Using “Fantasy” Politics to Increase Knowledge of International Politics

• In Event: Diversified Approaches to Simulation and Games in the Classroom I

Abstract

In international politics classes like international relations and especially comparative politics taught thematically, it can be challenging to develop course materials that will substantially increase student knowledge of specific countries’ political systems and experiences. Using a “Fantasy” Comparative Politics/International Relations Project where students receive data to perform simple manipulations and calculations, identify trends, and develop explanations for those trends, I demonstrate that students can gain far more knowledge about a set of countries than they might otherwise. Moreover, the agency that students have in choosing which countries to follow for the semester increases their interest in the project and allows for some customization of their education without sacrificing the overall goals of the project.

Author

• Petra Hendrickson, Northern Michigan University