A Plan for an IPE Simulation: Contextualizing Globalization in the Classroom

This presentation provides 1) an overview of the benefits of using simulations to teach IPE, 2) instructions for a simulation during one or two classes, 3) resources for students during the simulation. This simulation is particularly useful to apply concepts and explore the links between the following topics: offshoring, deindustrialization, trade, multinational corporations, and foreign direct investment. The simulation takes place in a small town in the USA, where students are divided into four groups with competing interests: company executives, local unionized workers, local community representatives, and representatives from a foreign government. Briefly, the premise is that a major company in a small town is considering the offshoring of jobs. Groups must therefore bargain and negotiate, until the company reaches a decision.