teamwork and provides deep and intensive knowledge about the subject.

10. Students learn through seminar presentation, to speak and stand.

11. Students learn to respect the ideas of others and to share responsibilities.

12. Through seminar method, students crystallize their thinking and identify concepts for further study.

13. Seminar method helps in discovering leaders.

1. Seminar method is not easy to organize as it is too complex and technical.

2. It is not economic in terms of money or time.

3. Very highly qualified persons are required for the success of this method.

4. The use of this method is not adequate or practical for undergraduate students.

5. All the students do not have the capacity for the preparation or presentation of a paper.

6. All colleges and universities don't have facilities (economic/teaching) for this method.

7. Not suitable for all subjects or cases.

8. Sometimes language becomes the limitation in this method.

9. There is a possibility of groupism, favoring, or bias.

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