The Game of Social Life: A Multidimensional Poverty Simulation

Abstract

Understanding structural factors in social life is one of the top learning goals of a course in sociology (Persell 2010). Still, students often react defensively to discussions about structural inequality (Davis 1992; Watt 2007). Simulation activities may be a means of creating a safe environment for engaging people in these dialogues (Dorn 1989). This...

Download this resource to see full details. Download this resource to see full details.

Details

Subject Area(s):

Stratification/Mobility

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Small

Usage Notes

The Game of Social Life is a poverty simulation board game designed for use in small group settings. It is ideal for environments in which there are fewer than 30 players per facilitator. Room space and configuration is required for participants to play the board game. The room should be set up with tables or desks pushed together so that there is room to...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Describe structural factors that contribute to poverty.
2. Question assumptions of meritocracy and individualistic explanations for poverty
3. Evaluate the role of economic privilege in one’s own life and in one’s own society

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Responses during a written reflection assignment and/or students’ verbal responses during the guided discussion can be used to assess students’ ability to describe structural factors that contribute to poverty.
2. Responses during a written reflection assignment and/or students’ verbal responses during the guided discussion can be used to assess students’ ability to question assumptions of meritocracy and individualistic explanations for poverty.
3. Responses during a written reflection assignment and/or students’ verbal responses during the guided discussion can be used to assess students’ ability to evaluate the role of economic privilege in one’s own life.