Educators have long used case studies to help clarify abstract theories and concepts for students. Through case studies, students can observe how the theories and concepts that they have learned in the classroom apply to “the real world” or, sometimes, hypothetical cases. In my teaching practice as an instructor of international and comparative politics, I also use case studies in and out of the classroom to teach students about cases of which they may have little to no knowledge, including countries, cities, or other groups of people who exist outside of traditional political boundaries (e.g., some ethnic groups).

This resource provides a series of inductive in-class exercises to help students unpack important concepts in political science, especially ones that are often misused or misunderstood. I used these exercises throughout the semester. While the concept I focus on here is “empire,” these exercises can be used for a variety of concepts in international relations and comparative politics such as:

• Terrorism
• Genocide
• State
• Nation
• Democracy
• Authoritarianism
• Hegemony
• Sovereignty

While the examples provided here are rooted in international relations and comparative politics, instructors in other political science subfields can use them as well.