Case Method

Question

On a recent visit to Cornell, a few students talked about how they crossed Darden off their list because of the case method. They just didn't think it was practical for all courses (which makes sense), but is this reason enough to disregard Darden. Initially I thought this may be a strength of Darden rather than a drawback.

I know it is a complete preference, but what do you guys think about this? If you liked everything about Darden, would the style of teaching affect you this much. I don't think I would have a problem with this, but I haven't gone a term of accounting or finance by case.

kryzak · Answer

I think it really is down to personal preference. I personally cannot see how everything can be taught by case methods and be successful. Don't get me wrong, cases are very useful and important in business learning, but some things you just have to do it with lectures and experiential learning. I like a good mix over 100% cases, but that's just me.

riverripper · Answer

I definitely prefer a balanced mix of case, lecture, and experiential learning. I had not interest in going to a school that did only case or even didnt really offer much experiential courses. Some people want all cased base but I think you really have to WANT that in order to go to a place like Darden...a lot of people go to HBS without caring its case based but simply because its HBS.

dox · Answer

For the so-called soft skills, the case method has obvious benefits. Where I think people tend to overlook its usefulness is for the hard skills (quant, finance, etc). My experience with the case method is from what I've gathered speaking to current students at HBS as well as having attended a couple of classes, one with soft skills (Government/Politics & Int'l Business) and one with hard skills (Finance). The overwhelming sentiment is that the case method, if taught properly, can be a viable alternative - and for many people a preferable route - to teach the hard skills. By associating the quantitative concepts with real-world examples, it not only provides applicability, but also creates a more interesting, and by extension, a more memorable way to learn. Personally, I can learn just as easily from a textbook as I can from lecture, so the idea of spending a large chunk of my class time in a lecture format did not appeal to me. While I can't speak for other schools, at HBS the hard skill cases are supplemented by optional textbook readings as well as other learning vehicles, such as the analytics program, in order to ensure that the foundation is established. Once everyone has that foundation, it's really quite amazing to see the breadth and depth of memorable conversation that can arise, even with seemingly dry issues like bankruptcy. Many of the students with non-traditional backgrounds indicated that they had concern initially about learning the hard skills from the case method, but that it was quickly put to rest once they discovered how much easier it was to remember concepts when they are presented in an interactive format.

Then again, maybe I've just drunk too much of the HBS kool-aid!

Then again, maybe I've just drunk too much of the HBS kool-aid!

gixxer1000 · Answer

I think it's also fair to note that schools that are 100% case method aren't actually 100% case method. For example, at a HBS class visit I asked students how they learned finance through the case method. They told me that at the beginning of the class they started off with some lectures from the book but as the class progressed it switch to all case method. So while technically every class is taught through the case method at some point there are instances where you will receive some lectures.

edit: looks like dox beat me to it.

edit: looks like dox beat me to it.

dghazer · Answer

Thanks for the explanantions. I appreciate the insight dax and I understand exactly what you are saying. When I visit Darden I will make it a point to sit in on a quant class to get a better idea of how these classes are taught.

I'll take a glass of that HBS kool-aid.

I'll take a glass of that HBS kool-aid.

kryzak · Answer

thank you dox and gixxer for the insights. That makes sense.

lepium · Answer

In my (biased) view, the case method works. Going in I had some doubts about how to learn (for eg.) accounting with cases, but, having gone through such a course I think it really does work. There are a few things to consider:

a) You do prepare extensively before class. Preparation involves not only reading the case, but actually crunching numbers by yourself, reading a book chapter or two on the issue being discussed, and discussing the issue with your learning team.

b) You walk into class confident that you "nailed" the case only to find out that there's several things you forgot to consider or got wrong by yourself. This process is really powerful in terms of learning and cannot be replicated with a more passive method such as lectures.

c) Come finals time, you don't need to cram, because you find out that, surprisingly, you already know most the stuff.

Special considerations are:

- The case method only works if people attend all classes properly prepared and remain engaged throughout the class.
- I had the chance to visit schools that used the case method occasionally, and I found out at one of them that students were showing up late for classes, browsing the web while the class was going on, and, basically, not caring that much for cases, probably considering them a "day off" rather than a core portion of the class. I don't know whether this is common or was an exception, but I do believe that cases won't work unless proper preparation and engagement are enforced.

L.

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