It’s not even a class at this point, it’s basically a game.

The “Reacting to the Past” seminar is absolutely perfect for anyone who loves history; it is essentially a history lesson but you rewrite what happens. 

This class is divided into two sections for the semester, these are referred to as two different games and, for my class it was Athens and India. Each member of the class will be assigned a role through a random process that they will then have to embody for the entirety of the game. You work to further your own personal goal, whilst also keeping in line with other members in your class that may be a part of your faction (yes there will be factions!). If you are someone who enjoys debate this class features several moments where you will have to conjure up an argument to call out your enemies.

What is so good about this seminar is that even though it requires a lot of reading for you to fully understand the objective of the game and your individual character, the reading does not feel like work because of how interactive and engaging classes are. In my opinion, and I believe many of my classmates can agree, this class is genuinely fun and you take on a likeness to your character as the game goes on which makes it feel a little less like work you have to do but more like work you want to do. 

“Reacting to the Past” is unique in the sense that unlike other seminars, you feel as if you are performing your assignments- the class does require two written assignments per game but along with submitting them you also present them in front of your peers as a speech in character.

After each game has concluded you would have rewritten history based on decisions made in your class game sessions! The professor will also give a short lecture about what actually happens and it is super interesting to see how close (or far) your version was from the events which took place in history. It truly gives you an understanding of why certain decisions were made and makes you question if the real people made the right choices. 

So if you are interested in history, debate, speech or just love to embody a character, this is definitely the seminar for you!

Image via Bwarchives