Definition
A smaller class meeting led by a TA where students supposedly discuss lecture material but often sit in awkward silence until someone speaks. It's where 'class participation' grades are determined by the same three extroverts every week.
Example Usage
The lecture had 300 students, but we broke into discussion sections of 20 led by overwhelmed graduate students.
Origin
Format developed with the expansion of large lecture courses in the 20th century.
Fun Fact
Research shows that students learn more in discussion sections than lectures, yet universities keep lecture halls large and discussion sections underfunded.
Source: Course structure terminology
Related Terms
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See “discussion section” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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