Simulations for Teaching Political Science

The Redistricting Game 

The Redistricting Game is designed to educate, engage, and empower citizens around the issue of political redistricting. Currently, the political system in most states allows the state legislators themselves to draw the lines. This system is subject to a wide range of abuses and manipulations that encourage incumbents to draw districts which protect their seats rather than risk an open contest.

By exploring how the system works, as well as how open it is to abuse, The Redistricting Game allows players to experience the realities of one of the most important (yet least understood) aspects of our political system. The game provides a basic introduction to the redistricting system, allows players to explore the ways in which abuses can undermine the system, and provides info about reform initiatives - including a playable version of the Tanner Reform bill to demonstrate the ways that the system might be made more consistent with tenets of good governance. Beyond playing the game, the web site for The Redistricting Game provides a wealth of information about redistricting in every state as well as providing hands-on opportunities for civic engagement and political action.

A Force More Powerful   

A unique collaboration of experts on nonviolent conflict working with veteran game designers has developed a simulation game that teaches the strategy of nonviolent conflict. A dozen scenarios, inspired by recent history, include conflicts against dictators, occupiers, colonizers and corrupt regimes, as well as struggles to secure the political and human rights of ethnic and racial minorities and women.  Destined for use by activists and leaders of nonviolent resistance and opposition movements, the game will also educate the media and general public on the potential of nonviolent action and serve as a simulation tool for academic studies of nonviolent resistance.

Fablusi 

Commercial service that offers a free authoring tool and resources for potential simulation authors.  Other services include pedagogical consultancy on simulation technologies and implementation.  Site includes a link to "Find a Simulation."

The Game of Politics 

The Game of Politics© American government simulations use role playing to make American politics come alive.  These national government classroom or online simulations create an active learning experience, and are appropriate for political science or government classes, continuing education courses, civic education conferences, community organizations or elder hostel.

ICONS Project (University of Maryland)

The ICONS Project is high school- and university-level experiential learning program that uses customized Web-based tools to support educational simulations and simulation-based training to put students in the role of decision-makers tasked with trying to resolve current policy issues.

 Legislative Simulation  

Legislative Simulation, or LEGSIM, features a non-scripted environment for college-level students to experience the personalized politics of legislative activities.

Model General Assembly of the Organization of American States

A simulation of the real OAS General Assembly in which the students "represent" the OAS Member States, and advocate the interests and policies of their assigned countries.

Model United Nations Headquarters     
Model United Nations  (partial list of groups affiliated with MUN)

A simulation of the United Nations General Assembly and related multilateral bodies for high school- and university-level students worldwide.

National Budget Simulation

This simulation asks you to adjust spending and tax expenditures in the the 2006 budget proposed by the White House in order to achieve either a balanced budget or any other target deficit.

Power Politics

Video game software (including online features) to simulate United States Presidential election politics.

Reacting to the Past

"Reacting to the Past," pioneered by Barnard College, consists of elaborate games, set in the past, in which students are assigned "roles" with "victory objectives" informed by classic texts in the history of ideas. Class sessions are run entirely by students; instructors advise and guide students and grade their oral and written work.  Reacting classes, which typically consist of two or three "games" a semester.