Political Science Gaming Lab

Abdullah Gül University

Author: politicalsciencegaminglabadmin

  • Contesting Power in the Late Ottoman Empire: Actors, Conflicts, and State Transformation

    Ideas in Play Seminar Series – 1

    This seminar will offer a scholarly exploration of the political and social dynamics of the Hamidian era, followed by an interactive game session designed to deepen engagement with the historical themes discussed.

    Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/kHXxU1FSEi

    Speaker: 

    Asst. Prof. Akile Zorlu 
    Department of History, Middle East Technical University (METU) 

    Bio:

    Akile Zorlu received her BA in Western Languages and Literatures from Boğaziçi University and her MA in European History from Bilkent University. She completed her PhD in Ottoman–Turkish history at the University of Wisconsin under the supervision of Prof. Kemal Karpat, where she later also taught. Since 2009, she has been a faculty member in the Department of History at Middle East Technical University. Her research focuses on late Ottoman and early Republican modernization.

    İttihat is a multiplayer strategy board game set in the late Ottoman period, centered on the power struggle between Sultan Abdülhamid II and the Young Turks.

    Players vie for influence, forge alliances, and maneuver through political intrigue to shape the future of empire.

  • Capstone Project Fair

    On January 4, 2024, we hosted the AGU POLS Capstone Project Fair, and it turned out to be a fantastic celebration of creativity and ideas. Our seniors brought their best work to the table, from competitive board game battles to engaging podcast discussions, all designed to explore Political Science and International Relations in fresh and interactive ways. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were contagious, and the projects truly showcased the talent and originality of our students.

    In the Capstone I projects, we experiment with games and interactive media as tools for teaching and research.

    Apocalypse: The Second World War
    Test your knowledge of WWII while racing to victory! Players take on the roles of major powers, answer strategy and history questions, and navigate cooperation, conflict, and survival. A mix of trivia, resources, and negotiation brings global politics to the game board.

    IdeAlogy
    Step into the shoes of different political ideologies and see the world through their eyes! Players navigate crises, debates, and strategies as Communists, Liberals, Nationalists, and more—learning how ideas shape decisions while competing to keep their ideology hidden.

    Media Matters & Political Chatter
    Tune in to thoughtful discussions about the stories shaping our world. Whether it’s unpacking political currents, debating policy, or diving into media dynamics, this podcast invites listeners on a clever journey through the issues that matter.

    The Crux

    In the Crux podcast series, you will get chances to think more on terrorism the fear-maker, Caucasia the region of mountains, defense industry the maximum complexity of industries, and cybersecurity the world of untangibles