Live! From the past

In this interdisciplinary unit you will step into the past and play immersive role playing games that bring history’s pivotal moments to life. You will receive expert introduction to a period and event and then play the roles of historical figures or groups. Through debating ideas, negotiating crises, and making deals in real time you will develop essential skills in critical thinking, persuasive communication, and cooperation.

In this unit you will gain insight into some key historical moments. But this unit isn’t just about history. It deals with the intersection of politics, science, the humanities, and rhetoric. As you argue, collaborate, and strategize you’ll engage deeply with primary sources, sharpen your mental agility, and learn how to navigate complex challenges. No prior experience in gaming or in history is required, just bring your curiosity and readiness to dive into the dramas of the past.

The specific games played across the unit may change, but indicative themes and periods covered include: democracy in ancient Athens, the plague in medieval England, the French Revolution, Cholera in Victorian London, Indian independence after the second world war, and debates around tobacco and lung cancer in the USA in the 1960s.