UGA Bulletin

Course Description

Focuses on selected important episodes in American history from the sixteenth century to the present. The instructor introduces the historical period and pertinent texts and then, as gamemaster, assigns individual roles with victory objectives. In order to achieve their objectives, students must speak persuasively in group forums, using provided texts and independent research and their own writing. Students run sessions, with the instructor guiding and grading oral and written work.

Athena Title

React to the Past: Amer Hist

Non-Traditional Format

Through role-playing, students investigate large questions of historical causation and deepen their understanding of critical episodes and vital ideological and social currents in American history from the earliest periods of European contact to the present. The class is constructed as a set of games that unfold unpredictably. Assignments include primary and secondary sources and interpretive essays. Students run all game sessions; instructors advise factions and grade oral and written work.

Prerequisite

Any HIST course or ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101E or ENGL 1101S or ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E or ENGL 1102S or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about select topics in American history by gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
By the end of this course, students will be able to communicate their ideas about the history by roleplaying in historical games. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and act their assigned roles with historical accuracy.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how American history has shaped social, cultural, racial, and/or gender identities, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.

Topical Outline

MASSACHUSETTS, 1637 I. Introduction to "Reacting to the Past" and to puritan Massachusetts Expectations of students in this pedagogy
II. Setup of Ann Hutchinson Game Puritanism and English background The Massachusetts social order and religious tolerance Assignment of roles Meetings of factions
III. Meeting of Boston Church Introduction to Massachusetts congregationalism Ministers’ sermons Role of lay people Massachusetts standards for church membership; applying for church membership (these church meetings happen intermittently throughout game)
IV. Meeting of General Court, John Winthrop presiding Structure of General Court Appeals to General Court: Petitions from friends of Anne Hutchinson Trial begins Issues include: theology, religious tolerance, economics, government and liberty, and form of government, role of women in church
V. Post-mortem: real outcome versus outcome in class
REVOLUTIONARY NEW YORK, 1775-1776 I. Revolutionary New York: Historical and Ideological Background The crisis in the British/American relationship Liberalism and Republicanism Social structure and tensions in New York The coming of the Revolution Assignment of roles
II. Meeting of the provincial congress Arguments of loyalists and patriots Petitions from women and slaves Mob activities and reactions Response to Lexington and Concord Debate on Paine’s Common Sense Vote on independence
III. Post-mortem: real outcome versus outcome in class

Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

Syllabus

Public CV

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Reacting to the Past: Selected Topics in American History