Handbook home
Reacting to the Past (HIST20081)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to ‘Reacting to the Past’ historical role‐playing games. Students are given elaborate game books which place them in moments of historical controversy and intellectual ferment. The class becomes an historical arena; students, in role, become particular persons from the period, often as members of a faction. Their purpose is to advance a policy agenda and achieve their faction’s objectives. To do so, they will undertake research and write speeches and position papers; and they will also give formal speeches, participate in informal debates and negotiations, and otherwise work to win the game. After a few preparatory lectures, the game begins and the players are in charge; the instructor serves as adviser or “gamemaster”. Outcomes sometimes differ from the actual history; a post‐mortem session at the end of the game sets the record straight. (For more information on ‘Reacting to the Past’, see https://reacting.barnard.edu/.)
This class offers one or two games, usually a game set in the modern period and in the early modern period: for example, a game about the dramatic parliamentary upheaval that took place under Henry VIII in Tudor England, and a game about the dilemmas and debates surrounding the achievement of Indian independence after World War II.
Intended learning outcomes
Students that successfully complete this subject should:
- gain a mastery of a major event in history
- develop skills in locating and analysing primary and secondary sources in constructing and evaluating historical arguments
- develop skills in clear and persuasive expression and argumentation, both oral and written
- develop skills of critical thinking, empathy, and oral expression and argumentation through participating in a multi-session role-play game
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Oral presentations in the role-play game (equivalent to 500 words)
| Mid semester | 25% |
Reflective essay
| During the examination period | 25% |
Hurdle Requirement Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Two quizzes (each equivalent to 50 words)
| From Week 2 to Week 6 | 20% |
Written work totalling 2000 words in the role-play game, consisting of simulated historical documents (such as speeches or newspaper articles) written in character
| Mid semester | 30% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Kate McGregor and Una McIlvenna Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 15 February 2024