Summary
Within the scope of EUDIOC Jean Monnet Module, the “Simulation Training Seminar For Academics” is held on the 14th of February 2020 at Yeditepe University campus. A total of 33 academicians and students from different universities across Turkey gathered and shared their experiences in new learning methods and simulation technics. In her opening speech, the module coordinator Selin Türkeş-Kılıç underlined the prominence of allowing direct and meaningful participation of students to the classes via simulations. She indicated how hard and at the same time both efficient and entertaining the process has been by exemplifying the simulations she has her students carry out.
The first panel was on the simulations of international organizations. Damla Cihangir Tetik introduced a fourth-year Model United Nations (MUN) simulation class they developed at Istanbul Ayvansaray University Political Science and International Relations department. She explained the rationale in having a normally extracurricular activity as required a course in the curriculum as the empowering impact of simulations. She emphasized the strength of simulations in preparing students for professional life, improving their negotiation skills, and, enhancing their confidence and communication skills. Rahime Süleymanoğlu Kürüm introduced the EU decision-making simulation she adopts in her Jean Monnet Module entitled “Women’s Development and Europeanisation of Gender Policies.” She explained how the simulation of Employment, Social Policy, Health, and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) meeting on increasing women’s participation in the labor force across the EU member enables not only to effectively teach the decision-making mechanism but also to raise awareness on gender policies in the EU.
The second panel turned the focus on the students and gave a floor to master students to reflect upon the learners' perspective. Five graduate students made four presentations reflecting upon their own experiences in simulations. Efe Pirlibeylioğlu, Beril Pamir, and Ege Sürek shared their insights on the strategies that work better for students based on their experiences in Model Europan Union (MEU) and Model United Nations (MUN), respectively. İlayda Çakal developed on the learners' approach to how taking an active role in the simulations helps developing self-confidence and transferable social and presentation skills. She emphasized issues such as rage, attitude control, and acquiring empathy in comprehending and learning international relations through simulations. Yusufcan İndibay suggested using online games as an efficient way to learn international relations as they enable them to experience how decision-makers think and behave.
The third panel was on ways of integrating simulations into teaching International Relations Theories. İsmail Erkam Sula introduced three novel approaches, namely, the use of metaphors and stories, simulations, and strategy games to teach the 'difficult' topics in international relations. Didem Buhari Gülmez reflected upon the lack of discussion in international relations theories and introduced a method of panel simulation in which the students are divided into teams representing a critical international relations theory each. The students will thusly engage in a debate from different theoretical perspectives and learn by teaching. Seçkin Barış Gülmez presented his application of ‘Game of Thrones Simulations’ to teaching international relations theories.
The last panel was on the use of simulations as tools to teach and learn conflict resolution approaches. Meltem Ersoy put forward the issues such as empathy, active listening, and efficient communication in the conflict resolution simulations. Baturay Yurtbay shared his experiences from the “Conflict in the East and South China Seas” he participated in during his graduate studies at King’s College London. He elaborated on the ways through which the use of simulation can facilitate finding out possible solutions to the regional political disputes.
The training seminar has provided a platform to start an elaborative discussion on the use of simulations in related but various fields of international relations. The participants learned from and inspired by each other’s experiences. We would like to thank our speakers and guests who participated, were interested and were supportive through the process.
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