POLS 2401: Global Issues
North Georgia College and State University
Atlantia Simulation
FALL SEMESTER 2009
Game Director: Dr. Craig B. Greathouse
Welcome to the front page for the Atlantia World Politics Simulation for Fall Semester 2009. This will be the homepage through which you can connect to the simulation and find all of the necessary information to successfully complete the assignments for this simulation and to hopefully help your country survive and prosper during the course of this simulation.
A simulation is an abstraction of reality designed to allow participants to experience the issues surrounding the situation and make decisions about how to address elements in a controlled environment. Simulations can be used for both entertainment and for educational purposes. Many of the most popular video games in existence today are simulations which let the participant experience an event without many of the consequences which could occur as a result. Therefore simulations can also be thought of as gaming but depending on how the game is presented it can simply be for entertainment purposes or be designed for educational content.
The Atlantia Simulation which follows is a simulation designed to replicate and teach students about international relations. Trying to teach students about the complexities of the international system is difficult in that there are many abstract ideas, a significant amount of information, and nebulous outcomes which can occur. Another drawback to teaching students international relations is that it normally is not a hands-on exercise. Unlike biology or chemistry where you ca directly work with either compounds or elements of a biological system international relations is abstract. This simulation is designed to allow students a hands-on approach to the problems, issues, and practices of an international system. No nation-state or other international actor is going to allow a student to play around in the real world so this is the best option that exists.
The goal of the this simulation is very simple, to allow students the ability to understand the complexity of the international system through their active participation within a controlled environment.
1. Students understand that international relations is the composite of all actions by actors in a system
2. Students will understand that domestic decisions will affect actors in the international realm
3. Students will understand the some of the influences surrounding choices about negotiation and conflict within the international system
4. Students will understand how different actors can have different influences within the system
The Atlantia Simulation is a manufactured international system which has been based on elements of the existing world but limited in scope. Currently there are only 9 state actors which will be active within the system. Non-state actors will be controlled by the game director to limit the level of complexity of the simulation. The 9 states have different characteristics and abilities and are designed to familiarize the students running them with opportunities and limitations that a nation-state would face in the real world. This simulation will allow all policy options which exist in the world to be replicated by the players. The choice of one option over another by a state will provide outcomes with have both positive and negative results. The goal of each state will be to achieve their objectives, these will be designed by the players for each state. One assumption that is built into this simulation is that the states want to survive and exist at the end.
RULES AND DUE DATES FOR ASSIGNMENTS
STATE OVERVIEW:
This section gives you and overview of the different states that exist within the Atlantia simulation. Included in the state description is basic information on population, the economic system, the government structure, military structure, and the player positions for that country. You should take time to familiarize yourself with all of the other states in the system.
International Organizations and Friends/Enemies/Neutrals
The following pages give you an overview of the IO's that exist within the system. Anyone wanting to make use of or interact with an IO must contact the Game Director. The Friends/Enemy/Neutral chart is designed to show the STARTING relationships between the different states. These relationships can change over the course of the game. If you happen to bomb a friend they are not going to like you anymore, or you may figure out how to make an enemy either neutral towards your state or a friend.
International Organizations Overview: CLICK HERE
Friend, Enemy, or Neutral: CLICK HERE
POSITION DESCRIPTIONS AND BUDGET EXPLANATION
The following pages will give you a very brief overview of the different positions that you may find yourself in during the course of the simulation. They are meant to be used as a guide in conjunction with the specific information given to you in the position description in the country. The budget explanation is to provide you with a quick overview of what the different budget lines represent.
Position Descriptions: CLICK HERE
Budget Explanation: CLICK HERE
AS THE WORLD SPINS OUT OF CONTROL:
This section is broken out by classes, as each classes' world will start the same but diverge as each class makes its own choices about events and actions. Pick the page that represents your class and BOOKMARK IT. This page will change weekly in response to events and actions. YOU NEED TO CHECK THIS PAGE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.
The following links will take you to the connection page for your particular class.
Comments, Questions, Issues, Accusations may be directed to me at
This simulation and all elements related to it are the property of
Craig B Greathouse Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science
North Georgia College and State University
Copyright 2008