Life-Changing Courses: Wargames and Simulations in International Relations
Life-Changing Courses: Wargames and Simulations in International Relations
Life-Changing Courses: Wargames and Simulations in International Relations
By Ryan Dougherty
February 15, 2026
Summary
Swarthmore College’s new course, Wargames and Simulations in International Relations, taught by Professor Dominic Tierney, immerses students in global political dilemmas through analog games and simulations. Students examine nuclear deterrence, humanitarian crises, climate change, Taiwan conflict scenarios, and peace games while learning how choices, alliances, and strategy shape outcomes. Supported by the Lang Center, the course emphasizes experiential learning, civic engagement, and the human side of international relations. Students describe the class as rare, unsettling, and deeply memorable, noting how simulations made abstract theories tangible. The course concludes with student-designed games modeling diplomacy, climate crises, and future pandemic responses collaboratively.
Reference
Dougherty, R. (2026, February 15). Life-Changing Courses: Wargames and Simulations in International Relations. Swarthmore College. https://www.swarthmore.edu/academics/life-changing-courses-wargames-and-simulations-international-relations