The League of Women Voters Southcoast (LWVS) has partnered with the LWV Greenwich (Connecticut) on a Civics Workshop using a case method approach.
The case method civics project is a collaboration between the Case Method Institute and the League, working closely with Harvard Business School Professor David Moss. Currently, most students learn history as a set narrative, which is analogous to saying everyone remembers events the same.
Yet, history is a collection of historians exchanging different analyses of the same event. And rather than acquiring history as a set narrative, Professor Moss believes American students might be better served learning the many “histories” that compose the American national story using the case method, that is, a participatory discussion-based way of learning that assists high school students in gaining skills in critical thinking, communication, and group dynamics while preparing for active citizenship.
This spring, the Case Method Institute will again invite Leagues across the country to nominate high school history, government, and civics teachers to attend its free virtual professional development workshop. After completing this workshop, teachers will be equipped to lead case-method style discussions in their classrooms and community forums. This exceptional program includes:
•An afternoon of live, online training with Harvard Business School Professor David Moss on Saturday, April 3. Professor Moss will discuss his “History of American Democracy” course and illustrate the case method teaching approach.
•A full curriculum of Harvard cases free of cost from the “History of American Democracy.”
•An 8-hour asynchronous training program completed before the Zoom-based session with Professor Moss, where participants will become familiar with case method teaching.
•A certificate from the Case Method Institute detailing 32 hours of professional development, delivered upon successful completion of the course and related training and implementation.
After completing the workshop, nominated teachers are expected to pilot at least one case in their classes during this school year and help moderate at least one community case discussion that will be organized by the League of Women Voters Southcoast before June 30, 2022.
The League of Women Voters Southcoast is eager to nominate teachers from the Southcoast area. The deadline for teachers to let us know they are interested is Friday, February 26. Please respond to Kristen Eastman at 508-758-6051 or kriseastman1@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!