METHOD 2: CASE STUDIES

Give small groups of participants case studies to respond to as primary data for learning. Cases can encourage analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, and planning skills, as well as cooperation and team building. They can be used to set up effective debates (e.g., groups assigned to argue assigned positions on an issue) and comparisons (e.g., different analyses or solutions of problems in the case).

1. Real cases can be drawn from historical or current events.

2. Fictional or hypothetical cases might be developed to address particular issues or workshop topics. Fictional situations can often address locally sensitive issues without evoking responses to particular individuals, organizations, social groups, or geographic regions.

3. Fieldwork cases can be developed participant interviews in the community. See Part IV, "Method 15: Interviews," p. 68.

Examples of Method:

• The Human Rights Education Handbook: "Model 2: One-day Workshop," p. 120.

• ABC: "Maria Has Disappeared." [www.unhchr.ch/html/menu6/2/abc.htm]

• Bells of Freedom: "Wangari's Case." [erc.hrea.org/Library/Bells_of_Freedom/index.html]

• First Steps: "What Would You Do?" "Mignonette," "Irina's Story," "The Power of Action." [erc.hrea.org/Library/First_Steps/index.html]

• Here and Now: "Stories of Students Who Took Action." [humanrts.umn.edu/edumat/hreduseries/hereandnow/Default.htm]