POLS 065. War Games and Simulations (IR)

This course will consider how war games and simulations can help us to better understand international relations (IR). Topics will include: the history of war games (which stretches back to the ancient Chinese game of Go); the use and abuse of war games in military planning; game theory in IR; the use of computer games to simulate IR; and how games can teach the climate crisis. During the course, the students will play a variety of games from simple game theoretic models to more complex war games. As a capstone, the students will design and then play their own IR games.
Social Sciences
1 credit.
Fall 2025. Tierney.
Catalog chapter: Political Science
Department website: swarthmore.edu/political-science

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