Short Course: Simulations and Games for International Relations

shortcourse_sc23Simulations and Games for International Relations

Victor Asal, University at Albany, SUNY|
Casey Delehanty, Florida State University
Nina Kollars, Franklin & Marshall College

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

The introduction of games and simulations into the classroom is often a difficult endeavor, particularly when the instructor is trying a new activity for the first time. In this workshop, participants will play several games/simulations in order to experience game-play first hand. Each game or activity will be based on foundational concepts in the IR field such as cooperation, competition, anarchy, and institutions. Between rounds of different games and activities, participants will critically examine the methods and discuss topics such as costs and benefits, the challenge of assessment, structuring the debrief, and the capacity to modify. At the conclusion of the workshop game materials and resource handbooks will be made available for all participants.

The workshop will focus on active participation to prepare participants to use the exercises in their classrooms. All participants will receive material they can use to run these exercises. The specific agenda is listed below:

  1. Hobbes game
  2. Introductions and discussion of utility of simulations and exercises
  3. Prisoner’s Dilemma Game and the Box Game
  4. November 1941 Game
  5. Discussion, Debrief and Break
  6. Diplomacy
  7. Debrief

**All Short Courses will take place on Wednesday, August 31 at the APSA 2016 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.