TROUBLE IN COMMON.International relations simulationsHow to use this
Menu

← Back to starting questions / The World We Make

Constructivism, ideas & norms

Ideas & normsSecurity & powerIR theory

Constructivism, the Cold War & the landmine ban

The World We Make

What can change when the weapons stay the same?

Two armed rivals meet. Investigate the end of the Cold War and the campaign to ban landmines. Carry records between exhibits, test an inspection protocol, and defend a coalition strategy before you revisit your first prediction.

How it runsSolo historical investigation
Time to plan60–90 min · 5 episodes
What you produceA Class PDF with 12 explanations, the evidence-based prediction revisit, and the decisions and records behind them
For FunExplore at your paceFor ClassFollow your assignment

Start For Class and enter your name. Course or section is optional. Complete twelve explanations and the evidence-based P01 revisit. Each requires at least 15 words (195 total). For Fun keeps separate progress and offers optional writing.

When the Class assignment is complete, choose Print / Save PDF and upload the PDF to Canvas. If assigned, also submit the separate assessment-data JSON for batch grading.

Your run saves in this browser when storage is available. Download a progress JSON before moving devices and restore it in the same mode.

Saving & submission →
Embed this activity

Bring the activity into your course.

Paste this snippet into an LMS or website HTML editor that supports iframes. The snippet displays the hosted activity without including its source code.

Keep the full-tab link included below the frame. Some LMSs and browsers restrict embedded storage, downloads or printing. Students should download a backup before changing views; opening a new tab does not transfer an in-memory record.

Embedding and free-use permissions →
A symbolic collage of Cold War diplomacy, treaty records, and the campaign against landmines.

What you can explore

  • Explain how ideas, identities, and norms can change what capabilities mean to different actors.
  • Compare constructivist explanations with material and institutional accounts.
  • Use named historical records to revise a prediction and assess a coalition strategy.

Guides & downloads

What the model leaves open

Historical records are sourced and the cases occur across different places and dates. Workshop choices and their outcomes are hypothetical.

AFTERWARD, THINK ABOUT

Which record changed how you read the relationship between the rivals?

Teaching this activity Debrief, assessment & assignment draft

Bring it back to the room

  • Which record changed how you read the relationship between the rivals?
  • Which parts of the landmine campaign are easier to explain with an account of norms?
  • What material or institutional rival explanation still deserves consideration?

What to assess

Use the instructor guide’s 0–3 criteria for mechanism, evidence, rival explanations, and revision. The local grading workspace can import separate assessment-data JSON when assigned.

Read the complete teaching guide →

Syllabus description, rubric & printable companion →

Prepare an assignment to share.

Edit this text, then copy it into Canvas or your course website. These edits stay in this tab.

Syllabus description & discussion prompts
Syllabus description
Two armed rivals meet. Investigate the end of the Cold War and the campaign to ban landmines. Carry records between exhibits, test an inspection protocol, and defend a coalition strategy before you revisit your first prediction. Students produce a class pdf with 12 explanations, the evidence-based prediction revisit, and the decisions and records behind them.
Questions for a discussion board or class debrief
  1. Which record changed how you read the relationship between the rivals?
  2. Which parts of the landmine campaign are easier to explain with an account of norms?
  3. What material or institutional rival explanation still deserves consideration?
Open printable teaching companion →