The Article
In this article, Timothy Little, senior professor in the Department of Teacher Education, describes the use of legal case studies as ways for teachers to have their students analyze and rationally discuss issues of social conflicts.

Discussion
Especially as it relates to societal tensions between group and individual rights, the use of legal case can be a powerful tool in systematically dealing with issues. Little points out that case studies have a lengthy track record in the classroom. Case studies are able to make abstract principles more real. In addition, discussing a case allows for a rational examination of what can often be contentious societal issues. Little notes that legal cases allow for the airing of competing arguments, the application of principles, and the reaching of a logical conclusion. Little also mentions that it has never been easier for teachers to gain access to legal decisions and case descriptions. In the article, Little provides a number of Internet sites that contain hundreds of cases that provide the structure and content for sophisticated lesson plans about social conflicts.

What It Means To You
Using legal cases can provide an effective way to have your students discuss and debate in a rational way, difficult societal issues; especially the inherent tension between group and individual rights. With the growth of the World Wide Web, teachers now have access to a wealth of cases ?? both old and new ?? to draw upon for lesson plans.

For More Information
Little, T.H. (1998). Looking through both ends of the telescope: Exploring tensions between group rights and individual rights in America using legal cases gleaned from the Internet. Michigan Social Studies Journal 10(1), 22?26.

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