Case studies involve an in-depth analysis of a single situation or set of circumstances over time. Among the most popular and enduring methods for getting students involved in problem solving and teamwork, their use has spread beyond the professional fields such as medicine, law, and business in which they originated, to include the humanities.

A well-designed case requires analysis, problem solving, decision-making, and justification. The case study approach engages students because of its emphasis on active learning, its real-world application, the drama and excitement that may characterise a particular case, and its opportunities for students to identify personally with the decision makers and the problems they confront.