This book is premised on the assumption that games and simulations provide welcome alternatives and supplements to traditional lectures and class discussions—especially in political science classrooms, where real-world circumstances provide ideal applications of theory and policy prescriptions. Implementing such an active learning program, however, is sometimes daunting to overburdened professors and teaching assistants. This book addresses the challenges of using games and simulations in the political science classroom, both online and in person. Each chapter offers a game or simulation that politics teachers can use to teach course concepts and explains ways to execute it effectively. In addition, the authors in this volume make a proactive case for games and simulations. Each chapter offers research to evaluate the effectiveness of the activity and pedagogical design best practices. Thus, the book not only serves as a game design resource, but also offers demonstrable support for using games and simulations in the political science classroom. Aimed at teachers at all levels, from high school through college, the book may be especially appealing to graduate students entering teaching for the first time and open to new teaching and learning approaches.
Author(s): Mark Harvey, James Fielder, Ryan Gibb
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 318
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Endorsements
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
List of illustrations
List of contributors
Preface and Acknowledgments
PART I: Pedagogical Foundations of Games and Simulations
1. Jeux Sans Frontières: How Games Push the Frontiers of Learning
2. Gaming to Lose: Learning from Failure in Classroom Games
3. “I am Che Guevara!” The Value of Roleplaying in Educational Experiences
4. An Argument for Lengthier, More Realistic, More Outcomes-Oriented Games
5. Making Game Design and Management Easy: Tips for the “Almost Convinced”
PART II: Designing and Teaching Games
6. Exploring Federalism and Interstate Relationships in the Classroom: An In-Class Race to the Bottom Teaching Simulation
7. Playing Politics: Utilizing Simulations to Expose Students to the Factors that Shape Congressional Decision Making
8. Medicare for All or the Status Quo? Simulating Lobbying, Policy Debate, and the Party Line in Congress
9. To Veto or Not To Veto: A Simulation of Presidential Decision Making
10. Pick a Justice: Simulating Judicial Selection on the US Supreme Court
11. Using Moot Court in Introduction to Law Courses
12. A Congressional Election Simulation for a Small Class
13. A Game of Difference: The Effect of Roleplaying Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Socioeconomic Class in a Political Theory Course
14. Taking a Risk: Can a Game of War Teach Students about Peace?
15. Model Diplomacy in the Classroom
PART III: Conclusion
16. Games Without Frontiers: The Final Pieces of the Puzzle
Index
