Faculty & Research

Case Method

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Participant Centered Learning


Active Learning is an innovative participant-led learning method that is in contrast to the traditional one-way faculty-led mode of instruction and engages students with the course material through discussions, problem-solving, case studies, role plays, and other methods. This teaching method places greater responsibility on the learner but the instructor still plays a crucial role in ensuring the classroom remains active. Studies have proven that when students engage in activities it promotes increased content knowledge and higher-order thinking skills such as critical thinking and analysis as well as positive attitudes towards learning in comparison to traditional lecture-based delivery.


What is the Case Method?


The case method is the principal learning methodology that we use at NUCB. The case method is a learning methodology built on learning by doing and which aims to prepare students for strategic decision-making in companies through the practice of real situations.

The case method showcases the biggest challenges confronting businesses today and places the student in the role of the decision-maker. Before class, students are asked to read and reflect on the case and discuss their findings with other classmates to "warm-up". In class, students will discuss the issues of the case under the guidance of the instructor and suggest solutions to overcome the problems highlighted in the case.


Why teach using cases?

Unlike lectures in which students passively receive knowledge taught by their professors, at NUCB, it’s mainly the students who contribute ideas in dynamic learning classes. We firmly believe that the best way to learn to make professional business decisions is by making them in a safe, academic environment.

Case discussions bring energy to the classroom and students are able to engage in the case rather than watching or reading about how it is done by others. Cases allow students to work on complex real-world problems. This forces students to ignore irrelevant material and to focus on finding and using evidence to come up with a compelling solution. Cases often have many parts and reflect many points of view, require analyses that involve several steps, and involve a variety of intellectual tasks. Case discussions help students learn effective listening and response skills, push them to present clear and reasoned arguments, and enhance public speaking skills.


Introduction to BBA


All students are required to take the 'Introduction to BBA' course. This course aims to strengthen essential skills in mathematics, statistics, and probability to better prepare students for technical elements in business, economics, and finance courses. Furthermore, it will contribute to students’ ability to analyze information and data in case studies.



NUCB - Pioneers of the Case Method


Not many schools in Japan hold an international accreditation that serves as evidence of quality in the curriculum and learning provided by the institution. In fact, there are only four schools in Japan that hold AACSB accreditation, with NUCB being the second to gain it. Even rarer is finding a school in Japan that delivers a medium of instruction using Active Learning and the Case Method. NUCB has been a pioneer for this method and as this mode of teaching requires special training and practical experience, NUCB sends faculty to the Harvard Business School seminars on case method teaching throughout the year to understand better this method of instruction.




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