Abstract:

This double panel, consisting of a demonstration and a roundtable, offers historians an opportunity to get acquainted with—or deepen their understanding of—case-method teaching, a dynamic approach that fosters active learning and critical thinking. Originally developed more than a century ago, the case method immerses students in real-world decision-making moments, requiring them to grapple with historical complexities from multiple perspectives. Long associated with legal and business education, the method has more recently gained traction among historians, notably through the efforts of Professor David Moss. His History of American Democracy course introduced case-based teaching into historical instruction, and in 2015, he launched a high school initiative as a pilot project at Harvard Business School. This effort has since expanded into the Case Method Institute, an independent nonprofit dedicated to bringing case-method teaching to high schools and universities nationwide. Today, the Case Method Institute has partnered with over 2,500 teachers in more than 1,500 high schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These educators, in turn, have introduced case-based teaching to over 250,000 students, fostering deeper engagement with history and civic education.

One of the case method’s greatest strengths is its ability to help students engage in difficult but meaningful discussions about contentious historical topics—an increasingly vital skill in today’s polarized world. By situating students in moments of historical uncertainty and requiring them to articulate, defend, and reconsider positions, the method fosters a more nuanced understanding of the past and its implications. In this way, it not only deepens historical comprehension but also cultivates the ability to engage in reasoned civic discourse, a crucial democratic skill.

The demonstration part of this panel series (session 1) offers historians a first-hand experience with the case-method (sign up and pre-reading are required for participants). The roundtable part of the panel (session 2) brings together historians and educators who have implemented the case method in their teaching. Participants will discuss the method’s pedagogical value, its challenges, and its potential to make history education more interactive and impactful. Whether attendees are new to case-based teaching or experienced practitioners, this session will provide valuable insights into how historians can leverage the method to encourage critical engagement with history and prepare students for informed civic participation. By facilitating a discussion on best practices and the broader implications of case-method teaching, this roundtable aims to inspire historians to adopt and refine this approach in their own classrooms.