In-Class Activities

This game is useful for any attempt to explain institutions from an institutionalist perspective, but also helps with a class discussion of rationality. I've also found it useful when discussing the international system and hegemony.

All that is required is a deck of cards and the handout included here.

I often found that I had a hard time getting my students to understand the basics of IPE trade theories. This activity was a quick and easy way to get them thinking in terms of interests, comparative advantage, and zero vs positive sum games.

All that is required is the face and 10 cards from a few decks of cards and the handouts included here.

This one is not unique to me, many instructors have used game theory for class demonstrations before, but the team aspect of this one, as well as the repeatability of the games makes it always an effective way to get students understanding basic concepts of game theory. This one is best either after students' first introduction to simple game theory, or after the first time a simple game is used to describe a phenomena in class.

All that is required is a white board. This one is especially suited to a large class.

This simulation is similar to the Game Theory Champions game, but instead invites students to participate in bargaining under the threat of costly conflict. I have found this game to be among the more raucous in class, but the competitive environment can lead to memorable moments for students.

This game requires one deck of cards and 20 tokens in three different colors: 10 in one color, 9 in another color, and one more in another color. The tokens can be anything of similar color, from candy to poker chips.