Zombies and Aliens: Fantasy and Science-Fiction Simulations in Teaching Political Science, International Relations and Security Studies

The article explores the pedagogical potential of integrating fantasy and science fiction simulations into teaching political science, International Relations or security studies at the university level. Recognizing the influence of popular culture on contemporary students, the article advocates for leveraging the immersive experience of simulations based on unusual topics. Drawing inspiration from similar successful didactic endeavors, we introduce an outline for a pedagogical experiment and key takeaways from its preliminary tests on students from various courses. Theoretical and empirical foundations are provided to support the experiment’s methodology, emphasizing the use of imaginative scenarios to engage students and provide them with a set of important skills, as well as foster critical thinking and enhance creative problem-solving in an empowering educational experience. The article presents the structure of the experiment, conducted over three years with diverse student groups, yielding promising early results and positive feedback, but also touches on its challenges and limitations. It concludes that team-based role-playing simulations provide an accessible, low-tech yet innovative tool which could make its way into more curriculums.