Scholarly Research Articles

scholarly research

Ideologies and Competition: Student Reflections on Their Statecraft Experience

Abstract

This article utilizes the online world politics simulation Statecraft to examine how students perceive the influence of simulations on their political ideologies as well as their expectations about behavior and outcomes within the constraints of a virtual world. The research method relies on the content analysis of one hundred and ninety-five papers collected from students enrolled in ten sections of a coauthor’s courses. The papers reveal that students may begin the simulation with different expectations. Some approach it as a game while others use it as a way to test their ideological goals and values. Students make definitive connections between their initial political ideologies (folk realism or folk idealism) and their initial strategies within the simulation as well as how their ideological positions change over time as a response to events within the simulation. In addition, they justify their actions based on their political ideology and final outcome-success or failure. Recommendations for monitoring during and debriefing after the simulation are suggested.

DATE & PUBLICATION

2020, Journal of Political Science Education

AUTHOR INFO

Joanna Kaftan is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Degree Coordinator for Anthropology, Sociology and Social Sciences at the University of Houston–Downtown. She teaches courses in political sociology, sociology of religion, social theory, statistics, and research methods. 

John Linantud is an Associate Professor and Degree Coordinator of Political Science at the University of Houston–Downtown. Linantud currently teaches Federal Government; Texas Government; Introduction to World Politics; East and Southeast Asia; Dictatorship and Democracy in the Developing World; Dictatorship and Democracy in Europe, Russia, and the United States; Politics of the Americas; and Political Science Capstone. 

Does Statecraft Improve Student Learning Outcomes? A Controlled Comparison

Abstract

This paper presents results from a comparative analysis of two sections of Introduction to International Politics, one of which used a traditional research paper as a supplemental assignment and one that used the Statecraft online simulation. Both sections were taught during the same semester and used common lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, exam reviews, and exams. The only difference was the nature of the supplemental assignment. The paper finds that the best predictor of student performance on exams is a student’s GPA prior to taking the class. At the same time, the evidence suggests that time dedicated to the online simulation in class may have led to worse performance on at least one exam. Finally, the paper finds that students did enjoy the Statecraft simulation and generally believed that it was preferable to a traditional research paper in spite of its representing additional work relative to the more traditional research paper.

DATE & PUBLICATION

2019 Journal of Political Science Education

AUTHOR INFO

Eric Cox is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University. His research includes the study of enduring rivalries, UN institutions and pedagogical methods. His first book, Why Enduring Rivalries Do—or Don’t—End examines the factors that lead rival states to the negotiating table through a comparison of rivalry relationships in the Middle East and Latin America. He has published articles on the origin of the UN Human Rights Council and the effectiveness of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism and coauthored an online Model UN simulation for Statecraft Sims.

The Statecraft Effect: Assessment, Attitudes, and Academic Honesty

ABSTRACT

This article uses a multimethod research design to compare Statecraft to non-Statecraft assignments and courses along three dimensions: student engagement, political attitudes, and academic honesty. The results indicate that Statecraft increased student engagement and academic honesty. In terms of political attitudes, students generally remained on the left side of the political spectrum, but shifted toward the right and became more hawkish by the end of a semester. Changes in attitude are more strongly associated not with playing Statecraft, but taking a political science class by the coauthor, or some other external variable. Statecraft, however, did reduce support for pacifism.

DATE & PUBLICATION

2019 Journal of Political Science Education

AUTHOR INFO

John Linantud is an Associate Professor and Degree Coordinator of Political Science at the University of Houston – Downtown. 

Joanna Kaftan is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Degree Coordinator for Anthropology, Sociology and Social Sciences at the University of Houston – Downtown.  

Pursuing Ideology with Statecraft

ABSTRACT

Utilizing a web-based simulation Statecraft, we explore the relative influence of ideology (realism and idealism) on student behavior and learning. By placing students into ideologically cohesive groups, we are able to demonstrate the effect of their ideology on the goals they pursue and identify the constraints imposed on the system by the behavior of groups as well.

DATE & PUBLICATION

2017 Journal of Political Science Education

AUTHOR INFO

Hayden Smith, PhD is an instructor in the Department of Political Science, Philosophy, and Public Affairs at Washington State University. 

Niall Michelsen, PhD is Associate Professor at Western Carolina University. 

Learning by Doing: Using an Online Simulation Game in an International Relations Course

ABSTRACT

Integrating interactive learning activities into undergraduate courses is one method for increasing student interest, engagement, and skills development. Online simulation games in particular offer students the unique applied opportunity to “learn by doing” in a virtual space to further their overall knowledge base and critical thinking skills. This article examines users’ experiences with Statecraft, an online simulation game, in an introductory International Relations course at a regional university. Positive student feedback and successful performances on assessments suggests that using this type of technology has benefits for select student learning outcomes provided the game is used in conjunction with traditional teaching and assessment strategies such as lectures, classroom discussions, quizzes, and writing assignments.

DATE & PUBLICATION

2016 Journal of Interactive Learning Research

AUTHOR INFO

Jennifer Epley, PhD is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her primary research focuses on the meaning and significance of identity in politics. She specifically analyzes the interrelationships between religion, gender, public opinion, and political behavior in Southeast Asia. Dr. Epley Sanders has a secondary research interest in effective teaching and student learning. She has an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

 

The Statecraft Simulation and Foreign Policy Attitudes Among Undergraduate Students

ABSTRACT

Professors of international relations are increasingly realizing that simulations can be a fun and effective way of teaching the complexities of the field to their students. Despite Statecraft’s popularity, however, little scholarship has attempted to assess its impact on learning objectives and students’ perceptions of the real world. This article evaluates Statecraft’s influence on foreign policy attitudes among undergraduate students. It finds that, while participation in Statecraft did not generally change students’ foreign policy preferences, it did have the effect of inducing foreign policy moderation among students who were initially very hawkish or dovish in their foreign policy orientations. The most important individual characteristics predicting foreign policy attitudes include a student’s political orientation and interest in the Statecraft simulation itself. 

DATE & PUBLICATION

2016 Journal of Political Science Education

AUTHOR INFO

Nilay Saiya, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of International Studies at the State University of New York, Brockport. His research concerns the influence of religion on global politics. His scholarship has appeared or is forthcoming in Conflict Management and Peace Science, Holy Land Studies, International Journal of Human Rights, International Journal of Business Analytics, Journal of Political Science Education, PS: Political Science and Politics, and several edited volumes. He earned his PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2013.

How Dangerous Are Virtual Worlds Really? A Research Note on the Statecraft Simulation Debate

abstract

This brief article weighs in on a pedagogical debate concerning the didactic usefulness of an online international relations computer simulation called Statecraft. In a 2014 article, Gustavo Carvalho, a teaching assistant at the University of Toronto, claimed, based on the results of a survey he administered to an international relations class that used Statecraft, that the simulation had little to offer students as a teaching tool. In a rebuttal, Statecraft creator Jonathan Keller took Carvalho to task for not employing the simulation properly, which biased his results. While Carvalho only presented results for one class, the present analysis reports on survey responses of students over six different classes which used Statecraft from 2013 to 2014. The results call into question Carvalho’s findings and suggest that the context and curriculum matter as much as the simulation itself when judging the pedagogical value of computer-mediated learning tools.

DATE & PUBLICATION

2015 Sage Journals

AUTHOR INFO

Nilay Saiya, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of International Studies at the State University of New York, Brockport. His research concerns the influence of religion on global politics. His scholarship has appeared or is forthcoming in Conflict Management and Peace Science, Holy Land Studies, International Journal of Human Rights, International Journal of Business Analytics, Journal of Political Science Education, PS: Political Science and Politics, and several edited volumes. He earned his PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 2013.

Can't Get No (Dis)Satisfaction: The Statecraft Simulation's Effect on Student Decision Making

abstract

This article explores what effect the Statecraft simulation might have on undergraduate students’ perceptions of their decision making. Decisions are often evaluated on the basis of whether their outcomes are good or bad, not whether a sound reasoning process was used to reach them. A survey was administered at multiple points in an international relations course to gauge students’ satisfaction with the decision-making processes and outcomes in their respective teams during the Statecraft simulation. Students also engaged in exercises in which their teams’ tentative plans were evaluated as if the plans had generated unfavorable outcomes after implementation. An analysis of students’ reactions to the Statecraft simulation, their performance in the simulation, and other data showed no obvious association between Statecraft and changes in student perceptions of their decision making.

DATE & PUBLICATION

2014 Journal of Political Science Education

AUTHOR INFO

Dr. Chad Raymond is Associate Professor of Political Science & International Relations and Chairperson of the Department of Cultural, Environmental, and Global Studies at Salve Regina University. His research focuses on instructional effectiveness and learners’ cognitive and emotional dispositions.

Outsourcing Learning: Is the Statecraft Simulation an Effective Pedagogical Alternative?

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the effects of using Statecraft, a commercially-available online simulation, in teaching international relations. The simulation was used in two semesters of an undergraduate international relations course as part of a flipped classroom pedagogy, in which Statecraft replaced lectures and other instructional activities that required a physical classroom. The study demonstrates that a significant portion of instruction can be outsourced to an online provider of standardized content with little to no negative change in pedagogical outcomes.

SOURCE

APSA 2014 Annual Meeting Paper

AUTHOR INFO

Chad Raymond, Salve Regina University

student papers

End of Term U.S. Gov Simulation Paper for Intro to American Politics Class

abstract

In her end of term paper, S. Mehreen Tahir describes and reviews her experience using the Statecraft U.S. Governement Simulation. As a female from Pakistan, she enjoyed the opportunity to play the role of U.S. President, a role in which she was responsible for millions of lives and had to contemplate decisions with far-reaching implications. 

She found the experience overwhelming but also the most enjoyable part of the class. She says: Applying lessons from our lectures and getting to make decisions within this simulation was a phenomenal experience.” 

 

DATE & PUBLICATION

2020 Fall Semester

STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR INFO

S. Mehreen Tahir is an undergraduate student from Pakistan. in Dr. Andy Tuholski’s Introduction to American Politics class at the University of Indiana. 

SIMULATION

CASE STUDIES

The Ultimate Active Learning Tool for Engagement & Academic Honesty​

Abstract

For Dr. John Linantud, the two biggest benefits of using Statecraft Simulations are:

  1. Engagement: Students really get into Statecraft and it’s active learning. While they’re having fun they are also experiencing political science theories in a personal way. 
  2. Academic Honesty: is unique, it’s virtually impossible to plagiarize a Statecraft paper and get away with it if you use Turnitin. Since 2013 only 2-3 students out of hundreds have tried to plagiarize a prior Statecraft paper or a classmate’s paper. Plus, their personal experience gives students a reason to be proud of their classwork, which builds their confidence.

Since Dr. Linantud has experience with both the Statecraft IR and Statecraft U.S. Government simulations, in this interview we also discuss some of the key differences between the two products. 

Plus Dr. Linantud shares student stories, surprises and some insightful ideas for other instructors learned during his eight years of Statecraft experience.

INTERVIEW DATE

Spring 2021, May 14th

INSTRUCTOR INFO

Dr. John Linantud has been teaching for over 24 years. He is currently an Associate Professor and Degree Coordinator of Political Science at the University of Houston–Downtown where he’s been an instructor since 2002. He has assigned Statecraft Simulations to his classes since 2013 and has written two scholarly research articles featuring Statecraft Simulations. 

CURRENTLY RUNNING

Creates Network Connection, Contextualizes Lessons, & Connects Decisions to Outcomes

Abstract

After four years using Statecraft IR, Dr. Benjamin Tkach says that “it’s an important piece to get students excited about international relations.” Students are digital natives, so using technology as a teaching tool helps demonstrate lessons in a unique, engaging way.

For him, the top benefits of Statecraft are:

Plus, the lessons students learn working in groups are valuable because they have life applications. Group dynamics can sometimes be a challenge, but navigating interpersonal conflict in a simulated world is a healthy way to learn important lessons students can take with them to real-world scenarios like the workplace where stakes are much higher.

INTERVIEW DATE

Spring 2021, April 22nd

INSTRUCTOR INFO

Dr. Benjamin Tkach is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Mississippi State University. His primary research focuses on privatization of security and non-state actors’ involvement in conflict. Additional research areas include US foreign policy and nuclear security.

He’s been teaching for eight years and using Statecraft for four years. During that time, he’s used it in two different situations: at a small liberal arts college and now in large classes at a Research One institution.

CURRENTLY RUNNING

A Robust, Effective Online Simulation that Increases Engagement​

Abstract

Dr. Hollinger’s classes have been designed around simulations paired with textbooks for years. Originally, he used an in-person simulation he created. When classes suddenly went online, he had to pivot quickly for the new format, and decided to use Statecraft as his new simulation solution. He’s been impressed with what a robust, effective tool it is for an online environment. Plus, it saves him time compared to running a simulation manually.

His students really get into the simulations, even staying after class to play. He sees students naturally making connections to the textbook material and even picking up other unplanned lessons. They’re always surprised to discover that cooperation is the most effective strategy. Dr. Hollinger has set up a unique game configuration strategy that rewards them for peaceful collaboration and also lets them play “risk” at the end of the game just for fun.

For Dr. Hollinger, the best thing about the simulations has been the increased student engagement. This is his third semester using Statecraft Simulations in multiple classes: “Adapting Statecraft has been effective. Now in any online course I teach I’ll use Statecraft.”

INTERVIEW DATE

Spring 2021, February 22nd

INSTRUCTOR INFO

Dr. Keith Hollinger holds a  PhD in governance and globalization, an MA in Political Science and a BS in economics with a concentration on International Economics. He’s been teaching since 2010 and is currently a Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Education for Polytechnic Social Sciences at Arizona State University. Dr. Hollinger has completed at least five full sim run-throughs of the IR and IO sims in the past year. 

CURRENTLY RUNNING

Builds Community, Creates Learning Connections & Aids in Assessments ​

Abstract

Dr. Kristin Vekasi used Statecraft International Relations for the first time this semester in her 150+ student Intro to World Politics course.

A top benefit was that the simulation helped create community in a large all-online class that could have felt impersonal. Students at least got to know six or seven other classmates in their simulation groups really well and it created laughter plus fun inside jokes for the class.

The automated component and helpful Statecraft materials also helped ease her workload. In a class that has students who are both political science majors and others who take it for general education, the broad range of backgrounds makes it difficult to assess students. In Statecraft students enter at the same level so it was much easier to assess what they had learned.

Since her class was so large she had two different simulation groups. Despite nearly-identical situations they had dramatically different results, which was very interesting and created teaching opportunities.

INTERVIEW DATE

Fall 2020, December 16th

INSTRUCTOR INFO

Kristin Vekasi, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Maine Department of Political Science, in the School of Policy and International Affairs. She has been teaching for nine years and this was her first semester using Statecraft IR in her Intro to World Politics lower division 100-level course. It’s a large 150+ student course that has political science and international affairs majors but also students from across the university who take it as a general education class. 

CURRENTLY RUNNING

Worth it: Sim Creates Emotional Connections to Course Material

Abstract

When Dr. Cigdem Sirin’s fully online asynchronous course moved from a 7 to a 16-week format, she felt the need to add something to her curriculum to create engagement and excitement. She decided to give Statecraft a try, but had some concerns. Would it work?

Fortunately, she was pleased with the results! She saw increased engagement and peer connection in the virtual world. The simulation created a way for students to apply what they were learning and make connections to course material. The dramatic situations created emotional responses that foster empathy for real-world problems countries experience. She’s confident the high engagement and emotional connection will also equate to long-term knowledge retention. Plus, Statecraft support took care of all of her technical concerns. 

At the conclusion of the sim, she is glad she gave Statecraft a chance. The benefits for she and her students outweighed the costs.

INTERVIEW DATE

Fall 2020, November 18th

INSTRUCTOR INFO

Dr. Cigdem Sirin is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director for the Center for Faculty Leadership and Development at the University of Texas at El Paso. She’s been teaching for 12 years. This was her first semester using the Statecraft International Relations (IR) Simulation. 

CURRENTLY RUNNING

Improves Engagement, Forces Critical Thinking & Creates Connection

Abstract

Instructor Nadia Jilani-Hyler found Statecraft when looking for a way to increase engagement in a summer class with long hours. The students “had an absolute blast” and she discovered how useful a simulation can be as a teaching tool. 

Using a Statecraft simulation not only achieves her goal of increasing engagement but also requires critical thinking, which is hard to teach. As she plays the role of political advisor, she sees her students struggle with the “grey area” in the simulation. Their questions and stress demonstrate that they are experiencing lesson topics in a personal way and actually learning. The students who step up and take on leadership roles can be surprising. Often it’s not the “straight-A” students who most excel in the sim; it’s the students who can navigate ambiguity and get excited about a game learning format. 

This year with the move to an all-online class format the simulation has been a huge help by creating a sense of connection for students in large 200+ student asynchronous digital classrooms.

INTERVIEW DATE:

Fall 2020, November 12th

AUTHOR INFO

Nadia Jilani-Hyler has been a political science Lecturer at Augusta University in Georgia for the past five years. She has used both the Statecraft International Relations (IR) simulation and the Statecraft U.S. Government simulation in at least five classes. She was a beta tester for the U.S. Government simulation in 2018.

Instructor Jilani-Hyler is currently running the
U.S. GOV LITE SIMULATION IN THREE CLASSES:

Videos

See how Statecraft Adds Innovation & Interest in Dr. Krolikowski's Classroom​

Abstract

During the course of the semester, students in Dr. Alanna Krolikowski’s Geopolitics & International Security class complete a seven-week simulation where they represent and act as a fictitious country in an “Earth-like” world. The fate of their country’s well-being and their literal grade is left up to the decision-making capabilities of each student.
 
This video was created by Missouri University of Science and Technology as part of their CAFE Teaching & Learning Showcase video series. They feature different classrooms and instructors who put active learning into practice.

VIDEO DATE

December 13, 2019

INSTRUCTOR INFO

Dr. Alanna Krolikowski  is an Assistant Professor of Political Science in the Department of History and Political Science at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

CURRENTLY RUNNING

statecraft in the news

Statecraft Simulations: Launching a Career in International Relations

Excerpt

In international relations courses for undergraduates, faculty at a growing number of colleges and universities are supplementing topics covered in texts, lectures, and class discussions with a cutting-edge learning tool: Statecraft Simulations.

“Students take it very seriously,” says Joseph Bock, director of the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development at Kennesaw State University, who uses Statecraft’s International Relations Simulations in an introductory course for international affairs majors. His class of 25 students breaks into six teams, with each team representing a country. They confront complex challenges, such as global warming and the need to deal with a foreign power that amasses a lot of wealth and becomes dominant. “Questions involving balance of power become real,” says Bock.

Published in the 2017 Foreign Policy Guide

Winter Interim Course Uses Game Simulation

Excerpt

“It seemed like a good way to engage the students, because I teach a lot of theory and use, and the students sometimes aren’t engaged,” DeRouen said. “Some of the subject matter can be dry.” 

Dylan Hamm, a junior majoring in political science, was the president of his team in the course last summer. “I encourage people to take it, because I don’t want to say I learned more doing that [online simulation], but you kinda do,” Hamm said. “If there were more courses like it, I would probably take those too.”

DeRouen began using Statecraft in his classes in the spring of 2013. Since then, he has used Statecraft on and off in various courses. As the instructor, DeRouen has the power to throw in “surprises,” including things like terrorists, weather events and other crises students must react to.

Written by Heather Buchanan and published on the University of Alabama news website “The Crimson White” in November 2014.

 

World of Statecraft

article content

Professor Skinner’s Intro. to Political Science class has begun a new project. The Statecraft Simulations website provides options for real world situations. The class focuses on an international relations orientated simulation which contains the aspects of trading, structure building, and even terrorism. There are seven countries in total that make up the online world: Abalon, Amaratia, Land of Vai, Latveria, Pax, Rivendell, and Wakanda. Tensions are high between groups as they prepare their countries for the future; a future that could contain war, more specifically, nuclear war. Each week there is a new turn in which groups decide on steps to further develop their countries. Some focus on building resources and some are military orientated. Learning who to trust is one of the most difficult parts of the simulation. The suspense builds as each group is unaware of others’ intentions. Wise choices must be made by the presidents who run their countries. In the world of the Statecraft simulation, the outcomes are endless. Hopefully this virtual world will not come to a bitter end.

Written by Ricque Antolin and published in the Mat-Su College University Newspaper the Mat-Su Monitor Winter 2019-2020 edition.

Online Simulations for Teaching

article content

I use Statecraft in my political science course. Participants are placed in a global political environment to battle or cooperate with one another. The simulation makes use of a wide range of political elements, from the international to the domestic, the military to the economic. Unlike the game of Risk, the game is not some unrealistic game of conquest where one country always ends up ruling the world. The goals of the players are the same as the countries today: to survive, and even thrive, via smart political and economic decisions.

Written by John A. Tures and published in The Teaching Professor online newsletter April 19, 2018.

Industry reviews

Review of Statecraft Online Simulation

Excerpt

Statecraft is a multi week, flexible online simulation that can be a useful supplement in both introductory and more advanced international relations classes learning the intricacies of the simulation requires some time commitment, but the result of the investment is an effective teaching tool. 

The flexibility of the simulation allows the professor to determine the extent to which the simulation is integrated in class. 

During the simulation, students have tremendous freedom to invest in their military, clandestine operations, education, health care, cultural sites, diplomatic corps, and international organizations. Every move impacts not only international relations but also the quality of life within the country and the approval ratings from different political factions. The game has incredibly rich options for students, and actions often must be planned out over time as the acquisitions of certain structures (e.g., hospitals) and technologies (e.g., nuclear weapons) requires several steps. The student manual includes useful guides for the students to see what is required for each item they wish to purchase or build. 

DATE & PUBLICATION

2014 Journal of Political Science Education

AUTHOR INFO

Eric Cox is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University. He served as president of the Active Learning and International Affairs Section of the International Studies Association from 2010–2011 and as a member of the Board of Directors of National Model United Nations (NMUN) from 2012–2018. He was president of the NMUN Board of Directors from 2014–2018 and is now an ex oficio member of the Board as past president. His research includes the study of enduring rivalries, UN institutions and pedagogical methods. His first book, Why Enduring Rivalries Do—or Don’t—End examines the factors that lead rival states to the negotiating table through a comparison of rivalry relationships in the Middle East and Latin America. He has published articles on the origin of the UN Human Rights Council and the effectiveness of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism and coauthored an online Model UN simulation for Statecraft Sims.

EdSurge.com Review

Excerpt

LOW Adaptivity: The content can be adjusted in relation to a learner’s knowledge

HIGH Customization: Educators and course designers can alter learning or assessment content

MEDIUM Learner Autonomy: Learners can impact or augment instruction based on their choices

LOW Socio-Emotional: Use of feedback and interventions based on a learner’s social-emotional state

HIGH Assessment: The presence of academic structures and the capacity to assess learning in relation to them

HIGH Collaboration: Ability for learners and/or educators to engage with each other in the context of learning

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