The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is one of only a few business schools in the world that teaches in the Socratic Method.
What is the Case Method?
In contrast to a lecture-based approach to education, Darden’s case method will challenge you to discuss and debate real business problems and possible solutions. Given a specific business challenge — what would you do, why would you do it and how would you persuade your classmates to understand your point of view?
Students read and consider each case on their own before discussing it with their learning teams. Then they bring their ideas and experiences into the classroom for a meaningful case discussion.
Working professional students in the Executive MBA and Part-Time MBA programs can then apply their findings to their work in real time.
The Case Method is perfect for deep learning. Each case is a business story with a decision to work through as a class. Through that conversation, the principles for how they should make those decisions surface.
Writing New Cases
The Darden case Writing Research Group are always working to create multi-disciplinary cases that encourage students to expand their perspectives. Some faculty research and write their own case studies while others work with the Darden case writing team to conduct interviews to create new cases. Darden’s commitment to prioritizing the academic experience is a value shared by all faculty members.
Have you ever wondered how a Darden case comes together? Gerry Yemen, senior research and executive director of the Darden Case Writing Research Group, heads a team that is dedicated to writing multi-disciplinary cases that encourage students to expand their perspectives.
