Power, Peace, and Play: Simulating World Politics
Course Description
What does it feel like to bargain for peace, build alliances, or risk it all in a power struggle? In this fully online, synchronous course, global politics comes to life through play. Students will explore big questions (war and peace, trust and betrayal, cooperation and conflict) through live strategy games, digital role-play simulations, and creative online challenges designed for real-time participation. Each activity connects major theories of international relations to lived experience, showing how the forces that shape world politics also echo in everyday choices.
How do we decide when to cooperate? What happens when rules break down? Where do we see power at work in our own communities? By blending short readings, guided discussion, and interactive digital projects and gameplay, the course emphasizes learning by doing and reflecting together in a shared virtual classroom. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of global politics, along with tools to recognize the personal stakes of international power, peace, and cooperation in their own lives.
Academic Interest
Law and Politics, Social Sciences (e.g., history, psychology, sociology)
Application Materials
A complete application includes a transcript, two short essays, a letter of recommendation, writing sample, application fee, and a submitted parent confirmation. If you are seeking need-based financial aid, you must indicate that in your application before it is submitted. Please refer to the Application Instructions for complete details.
Instructor(s)
Kara Hooser
Cost
$4,980