Power of Metaphor: Linking Ideas to Experience via Story, Symbol and Simulation

• In Event: TLC at APSA: Simulations and Games Track Panel 1: Centering Student Engagement

Abstract

Metaphors are an impactful tool for human understanding, bringing to light ideas and relationships that otherwise remain unseen. In this paper, authors discuss how faculty creativity can help unlock students' learning of key political science concepts through classroom use of specialized tools, like a Roman gladius sword, or of everyday items, like a ball of yarn, bowl of crackers, or a deck of cards. Additionally, they explore how employing popular culture references during class and playing simple games, like “Rock, Paper, Scissors", leverage simple metaphors to exemplify complex academic concepts. Relevant literature is addressed in the paper, and accompanying panel discussion should allow for some activity demonstration.      

 

Authors

• Mark David Hamilton, Inter-American Defense College

• Benjamin M. Jensen