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Reacting to the Past (HIST20081)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2020
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
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This subject introduces students to ‘Reacting to the Past’ historical role‐playing games. Through the use of game books students are placed 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 political 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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written work totalling 1,500 words in role-play game 1, consisting of simulated historical documents (such as speeches or newspaper articles) written in character
| Mid semester | 25% |
Oral performance including presentations and general oral participation in both games (equivalent to 1000 words)
| Mid semester | 30% |
Two quizzes
| From Week 2 to Week 6 | 20% |
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 |
Written work totalling 1,500 words in role-play game 2, consisting of simulated historical documents (such as speeches or newspaper articles) written in character
| During the examination period | 25% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
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:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 15 February 2024