Drawing on teaching experience in undergraduate and postgraduate political science modules, this paper argues that brief demonstrations and the reveals of visual illusions (magic tricks) are a more effective introductory pedagogy than realistic simulation exercises for novice students, including both traditional-age and mature undergraduates. While simulations can cultivate strategic thinking and enable students to test possible future scenarios, beginners often struggle with limited comprehension of and weak commitment to role-play, which undermines the exercises or compels the instructor to assume a directive, quasi-theatrical role. The paper reports on the use of a simple card trick to introduce the meaning of politics and political science to one cohort of mature top-up degree undergraduates and one cohort of taught Master’s students. It shows how illusion-based demonstrations provide a shared focal event that prompts discussion about perception, rules and order, agency and authenticity, and the construction of social reality, thereby directly addressing the two persistent weaknesses of simulations— shallow understanding of the roles and engagement. The paper concludes that integrating critically chosen illusion tricks to explain core social-science concepts yields higher engagement, clearer conceptual understanding, and more consistent outcomes in early-stage political science teaching.

Authors:
Larry Lai, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Larry Lai is currently a Teaching Associate & Honorary Lecturer at the Department of Politics & Public Administration, Department of Geography, and
Faculty of Business & Economics at The University of Hong Kong.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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