Description
Students must use APA 7th ed. (noting my requirements) format.
Preparing for Class
The case method requires the highest level of student participation. A case is a mutual
exploration by students and instructor of a problem, and a collective effort to reach a jointly arrived at resolution. (This does not mean that a case has a single “answer,” – they will not – but that we will work together to identify the best/good solution(s), some unacceptable solutions, and to understand why we chose the course of action we did – and why our choices may be different than those made by the actors in the case.) Therefore, it is expected that in every class meeting (where a case is to be discussed), every student will participate in an informed and thoughtful way. In preparing for class discussion a student should think through and have answers for the following general questions about a case:
• Who is/are the decision maker(s) in the Case?
• What decision(s) is/are to be made?
• What are the decision maker’s objectives?
• Who are the other important stakeholders? What are their objectives?
• What are the key issues, i.e. the questions that must be addressed or issues that must be resolved in order to reach a decision on a plan of action?
• What are the causes of the problem(s), and not just the “symptoms”?
• What assumptions are the actors in the case making about the problem or situation generally? What are the assumptions you make?
• What is the environment in which the decision is to be reached, e.g. specific constraints, pressures, opportunities affecting the decision?
• What is the range of specific alternative actions available to the decision maker?
• What are the consequences, risks, costs and benefits of each of the alternatives?
• What criteria are appropriate for choosing among the alternatives?
• What action should be taken? Why?
In any event, you should give careful thought to the “facts” of the case and the questions listed above. Pay particular attention to the last bullet point- what action should be taken, what would I do and why? Every case discussion will conclude with this question. Have a position. Be ready to support it with facts, careful analysis, theory, and reasoned argument.
