Political Science Instructor Succeeds With Innovative Teaching Simulation
Bri Hernandez, an instructor in the Department of Political Science and a Gordon Morgan Fellow.
Last fall, Bri Hernandez, a Gordon Morgan Fellow and political science instructor, introduced a new teaching strategy to engage students in her International Political Economy course through The Hunger Games. The two-part simulation, District Marketplace and Future of Panem, allowed students to assume roles within various districts and explore concepts such as market failures, resource allocation and global trade dynamics.
"I enjoy crafting narratives for pedagogical tools," Hernandez said. "Using a familiar and popular franchise like The Hunger Games to illustrate course concepts made perfect sense."
In District Marketplace, students negotiated trade, formed alliances, and responded to challenges like natural disasters and labor strikes using market failure cards. Their goal was to grow their districts and meet both general and district-specific objectives while balancing economic and political realities.
"My partner and I had an interesting experience: we controlled a valuable resource, but trading it left us vulnerable," said student Noah Livingston. "It really highlighted the political ideas we discussed in class."
In the Future of Panem phase, students tackled climate change and resource needs, followed by the task of redesigning Panem's governing structure. Both Hernandez and her students agreed the simulation effectively reinforced key course concepts. The project also gave Hernandez a chance to refine her teaching methods and make the course more engaging by collaborating with her students.
"The simulation wasn't originally divided into two parts," Hernandez said. "The students suggested the second phase—there were so many more concepts to explore. In the future, I'll plan the course with both parts because it added so much to the experience."
Hernandez's students were joined by Umer Rahman, the GSIE associate director of graduate support, for the first day. He played District 6, the transportation district.
"This simulation rivals others published in international relations and history," Rahman said. "It's well-structured and gives students significant agency."
Encouraged by the students' engagement, Hernandez plans to continue using the simulation in future courses.
"I'll be using this two-part structure in my future IPE courses," Hernandez said. "It could easily be adapted to other franchises and topics. For example, a Star Wars setting focused on human rights and prosecuting war crimes would be a great fit."
About Bri Hernandez: Bri Hernandez is a Gordon Morgan Fellow at the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. candidate in international relations at Florida International University. She holds an M.A. in International Studies and certificates in Women and Gender Studies and National Security Studies from FIU.
Contacts
Patrick Grimes, administrative specialist
Department of Political Science
479-575-3356,
patrickg@uark.edu