Simulating Diplomacy: Learning Aid or Business as Usual?

Abstract

The use of simulations has increasingly gained momentum as a way of captivating students’ attention and enhancing learning in the classroom. However, despite its increasing use as a teaching tool, only recently have scholars increasingly empirically considered how the use of simulations may impact student learning. Moreover, whereas qualitative studies argue that simulations help student learning, mixed-methods, and quantitative research have been more divided on the impact of simulations. This study, therefore, sets out to investigate how simulations contribute, or not, to student learning in an American Foreign Policy classroom. Specifically, we analyze the use of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Model Diplomacy simulations. We collect data through observation of participants, the use of pretests and post-tests, and surveys, and find support for the idea that simulations in the classroom contribute to student learning.

Keywords:

• Diplomacy
• foreign policy
• simulations
• active learning
• negotiation

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the author. The data are not publicly available due to institutional IRB restrictions about dissemination of student data.

Notes

1 This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Kennesaw State University, Study 17-504.

2 For more information about Model Diplomacy, please visit https://modeldiplomacy.cfr.org/#/.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Charity Butcher

Charity Butcher is an Associate Professor in the School of Government and International Affairs at Kennesaw State University and a teaching faculty member of School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development. Aside from SoTL, her research focuses on issues related to ethnicity, religion, international conflict, and human rights.

Edwin Njonguo

Edwin Njonguo is a PhD student in International Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University. His research interests include the International Criminal Court, transitional justice, alternative dispute resolution, conflict resolution and management, peacebuilding and (un)constitutional political power change in Africa.