Learn from a fellow educator about how to increase student confidence in policy discussions and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of global affairs through simulations.
As educators, at the start of a new academic year, we are all looking for new ways to energize our students and deepen their understanding of global issues. In my U.S. Foreign Policy course at Vanguard University in California, I incorporated eight CFR Education mini simulations to help students step into the shoes of policymakers and bring global politics to life!
These fun, interactive role-play activities allowed my class to grapple with real-world dilemmas facing world leaders, from economic sanctions to soft power (vis-à-vis hard power), to even banning TikTok (due to national security concerns), all while developing critical thinking, persuasive speaking, and collaborative skills.
In this blog post, I’ll share how I implemented the CFR Education mini simulations (which can be done in one 1-hour class session), what materials I used, how I organized students, how I assessed participation, and the learning outcomes I observed.