Using a modified version of SIMSOC to promote active learning in crime causation and response in an unjust society

ABSTRACT

This article assesses how an interactive simulation game, a modified version of Simulated Society (hereinafter ‘SIMSOC-modified’), was used for teaching a theoretical criminology course in a Hong Kong university. Its use was intended to enable students to experience inequalities, in terms of wealth and power. The primary focus was to observe how participating in SIMSOC-modified impacted students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward crime causation and their intentions to engage in activism and radicalism. The findings showed that SIMSOC-modified promoted students’ active learning, resulting in cognitive and attitudinal changes toward the social causes of crime and increased intention to radically support the social groups they closely identified with. Rather than solely relying on didactic lectures and tutorials, we found strong support for the use of SIMSOC-modified in teaching crime causation and responses.

KEYWORDS:

• Simulated Society
• theories
• criminology
• learning
• outcome

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a teaching development grant [Project No. 6000560] from City University of Hong Kong.

Notes on contributors

Wing Hong Chui

Wing Hong Chui is a Professor and Assistant Head in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. Prior to that, he was the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Education) of the Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong. His areas of interest include youth studies, social work, criminology and criminal justice.

Paul Vinod Khiatani

Paul Vinod Khiatani is a doctoral student (Sociology) in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. His doctoral dissertation examines the relationship between protest behaviours and the moral self in Hong Kong protests characterized by contentious political actions. His areas of interest are social and political theory, youth studies, criminology, social movements, and service-learning.

Minnie Heep Ching She

Minnie Heep Ching She formerly was a research assistant in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. As of the fall of 2018, she is a postgraduate student studying Behavioural Science (Research) in Behavioural Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University. Her areas of interest are sports psychology, moral psychology, and service-learning.

Chak Chong Wong

Chak Chong Wong is a research assistant in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. He is also a postgraduate student studying Social Work in the Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His areas of interest are in criminology and youth participation.