A Study In Case Method Of Harvard University

Case method is a teaching approach that uses cases related to teaching topic asteaching material, through student-teacher interaction such as discussion andquestion-and-answer, to let the students understand the concept or theory and developtheir decision-making ability. The biggest feature of case method is that it emphasizeson student-teacher interaction and students’ active learning. Case method is not only ateaching method or teaching mode, but also a new idea and concept for teaching. Inchina, teaching is based on imparting of teachers since ancient times, and theintroduction of case method can be seen as an innovation to the traditional classroomteaching mode, so the study of case method is of great significance for teachingreform of superior education in China.This thesis focuses on case method, review the history of case method inHarvard，and analysis systematically for the implementation .Through review andanalysis, this thesis reveals the characteristics of case method, and comes to somerevelations for teaching reform in China. The whole thesis is mainly built up by 6parts: Chapter one is a prolegomenon. Chapter two reviews the history of case methodin Harvard. Chapter three is the implementation of case method in Harvard. The casemethod involves the following steps: pre-class preparation, class implementation,post-class consolidation and evaluation. Chapter four is the characteristics of casemethod, including: 1. depending on American economics and culture; 2. focusing onthe teaching cases; 3. emphasizing interaction and active learning; 4. diversity ofevaluation methods; 5. emphasizing building students’abilities. Chapter five is therevelations for teaching reform of superior education in China, including: 1. establishstudent-centered teaching philosophy; 2. reform classroom teaching methods, enhanceteacher-student interaction; 3. establish teaching and learning system, build researchuniversity.