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 CASE STUDY TIPS

MPA Capstone Seminar (PS 540)

Professor Bob Swansbrough

Spring 2006

"I hear and I forget. I see and I understand. I do and I remember." --Confucius

Case Study Benefits

• Examine real life problems and dilemmas
• Experience hands-on learning. You could be that decision-maker!
• Develop empathy for the challenges and opportunities public leaders face everyday:
  • Cross pressures from different "bosses," political groups, public constituencies and the media
  • Limits of available information (incomplete, conflicting or misleading)
  • Competing values and political choices. How do you make ethical and effective decisions?
    

Preparing for Case Studies

• You must read the case several times. Use the first reading to gain a general understanding.
• On the second and subsequent reviews, sort through the information carefully for the major facts in the case.
• Outline, summarize or sketch-out:
  l) What was the situation creating the problem or issue?
  2)Who are the major actors--their personal goals, professional objectives and policy perspectives?
  3) What other individuals and groups impact upon the decision process?
  4) Identify key decision points
  5) What constraints impact upon decisionmakers, such as limited funds, other constitutional actors, elections, board of directors?
  6) Develop strategic options & evaluate the costs (dollars, values, political) embodied in each option
  7) What conflicting values are at risk?
  8) What theories does the case study highlight?

Case Study Rule #l

Respect the views of everyone. Different perspectives offer new and intriguing ways to examine a problem. Remember the tale of how the three blind men described an elephant in different ways--the totality was different from their individual perspectives.

Small Group Discussions

• In small groups prior to case study exercises, review case and actor(s) you will represent. What are their backgrounds, values, fears and goals?
• Discuss options. Be prepared to advance and defend your ideas or policy recommendations.
• Critically assess ideas and options from different viewpoints.
• What if you had been the key actor? What would you do differently than what occurred in the case?
  

Role Playing

• Re-enact the case at critical decision points with students serving as advisors or key actors.
• Use first person--you are that elected official, manager, interest group spokesperson or voter. Try to convey the perceptions, fears and goals of that person/group.
• Prepare to articulate and defend your policy position and strategic recommendation.
• What lessons or learning points does the case study provide?

EXPERIENCE THE CHALLENGES, REWARDS AND BARBS FACED BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS!

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

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  Last updated: January 17, 2006.

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 Please e-mail comments to: Bob Swansbrough.

Mail address: Dr. Bob Swansbrough, Department of Political Science, 417 Fletcher Hall, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403. Tel: (423) 755-4635 or 755-4240.