Simulating History to Understand International Politics

Kimberly Weir and Michael Baranowski
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Kimberly Weir: Northern Kentucky University, USA, weirk@nku.edu
Michael Baranowski: Northern Kentucky University, USA, baranowskim@nku.edu

Simulation & Gaming, 2011, vol. 42, issue 4, 441-461

Abstract: To understand world politics, one must appreciate the context in which international systems develop and operate. Pedagogy studies demonstrate that the more active students are in their learning, the more they learn. As such, using computer simulations can complement and enhance classroom instruction. CIVILIZATION is a computer simulation game that allows players to build a civilization, competing against other civilizations. As players manage resources to develop their civilizations, establish diplomatic relations with other civilizations, strengthen trade relations, and engage in military and peace alliances, they become immersed in a simulated international system. This article explores the value of using CIVILIZATION as an active learning approach to teach international relations, focusing on the many ways in which students can better understand and appreciate the defining concepts, as well as the complexities, of international politics through playing a computer game.

Keywords: active learning; computer games; empire-building games; history; international politics; international relations; pedagogy; simulations; strategy games; survey courses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:simgam:v:42:y:2011:i:4:p:441-461

DOI: 10.1177/1046878108325442

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