Der Kern dieses Seminars findet als Simulation/Planspiel statt, für das in der Vorbereitung der Kontext durch die Lektüre wissenschaftlicher Literatur erarbeitet werden muss, um dann die Rollen entwickeln und politische Strategien formulieren zu können. Im anschließenden Debriefing geht es um die Reflexion der in den Rollen gemachten Erfahrungen. die dann in den schriftlichen Reflexions-Reports vor dem Hintergrund der vorbereiteten wissenschaftlichen Literatur ausgearbeitet und reflektiert werden.
Seminarangebot des Gastwissenschaftlers
Prof. Dr. Christian KAUNERT
Chair of Policing and Security
Director, International Centre for Policing and Security University of South Wales, UK
in Kooperation mit Prof. Dr. Christoph Weller, Universität Augsburg
MA-Seminar at Augsburg University, Summer 2020: "Global Politics Crisis Simulation"
(Das Seminar findet in deutscher Sprache statt, die Vorbereitungslektüre ist englisch!)
A simulation is basically a role-playing exercise. Students are given a background dossier that provides a context for the game. Groups of students are then assigned roles to play and the members (also known as ‘gods’) of Simulation Control Team (SIMCON) – comprising staff from the Department – serve as the referee. The aim of the exercise is to provide insight into the complexities of national and international politics and a greater appreciation of the difficulties faced by decision-makers when confronted with an international crisis. The simulation is a game in diplomacy, and although teams are not prevented from making military moves, in the real world states initially seeks to secure their objectives using diplomatic means, only resorting to military force after all other options have been tried and failed. In this respect, a crisis game is not a war game.
Game Phases
• Pre-game Preparation: This includes assigning students roles and distributing the background dossier and other material (i.e. bibliography, websites, maps, etc.) so that students can prepare by researching certain areas the crisis game will cover. In particular, students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the national interests and foreign policies of the governments the crisis game is aimed at. Students should also familiarise themselves with the complex social, political and economic problems associated with resolving issues in the region, so that they can participate in the game as realistically as possible. In preparation for the crisis game each team will submit a policy paper. SIMCON will treat the paper as a private communication, and will not distribute it to other teams until the exercise is over.
• The game play will start with a crisis trigger event. The game will be monitored by SIMCON.
• Post-game Debriefing: Staff and students will have the opportunity to review the game play. By doing so, it is hoped to gain a better understanding of the dynamics involved in international crises. Team leaders will explain their team’s policies, including secret policies, and justify them to other participants and members of SIMCON.
Teams: The simulation will involve several teams representing the United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League, and various governments involved in the intricate dynamics of Middle Eastern politics. Country teams will include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, the United States and Russia. Each team is composed of students, and certain students will be assigned the role of team leader. Each team is responsible for designating the other appropriate representatives.
Aims: The main objectives of the exercise are:
• To give students a broader perspective on the decision-making processes of different countries and international organisations in a crisis situation.
• To give students the opportunity to respond to a crisis situation, often with little time for deliberation.
• To encourage students to examine the range of policy options available to governments and international organisations and to learn how to build a consensus for their position.
Registration mode
After enrolment, participants will manually be selected.
Die endgültige Aufnahme in die Veranstaltung erfolgt in der ersten Sitzung (verpflichtend) am Mittwoch, 29.4., 14 - 15:30 Uhr!
