#  About the Case Method 

 



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## The Case Method in Religion and Interfaith Studies

"Toward Leadership, Listening, and Literacy: Making the 'Case' for Interreligious Studies," [*The Georgetown Companion to Interreligious Studies*](https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/The-Georgetown-Companion-to-Interreligious-Studies), Lucinda Mosher, ed. (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2022).    
*This chapter describes the case method, explains its relationship to leadership, outlines the process of developing a case, and points to some of the limits and opportunities of the case method for the field.*

[“What is at stake?” Exploring the Problems of Pluralism through the Case Method](https://irstudies.org/index.php/jirs/article/view/299/295)  
*This article discusses the value of the case study method as a practical, hands-on tool for exploring pluralism.*

“Using the Case Method in Interfaith Studies Classrooms,” in [*Interreligious/Interfaith Studies: Defining a New Field*](https://www.beacon.org/InterreligiousInterfaith-Studies-P1392.aspx)*,* Eboo Patel et al., eds. (Boston: Beacon Press, 2018).  
*This book is a collection of essays considering the nuances and contours of the interreligious/interfaith field as an academic discipline: the pedagogy section includes a chapter on the case method in Interfaith Studies classrooms.*

[Wabash Center for Teaching & Learning in Theology and Religion. Scholarship on Teaching – Topic: The Case Study Method](https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/scholarship-topic/case-study-method/)  
*This collection of resources offers helpful guidance and ideas for utilizing the case study method in a variety of contexts.*

[From Teaching Interreligious Encounters, ed. Marc Pugliese et al.](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/teaching-interreligious-encounters-9780190677565?cc=us&lang=en&) (New York: Oxford University Press, 2017).   
1\) “Teaching Interreligious Encounters through Case Studies,” Emily Sigalow, Duke University, and Wendy Cadge, Brandeis University  
*This essay discusses the use of the case method particularly in the study of Jewish-Buddhist encounters, based on examples from the authors’ own teaching.*  
  
2\) “The Case Study Method as a Means of Teaching About Pluralism,” Brendan W. Randall and Whittney Barth, The Pluralism Project, Harvard University  
*This article explores the use of the case study method in Diana Eck’s classrooms and asks how it might foster pluralism among students.*

## Resources from the Harvard Business School (HBS)

[Christensen Center for Teaching & Learning, HBS](https://www.hbs.edu/teaching/Pages/default.aspx)  
*This website helps educators navigate the case method process with a focus on four key areas: preparing to teach, developing class flow, managing discussion, and inviting assessment and feedback.*

[Teaching by the Case Method: Sample Class](https://www.hbs.edu/teaching/case-method/Pages/sample-class.aspx)  
*This resource walks through an example of a classroom utilizing the case method.*

**Tip Sheets from the Christensen Center:**

- [Characteristics of Effective Case Teaching](https://www.hbs.edu/teaching/Documents/Characteristics-Effective-Case-Teaching.pdf)  
    *This tip sheet covers outcomes, preconditions and behaviors that make for an effective case method classroom.*
- [Elements of Effective Class Preparation](https://www.hbs.edu/teaching/Documents/Elements-of-Effective-Class-Preparation.pdf)  
    *This tip sheet discusses learning objectives, teaching opportunities and class design that can lead to an engaging learning experience.*
- [Guidelines for Effective Observation of Case Instructors](https://www.hbs.edu/teaching/Documents/Guidelines-for-Effective-Observation-of-Case-Instructors.pdf)  
    *This resource will help colleagues learn to observe one another in case method teaching as a way to offer feedback and encourage growth.*
- [In-Class Assessment of Discussion-Based Teaching](https://www.hbs.edu/teaching/Documents/In-Class-Assessment.pdf)  
    *This guide covers the structure, process and outcomes associated with meaningful class discussion.*
- [Questions for Class Discussions](https://www.hbs.edu/teaching/Documents/Questions_for_Class_Discussions_rev.pdf)  
    *This resource offers numerous ideas to assist educators in starting a “discussion pasture,” following up as discussion proceeds, transitioning to new topics and handling special challenges.*

## Resources from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

[Teaching with Cases](https://case.hks.harvard.edu/teaching-with-cases/) *This resource includes an introduction to learning by the case method, outlines common case teaching challenges, and provides guidance for using cases in teaching ethics.*

[Case Teaching Online ](https://case.hks.harvard.edu/case-teaching-online-resources/) *This timely resource features The Case Analysis Companion and tip sheets on managing online discussion, incorporating audiovisual materials, and using breakout rooms and polling.*

## Select Articles on the Case Method

Shira Telushkin, [“A Hands-on Approach to Pluralism,"](https://hds.harvard.edu/news/2016/11/18/pluralism-studies#) Harvard Divinity School, November 16, 2016,   
*This article discusses a course taught in 2016 at Harvard Divinity School by Pluralism Project founder Diana Eck using the case study method.*

David A. Garvin, [“Making the Case,”](https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2003/09/making-the-case-html) *Harvard Magazine*, February 26, 2010,   
*This article discusses the history of the case method and its use for teaching at Harvard University.*

Richard Fossey and Gary M. Crow, [“The Elements of a Good Case,”](https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ946238) *Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership* 14 (2011).   
*This essay covers the specific skills needed for case writing as well as the four essential elements of a well written case.*

John Boehrer and Marty Linsky, [“Teaching with Cases: Learning to Question,”](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/tl.37219904206) *New Directions for Teaching and Learning* 42 (1990).  
*This article considers the use of the case method in several diverse settings with particular focus on the rich discussion that can occur through this style of learning.*

Ray Heitzmann, [“Case Study Instruction in Education: Opportunity to Develop Students’ Critical Thinking, School Smarts and Decision Making.”](https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ816932%20) *Education* 128, No. 4, 2008.  
*This paper argues that the case study method should be taught to all future educators and advocates for its use in classrooms.*

Julie C. Kunselman & Kathrine A. Johnson (2004) "[Using the Case Method to Facilitate Learning](https://www.jstor.org/stable/27559188)." *College Teaching,* 52, No. 3 (2004): 87-92.  
*This is a study of the efficacy of the case method based on data from six classrooms, which shows the value of the method for student learning.*

Judith S. Kleinfeld, [“The Use of Case Studies in Preparing for Cultural Diversity.”](https://www.jstor.org/stable/1477295) *Theory into Practice*. 37, No. 2, (Spring 1998).  
*This essay explores the benefits of using case studies to help prepare teachers who are entering culturally different or diverse areas for classroom success.*

## Additional Resources from Harvard Business School Publishing (HBSP)

Educators can [learn more about cases](https://hbsp.harvard.edu/cases/) and register for access to free materials [on the HBSP site](https://hbsp.harvard.edu/home/), including cases, teaching notes, and other valuable materials. Helpful resources include:

Benson P. Shapiro, [“Introduction to Cases,”](https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/584097-PDF-ENG?itemFindingMethod=Search) Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1984.   
*This brief summary introduces students and executives to the case method and provides a generalized approach to cases.*

Benson P. Shapiro, [“Introduction to the Case Method,”](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=17156) Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1975.   
*This short write-up offers guidelines for helping students understand and participate in case method learning.*

Espen Andersen and Bill Schiano, [*Teaching with Cases: A Practical Guide*](https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/14095-PDF-ENG?elqTrackId=26d6fc851a3e4431bfeaf822518d93aa&elqaid=51&elqat=2)*,* Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2014.   
*This educational guide will help teachers learn to apply the case method in the classroom and includes advice on planning case teaching, leading discussion, and developing student evaluations afterward.*

[*Education for Judgment: The Artistry of Discussion Leadership*](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=4884), Ann Sweet, David A. Garvin, C. Roland Christensen, Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1991.  
*This collection of essays by teachers in a variety of age levels and fields focuses on the value of discussion as a teaching method.*

See “[Other Cases & Materials](/other-cases-and-materials)” for select HBSP materials related to religion in America.