Part of a training program for Congressional staff, this simulation involves 40 to 50 participants in taking mock legislation through all the major stages of consideration. The simulation is described. (RM)

Describes a college course which uses a national approach to the teaching of international politics. Students are grouped into "country teams." Each country team publishes an analysis of its nation's foreign policy. Country teams participate in other activities including press conference simulations and an inter-nation simulation. (RM)

Provides a simulation of the United States Constitutional Convention. The simulation involves students in re-creating the conflicts between the colonies, seeking compromise, and comparing the outcome of the simulation with the actual Constitution. (JDH)

Discusses the "Exercise in Hard Choices," a simulation published by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), that requires students to make decisions on some of the most significant and controversial budget options facing the U.S. Congress and president. Reports on the simulation's classroom success, stating that it…

Describes a class activity demonstrating the reality of revolution to introductory political science students. Student "plants" rebel against a teacher's "injustice," overthrow the teacher when he calls on a higher authority, and mobilize the class to sign a petition. Follow-up discussion covers elements required for revolution. (LS)

Describes a semester long simulation of Supreme Court procedures. Recommends this activity for generating an understanding of the decision making process and the impact of the Justices' personal values and attitudes upon Supreme Court decisions. Notes that the course engages students in the learning process while encouraging the acquisition of…

Methods for preparing and conducting a simulation game that teaches the practical aspects of lobbying to high school students are provided. A prerequisite to the game is that students have learned the theoretical concepts of lobbying. "Lobbying" can be played in three class sessions if materials are distributed and roles assigned before the first…

Describes the "Running for Elected Office" simulation that enables undergraduates to gain knowledge of the campaign process. Students assume the roles of candidates, staffers, or journalists undertaking a ten-week campaign. Discusses the general structure of weekly events, special events, student evaluation of the simulation, problems, and the…

Presents three television production projects for the college political science classroom: a political television "spot" project, an international press conference simulation, and an international news broadcast project. Offers a comparative evaluation of the projects and makes suggestions for improving the less successful ones. (GEA)

Describes the Contemporary World History Project (CWHP), a year-long, two-part program that integrates the study of world problems within a traditional world history curriculum. Outlines the two parts, historical background and a simulation, and the objectives fulfilled by CWHP. Notes the variety of project topics available to teachers. (DSK)

Suitable for use in a high school social studies course, this class game simulates the political interaction and general unrest in the nine-month period following the death of Tsar Nicholas II in Russia in 1917. Eight class groups take the roles of the leaders of the following political factions: the bourgeoisie, nobility, Socialist…

Guidelines for a school-wide simulated election on the state, county, or local level to be conducted by high school social studies or political science classes are provided. The objective is to prepare students for observation of and participation in a real political campaign in the community. Details for the election, establishing political…

In this lesson plan, students are assigned a member of the California Assembly to research and a political faction to represent. Students examine representative bills voted on by the California Assembly to determine if their member's voting record coincides with the views of their political faction. Ultimately, students must decide whether, and…

Provides background information on simulations and active learning. Discusses the use of simulations in political science courses. Describes a simulation exercise where students performed specific institutional role playing, simulating the workings of a single congressional issue network, based on the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act.…

Describes an undergraduate class simulation project used to engage student interest in and knowledge of both "The Federalist Papers" and anti-federalist writings. Discusses the importance of simulation in the classroom and provides information concerning implementation of this technique. Notes that the simulation provides experience in…