Civilization IV Student Government Project

CrazyJoe

I was thinking about planning a year long American Government unit using Civilization IV. I was planning on doing this with a group of 20 Fourth or Fifth Graders. Here is how I planned the breakdown of the students and the responsibilites of those positions. I realize that some things have been simplified and may not match exactly what their actual function is but that is necessary at least a little. All positions are held by one student unless otherwise noted. I would welcome any suggestions as to modifications of the duties as it would relate to the game.

President
Meets with cabinent to hear their suggestions, suggests things to congress. Controls all military units (must ask congress to declare war on another nation though.) Signs/denies any "law" passed by congress.

Cabinet
Secretary of State - Advise President on all matters related to diplomacy. Suggest buildings to be constructed relating to spy rate (courthouse, jail, etc.) Controls which foreign civilizations are target of spys. Can suggest increased spy rate.

Secretary of Defense - Advise President on all matters related to military. Suggest buildings to be constructed relating to military or defense (barracks, walls, etc.) Can suggest construction of military units.

Secretary of Education - Advise President on all matters related to education. Suggest buildings to be constructed relating to education (library, university, etc.) Controls selection of research.

Secretary of Interior - Advise President on all matters related to production. Controls constuction in all cities.

Supreme Court
(Three Students) Controls Civics. Will listen to arguments by public appointed "lawyers" to suggest new civics once available. Can overturn any "law" approved by Congress and signed by the President

Congress
Senate
(Three students) Must approve treaties. Votes on proposed laws. (Proposed laws can be a required building in every city (school, library, etc.) No use of certain units, ect.)

House
(Five students) Controls all sliders (money, spy, culture, etc.). Votes on proposed laws.

Public
(Four students) Meet with any office to suggest things. Elects "lawyers" to argue or suggest new civics to Supreme Court. Controls all workers and settlers (discusses plan for new cities, improvements built, etc.)

The plan is to have elected offices change every Quarter except for Supreme Court will will retain their position unless they voluntarily "retire."

First, I plan to split the class into two to represent the parties. They will each suggest a candidate for president then we will have an election.

Once a president is selected each "party" will suggest three Senate and four House candidates. One from each party will pair up and have an election between each pair.

Once Congress is elected the President will interview candidates for their Cabinet and Supreme Court. Selected candidates will then be interviewed by the three Senators and then confirmed/denied. This continues until cabinet and three SC Justices confirmed.

As I said this is my plan so please let me know what you guys think and if there are any game mechanics that I forgot and what position they should be assigned to.

Thanks so much!

Tushon

This sounds interesting and I'm curious as to how it'll play out. I haven't played in a while but it sounds like you have good coverage.

ardichoke

I can see the Fox News headlines now... "Lazy Teachers Playing Video Games Instead of Teaching... Socialist Conspiracy?"

MrTRiot

Awesome way to get to get kids interested into politics. Looks good!

GHoosdum

You forgot two important positions if you want to teach these kids the lessons we missed out on in Government class as kids:

Special Interest
Throw money around to control all decisions made by Congress, President, and Cabinet members. Their purpose is to thwart the Public good and instead impose their own will upon the nation. Choose the richest kids in class for this position.

Media
Shape the behavior of the Public by defining what information they are exposed to and distracting from important issues by confabulating minor issues to inflame public opinion.

CrazyJoe

Ima have to pass on your suggestion Rob. Thanks though.

Jokke

Cool idea. I'd like to hear how it works out.

Thrax

Every time a giant death robot steps over a tile, the media should declare the president a terrorist that makes children homeless as his death panel robots stomp the cities flat.

THANKS OBAMA.

CB

It would be cool to have a media element. It would be a group whose job it is to ask the officials questions, and tell the public about what's going on. I think that would only work with amuch larger group of kids though. With only 20, your pool of 'citizens' is already pretty small.

CrazyJoe

I agree CB and if I get approval to do this it is something I might add in future years. I want to keep the initial group fairly small so that it is relatively manageable by myself.

I could possibly get one of the "public" to be a reporter though.

midga

You could have the "reporter" sum things up in articles they turn in to you or present to the class or something. I'd imagine you've got a student or two who'd be totally into that sort of thing.

Overall, looks like a really cool idea. Will be really interesting to see how they break into their sub-factions within the groups.

CrazyJoe

I'm meeting with one of the fourth grade teachers today to discuss this and see how exactly we want to implement it. I'll keep you guys up to date on how things turn out.