seminar
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seminar
A course at a university or college in which the active participation and discussion of the students are the main focus.
Ich muss für mein Seminar über Goethe noch ein Referat vorbereiten.
I still have to prepare a presentation for my seminar on Goethe.
seminar / training course
A course or training session on a specific topic, often for professional development.
Die Firma bietet ein Seminar zum Thema Projektmanagement an.
The company offers a seminar on project management.
seminary
An educational institution for the training of priests or teachers.
Er besuchte das Priesterseminar, um Theologie zu studieren.
He attended the seminary to study theology.
Pay attention to the preposition: At a university, you 'besucht ein Seminar' (attend a seminar) or are 'im Seminar' (in the seminar). In a professional training course, you 'nimmt teil' (participate) — 'an einem Seminar teilnehmen' (to participate in a seminar).
Ich sitze gerade in einem Seminar zur deutschen Literatur.
I am currently sitting in a seminar on German literature.
In the university context, 'Seminar' is often combined with activities such as 'ein Seminar besuchen' (to attend a seminar), 'sich für ein Seminar einschreiben' (to enroll in a seminar), or 'ein Referat im Seminar halten' (to give a presentation in a seminar).
Für dieses Seminar muss man sich online einschreiben.
You have to enroll online for this seminar.
In the context of professional development, typical combinations are 'an einem Seminar teilnehmen' (to participate in a seminar), as well as 'ein Seminar anbieten' (to offer a seminar) or 'ein Seminar leiten' (to lead a seminar).
Meine Chefin hat mir angeboten, an einem Marketing-Seminar teilzunehmen.
My boss offered me the chance to take part in a marketing seminar.
This meaning is rare today and is almost only used in compound words such as 'Priesterseminar' (training institution for priests, seminary) or 'Lehrerseminar' (historical training institution for teachers).
Sein Urgroßvater war früher Direktor eines Lehrerseminars.
His great-grandfather was once the director of a teacher training seminary.
institute
An Institut is a scientific institution that organizes research or teaching on a permanent basis. A Seminar, by contrast, is usually a single class in which students participate actively and discuss the subject. Institut therefore fits the organizational unit, while Seminar fits the specific class.
Im Seminar über Geschichte diskutieren die Studierenden neue Forschungsergebnisse.
In the history seminar, the students discussed new research findings.
Das Institut für Geschichte organisiert die Lehrveranstaltungen des Fachs.
The Institute of History organizes the department's courses.
