Simulation of Realistic Scenarios

Considerably more concise than classic academic essays, the process of writing good policy papers is by no means simple. In Italy, and perhaps other European countries too, us students are expected to internalize and parrot huge amounts of notions. Except for theses or doctoral programs, such topics are rarely the object of further investigation and research within the taught courses. As such, not only do students write occasionally; in many instances they are not given the chance to turn into the main actors who can analyze, discuss, dismantle, and rebuild the discipline. That is, many students perchance care more about memorizing notions rather than their own critical take on those very notions.

Without any type of prejudice against any university system, which we truly respect, our aim is to offer the most realistic range of simulations that combine both theoretical and practical tools. Through the envisioning of multiple possible scenarios, we encourage students to use the notions they learned to develop critical and dynamic takes on the subjects in question. In other words, here the main objective is to turn the students into the main policy actors. For instance, what would you do if you were the Italian Prime Minister in the aftermath of an ISIS’s-led terrorist attack in Rome? What would you do in the same situation if you were a right-wing politician, the head of the Jewish community in Rome, the minister of education, or one of the leaders of the city’s Muslim community?

Scenarios

The following section features 5 potential research proposals concerning various aspects linked to international security. Yet, being the nature of the study of counter-terrorism and counter-radicalization heterogeneous and interdisciplinary, we invited students and professionals from all fields to embark on these projects. These are constructed as realistic case scenarios, or simulations, with the intent to provide students with the opportunity to be the main actors and play a part/role they can choose from the list below. Once the students have selected their part in the simulation, they are invited to suggest practical and concrete plans of actions.

Choose your role

List of the positions/role and the recipients of the policy papers – students can make any arrangement they wish, for the list is not mutually exclusive.