A seminar is a form of academic teaching, normally at a university in small groups where students are requested to actively participate during meetings. This often has to be done by presenting a paper in class and also in written form. Normally, participants must not be beginners. The idea behind seminars is to confront students with the methodology of their chosen subject and also to familiarise them with practical problems that might crop up during their research work. Often a seminar will be open to discussion, often questions can be raised and debates conducted.

Another form of academic teaching is lecturing, a form which involves larger student groups with less active participation. In some European universities a seminar can be a large lecture course, especially when conducted by a renowned thinker, regardless of the size of the audience or its participation in discussion.

Origins of the word

The word seminar is derived from the Latin word semen, meaning "seed."

See also

• seminary (for religious training)
• seminal work
• lesson (the form of teaching prevalent in schools)
• School and university in literature
• Webinar (a World Wide Web based seminar)