Simple Simulations: A Guide to the Design and Use of Simulation/Games in Teaching Political Science. Instructional Resource Monograph No. 3.

Designed to improve undergraduate political science instruction, this monograph provides a guide to the design and use of simulations and games in the political science classroom. The book is divided into five chapters that stress the legitimate need and use of simulations and games. Chapter one outlines the background of simulations and games and describes the obstacles, constraints, resources, number of participants, timing, physical layout, and control necessary to make effective use of the materials. Chapter two reviews research on the effectiveness of simulations and games as a teaching method. Chapter three discusses educational objectives and goals of simulations. Emphasis is placed on such objectives as decision making, negotiation and bargaining, legislative structure and process, and systemic models. Chapter four concentrates on how to design and build your own simulation. Chapter five focuses on helpful hints for the implementation and use of simulations in the classroom. The appendices describe four sample simulations that may be useful for potential designeers. An annotated bibliography of simulation references is also included. (DE)