Reimagining the bunker: Increasing the stakes in role-playing and group decision-making simulations

Abstract

Courses: Introduction to Communication Theory, Small Group Communication, Organizational Communication, or any class with a group-based component.

Objectives: This activity aims to engage students more deeply in group role-playing activities, reduce stereotyping and prejudice in a popular activity, and enhance students’ understanding of group decision-making theory.

Notes

1 Ad libs should require students to give their characters positive and negative attributes. To help students avoid pejorative stereotypes, traditionally marginalized characters should have more positive attribute prompts; typically prioritized characters should include more negative attribute prompts. For example, a scientist might have the following ad-lib: I am a [Type of Scientist]. I have been working in my field for [Time] and am widely [Positive Attribute]. I am [Negative Attribute] in a crisis, and my dark secret is that I [Negative Attribute].