As someone who has believed strongly in the benefits of experiential learning throughout my career, I use simulations in many of my classes. Among the high-impact practices like internships, group work, project-based learning, and undergraduate research, simulations are an effective way to take the abstract concepts in Political Science and help students make them real, tangible practices. As an undergraduate student, I got to participate in a statewide governmental simulation called Model Illinois Government(MIG). That transformative experience inspired me to take the idea of immersive learning and apply it here in Virginia. I use simulations in every class
Read more about my simulations here:
The Virginia Government Simulation. Since 2024, students from across the Commonwealth of Virginia have conducted a simulation of the Virginia General Assembly on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates. I serve as a member of the faculty executive committee for VGS.
American Government
In my American Government classes, I allow students to create a class Constitution. The idea is to give students agency in the administration of the class. While nothing can be changed in the course syllabus (assignments, grading policies, etc.), the students can be creative in developing their own ideas for how they can participate in the course's governance. The simulation is also often their first experience with collective problem-solving.
Political Communication
In the newscast and podcast assignments, students take on the roles of producers, hosts, and reporters for two different types of news programming. Students must make research, editorial, and timing decisions based on the technology and limitations of each medium.
Congress
I use Donald Jankiewicz's Game of Politics simulation in my Congress classes to allow students to understand the deeper complexities of how policy gets made. Students have to think very strategically and deeply about topics, how policy puts guardrails around the way things can happen, and how to steer ideas through a partisan environment that is intentionally designed to prevent ideas from becoming law.
Presidency
Students in this project participate in a debate between fictional candidates for President. Students build teams to research, prepare their candidate, and make the strongest cases possible during the actual debate.
Public Policy/Leadership
Social Security Simulation (from the Journal of Leadership Education)
Students simulate a Congressional committee and/or a regulatory body reviewing alternative Social Security policy changes. The entity produces a final recommendation through deliberation and compromise.
Judiciary
In the Supreme Court Justices Shoes (from PS: Political Science and Politics)
Students are sorted into different historical court eras and role-play specific Supreme Court justices throughout history with updated cases.