Welcome to Deckville: An experiential simulation for teaching globalization, culture, and communication

Grounded in experiential learning, “Welcome to Deckville” is a role-play simulation that fosters collaboration, negotiation, and adaptability by immersing students in the complexities of global trade and cultural values. Students are divided into four distinct cultural groups based on the suits of a standard deck of cards, each with its own survival needs, power structures, and expansion goals. As groups interact and trade, students experience firsthand how cultural values shape decision-making, outcomes, and global interdependence. This turnkey, ready-to-use activity transforms globalization from an abstract concept to a lived reality while cultivating the critical thinking, intercultural competence, and communication skills essential for today’s learners.Courses Fundamentals of Communication; Intercultural Communication; Persuasion/Negotiation.Objectives By the end of this activity, students will be able to analyze how cultural values shape decision-making in global contexts, apply collaborative negotiation strategies while maintaining cultural integrity, and evaluate the ethical implications and real-world parallels of globalization.