The Civilization computer game contains several concepts that
can be used to strengthen students’ learning and prepare them for the international conflict role-play, Reacting to the Past. I will detail
which learning aims in the University curriculum we
expect to cover, and how they relate to Civilization.
The Social Studies curriculum in the University is characterized by five main areas: the
individual and society, working and business life, politics and
democracy, and culture and international relations. Each of these contain
between five and nine competency aims that the student is expected to
attain by the end of the course.
Though this game can be used in relation to certain competence aims
within several of the main areas, I find it to be particularly relevant
for preparing for the role play and international relations issues found in Reacting to the Past. The competence aims for international
relations are as follows:
“the student should be able to:
- define the concept of power and provide examples of how power is practiced in the world
- explain the concept of globalization and assess various consequences of globalization
- provide examples of international cooperation and describe your Civilization's involvement
- elaborate on historic activities for peace and human rights and
explain the your role in international activities
- elaborate on your civilization's aims and governing bodies and discuss your relationship to the world community
- use digital tools to find examples of different types of conflict in
the world and present an international conflict and proposals for
solving this conflict
- elaborate on why some countries are poor and some rich, and discuss measures to reduce poverty in the world
- elaborate on what characterizes international terrorism and reflect on the causes of terrorism
- discuss relations between economic growth, the environment and sustainable development”
I will provide a description of how some concepts in Civilization can be used in relation to these competence aims.
define the concept of power and provide examples of how power is practiced in the world
An important aspect of the game is the interaction between leaders of
different civilizations. In order to access vital resources or
technologies, the player needs to enter into diplomatic agreements with
other civilizations. The player’s level of success in these negotiations
is dependent on their relative military, technological, economic and
cultural power.
explain the concept of globalization and assess various consequences of globalization
Though it is theoretically possible to succeed playing this game
utilizing a completely isolationist policy, the civilizations become
increasingly dependent on each other throughout the game as trade
partners and military allies.
provide examples of international cooperation and describe your civilization’s international involvement
The player has the opportunity to enter into bi-lateral and
multi-lateral treaties and agreements with the other civilizations
(Trade agreements, Military alliances, embargoes etc.). In the modern era, if the United
Nations World Wonder has been built, civilizations can sign binding
resolutions on areas such as human rights, the ban of nuclear weapons
and access to the international marketplace
use digital tools to find examples of different types of
conflict in the world and present an international conflict and
proposals for solving this conflict
The game gives players the opportunity to simulate actual or
illustrative conflicts. These simulations might give the player a
greater understanding of the geo-political conditions that lead to armed
conflict, and how those conflicts may be resolved.
elaborate on why some countries are poor and some rich, and discuss measures to reduce poverty in the world
Resources are divided unevenly across the playing field.
Civilizations that originate near high yield resources develop more
rapidly than others. Economic and population growth will quickly
stagnate in civilizations that neglect the development of infrastructure
(roads, railroads, irrigation). Furthermore, the choice of civics and
the civilizations’ relationship with other civilizations will impact its
level of affluence.
elaborate on what characterizes international terrorism and reflect on the causes of terrorism
Barbarian warriors and settlements, which the player will encounter
in the early stages of the game, can to a certain extent be thought of
as analogous to modern non-state terrorists. In the later stages of the
game poverty, oppressive governments, foreign occupation, as well as
discrepancy between the religion of the people and state religion, cause
unhappiness. This in turn may cause the citizenry to revolt. Several
parallels can be drawn between this and the causes of terrorism.
discuss relations between economic growth, the environment and sustainable development
Throughout the game, the player will need to make choices related to
the environment and sustainable development. Players must assess the
needs of their civilization both in the short term and the long term in
order to succeed in the game. Some choices give immediate benefits, but
may lead to future disaster. For instance constructing a coal plant will
increase a city’s output, but will cause pollution which may lead to a
dissatisfied and diseased population.
The students will receive summative and formative assessments. Their
instructions are as follows:
1. Civics
In Civilization, the player can select
between several different civics. Read about these in the Civiliopedia
and list important terms. Each of these
may benefit, and/or disadvantage your civilization. Which civics did you choose for your
civilization? Why? How did your choices benefit or disadvantage your
civilization? Imagine you were running a real country, would you have
made the same choices? Draw parallels between the game and the actual events of history in the textbook.
2. Diplomacy
Which kinds of international agreements can
one enter into in Civilization? Which factors decide how successfully
you are able to conduct negotiations? Is the way diplomacy is
represented in the game an accurate simulation of how diplomacy is
conducted in the real world? Why, why not? Draw parallels between the
game and the actual events of history in the textbook.
3. Power
Define the term power in international
relations. How do states in
Civilization exert power over each other? Relate this to the concepts
of Charismatic/Ideological power, economic power and military power.
Refer to real-world examples in your text.
The Screenvideos are related to understanding the learning outcomes. In this task, students will use the WorldBuilder
function in Civilization to place resources, geographical features,
units, cities etc. on the game map. They will then be using a screen
recorder to demonstrate and comment on a recent or ongoing international
conflict. Their instructions are as follows:
List of Civics for Assessment (based on Civilization IV): Quiz (on Google Docs)
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