Grade 12 Global Politics complete Flashpoint Simulation

The Grade 12 Global Politics recently class completed a three-hour simulation to deepen conceptual understanding as they prepare for IB exams. FlashPoint is a simulation game constructed as a teaching tool for the topics of conflict analysis and resolution, collaboration, negotiation, mediation, and public international law. It is set against the background of the ongoing crisis in Syria, offering students the sense of applying their analysis and skills to real-world problems.

Students were given specific roles to play that consisted of government representatives from Syria and Turkey and UN mediators. Teams laid out rules at the outset and proceeded with negotiations. New information was added at the midpoint of the simulation that forced teams to amend their strategies. In the end, teams agreed to mostly mutually beneficial terms that they then evaluated. During the debriefing session, students reflected on the negotiating process as well as their specific negotiating skills.

Flashpoint: Syria 2014
Syracuse University
Maxwell School
Authors - Noam Ebner, Yael Efron, Nellie Munin