Looking for clearly structured, ready-to-implement games and simulations – that don’t require investing hours in conference presentations that rarely translate into tangible resources? If so, this is the book for you! Informed by the scholarship on active teaching and learning established in Simulations in the Political Science Classroom: Games without Frontiers (Reference Harvey, Fielder and Gibb2023), this text is a companion piece that provides practical, adoptable examples that employ active learning strategies. Loaded with over 90 short games and simulations, from simple to complex approaches, the text is a valuable resource for anyone interested in gamifying their political science classroom.

Compiled by a diverse set of faculty with a broad spectrum of areas of expertise, the anthology includes relevant games for any introductory-level course. The introduction very briefly restates the research behind active learning strategies and the value of short games. The text is then sectioned into five parts, each part containing a collection of games and simulations relevant to the specific subfield or set of subfields. Each entry identifies the materials needed, associated costs, number of players, and time needed. A brief description and explanation of gameplay and tips follow. The consistent format of the entries reduces cognitive load and facilitates easy implementation.

The first section includes games for general political science and political theory. This is the most widely applicable collection of games. For example, the first entry by Feeney and Hogan directs students to draw an answer to the prompt ‘What is politics?’ The discussion that follows is designed using the whole-brain approach to learning, which could be adapted to any political science classroom. Similarly, Paslıoğlu’s ‘station model’, in which students are instructed to engage with topics via music, film, and drawing, could be adapted to any topic in political science. The games in the second section are applicable in courses in American politics. Here you will find legislative and electoral simulations, media analyses, and campaign finance reform games, even judicial decision making and the threat of veto are all incorporated into a variety of entries. Together, the entries in this section comprehensively cover the traditional units of an introductory American politics course. Games applicable to public policy and administration courses are provided in section three. From budgeting to emergency management, the games in this section facilitate critical thinking and help students recognise the diverse actors and competing interests at play. Petchko and Brummer’s simulation demonstrates the varying interests at play in the confrontation of population decline, while Jansa’s game examines the political impacts of minimum wage manipulation. The fourth section provides games applicable to courses in comparative politics. Employing the comparative method, games in this section guide students in analysing constitutions, electoral systems, and political violence inter alia. Although the simulations in this section primarily involve negotiation, Hendrickson’s DIY coups are sure to challenge students’ assumptions. The final – and largest – section includes games relevant to courses in international relations. While the prisoner’s dilemma and balance of power politics dominate this section, the games provide students the opportunity to scrutinise a variety of topics, including but not limited to intelligence, development, national security, environmental policy, and ethnic politics. While many of the games in this section include complex and fully developed scenarios, they are also highly adaptable. For example, Butcher’s disaster relief role-playing simulation is easily adaptable to any historic, recent, or fictional disaster.

All the games and simulations, except for one, are multiplayer. Therefore, the collection could be improved with the addition of single-player games or single-player adaptations. Single-player games could be particularly helpful as courses are increasingly offered online, another area ripe for further development.

The games and simulations in this anthology facilitate critical thinking and an appreciation for multiple viewpoints and perspectives using a variety of modalities of learning. From Feeney and Hogan’s use of drawings to Comb’s photo analysis, the activities demonstrate the importance of engaging with differing viewpoints. Additionally, each game or simulation provides a set of suggested debriefing questions to prompt discussion – a key aspect of active learning.

This is not simply a collection of trivia games with a political science theme; it is a comprehensive collection of games and simulations intentionally designed for political science education. While most short games are intended for single-class sessions in introductory undergraduate courses, they are highly adaptable and could be lengthened and/or intensified for advanced students. The associated costs of the games range from free to $60, with links to freely accessible materials and resources online provided throughout.

Short Games and Active Learning in Political Science is a comprehensive, user-friendly anthology of games and simulations poised to activate student learning and improve comprehension. Although it is particularly well-suited for introductory undergraduate courses, political science instructors across all subfields and educational levels will find it to be a valuable resource.