The Game of Politics Simulations:
Classroom And Civic Education Applications
Donald. R. Jansiewicz
Carroll Community College (MD)
This paper has four different goals. First, it describes The Game of
Politics
©
simulations. Second, it notes how these simulations replicate
fundamental political patterns at the national level of American government while
placing the political process in a larger context. Third, it makes the case that the
simulations do not compromise course content and, in fact, produce analytical
gains for the student-participants. Finally, the paper emphasizes that these
simulations contribute to civic education by giving the participants an insider
perspective on American politics and providing them with the knowledge to have
an impact on political life.
1. The Game of Politics Simulations
The Game of Politics
©
macro and micro simulations have evolved for
more than a decade and are designed to transform a political science classroom
or civic education conference into a highly realistic active learning experience for
the participants. Players confront and try to resolve political problems and they
do so within a turbulent environment.
The macro simulation or full game is designed for as many as 75
participants and as few as 21 players (15 with minor modifications). The small
size version of the basic simulation accommodates 15-30 participants. The
medium size version handles 31-45 and the large-size works with 46-60. An
additional 7-15 students can participate through the Supreme Court Module.
Each participant is added in a very specific order in an effort to keep
building a larger and more complex macro simulation. As the size increases, the
Presidency grows to 7 people, the Congress expands to 51 (33 in the House, 18
in the Senate), the Supreme Court Module increases to 15 (9 Justices 6
attorneys and there are eventually two media players.
This simulation includes all branches of the national government and runs
from 3 to 12 sessions. Each classroom simulation session runs from 45-90
minutes and multiple sessions can be placed back-to-back for longer time
periods, as in the case of a one-day conference. If done as an online segment of
a course, a simulation session can last as much as a week. In the new online
approach, the simulation occurs separate from classroom activities and class
time is preserved for lecture and discussion.
The basic simulation includes the legislative and executive branches while
the Supreme Court Module adds in a formalized judicial branch. However, the
Page 1 of 14 
Convention