SERFDOM: A SIMULATION IN CLASS ACHIEVEMENT

 

SCENARIO:

 

     Once upon a time, there was a great King who owned and ruled a vast land.  All the resources of the land, property and people, belonged to him and to whomever would succeed him as King.  Because of his advancing age, he decided to choose among his children (Princes or Princesses) which of them would be his successor. So he set a task to test and prove them.

     In a space of five years each were to build towers and fortresses wherein the grain and treasures of the country could be stored and by which the land could be defended. 

     Each Prince was to decide on a design for the buildings to be constructed and would be rewarded according to his accomplishments.  If he failed to measure up to a minimal standard of accomplishment, he would be executed, along with all who had helped him.  The one who succeeded most beyond the standards expected would become King and all who helped him would become Lords.

 

ROLES:

 

     There are 3 PRINCES who will choose 3 LORDS apiece (2 if fewer participants) to aid them in directing the work accomplishment.  All others are SERFS who will do the actual work. 

 

GOALS:

 

     There will be 5 turns; each turn to be rewarded according to the accomplishments.  At the end of 5 turns each PRINCE must have attained the minimum standard of 50 tokens; each LORD must have attained 20 tokens, and each SERF must have attained 10 tokens. Once a person has been given a role at the beginning of play he retains his standard of achievement throughout the simulation, even if his participating role is changed.

     If, at the end of the simulation, a LORD or a SERF has not achieved his expected standard, he is to be considered dead and all his tokens are forfeited to his Prince.  Those who have achieved most beyond their expected standard would be rewarded.

     If, at the end of the simulation, a PRINCE has not achieved his standard, he and all who worked with him are considered dead and all their tokens given to the one who becomes King.  The one who achieved most beyond the expected standard becomes KING.