Introduction
Remember that learning by the
case-study method depends much more on interchange among students than it does
upon solitary study. It is a participatory method of learning, and
both students and instructor bear a responsibility to the entire class to share
their insights and points of view. Careful
presentation is not in order to insure a good grade, but rather to prepare to
learn and to help others learn as well.
The following notes are merely some elementary hints on how to study
cases; you will soon develop your own style of getting at the materials.
I. Immerse
yourself in the case; get to know all
the details.
II. Analyze
the case after reading it.
A. Write
out the cast of characters.
B. Develop
a chronology of events in the case.
C. Identify
the basic issues (especially those things--acts, values, attitudes--about which
decisions need to be made).
D. Try
to see all the positions reasonable persons might take.
E. Then try to see how to raise issues with
these various positions.
III. Mull
it over--i.e., just ruminate about it casually, let things flow through your
mind, free-associate.
IV. Think
of any theoretical material which would be helpful in clarifying or resolving
the issues in the case.
V. Remember
that there is usually no one right
answer.
Participation
I. Push
your ideas, and be willing to give reasons for them.
II. Listen
to others, and evaluate their positions.
III. Keep
an open mind, be willing to change it upon new
insights or evidence.
IV. Enjoy
yourself.
Aftermath
I. Jot
down any new ideas which occur to you in the course of discussion.
II. Make
note of any information or theoretical knowledge for which you feel a need as a
result of the discussion; find out where to get it.
III. Evaluate
your own participation; what could you do to improve it next time?
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These notes were prepared by
Professor M. B Handspicker of