Teaching about Political Violence through Games and Exercises

Session Submission Type: TLC Workshop

Session Description

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the rise of white extremist groups in the US and elsewhere, teaching students about political violence is increasingly important. However, teaching about political violence can be difficult because of the sensitive and often politicized nature of the topic. Studies have found that games and exercises can make this difficult topic easier for instructors to approach and easier for students to understand by making previously abstract concepts and conflicts tangible. In this workshop, we will teach instructors how to use games and exercises related to various aspects of political violence such as identity, othering, collective action, rationality, state repression, and grievance. We will demonstrate a variety of exercises including the Red Card Game, the Peasant Game, the Running Game, the Identity Exercise, among others. These games and exercises will be useful tools for instructors to use in their classes when teaching about political violence by increasing student involvement and helping students get a clearer sense of the theories and arguments being presented.

Sub Unit

• TLC at APSA

Chair

• Charmaine N. Willis Skidmore College

Presenter

• Joseph W. Roberts Roger Williams University