The Narrative History of the Chocolate Wars: A Short and Tasty Bargaining Game

Y

12

Teaching Methods; Educational Games; Active Learning; International Relations; Conflict; Cooperation; Political Attitudes; Simulation; Teamwork; War; Weapons; Higher Education; Military Training

10.1080/15512169.2018.1446343

1551-2169

This single lesson classroom game is designed to test student knowledge of Realist and Liberal concepts through an imbalanced resource bargaining mechanic. The game is designed for approximately 20 students divided into state teams of three to four students each and uses chocolate to represent the state teams' economic capacity, military capability, and human security. Each state team had competing goals, over which they must cooperate or conflict for additional pieces. This game also uses an abstract design to maximize active learning through a short course of play while also making the game useful for testing concepts at any point in an International Relations course. In addition to offering a complete yet easily modifiable game for classroom use, this article also describes the game's pedagogical contribution to the discipline, game design notes, and techniques for preventing students from stuffing their faces with game pieces.

As Provided

2019

EJ1209929