CHIST 2550 Democratic Challenges: Learning Through Games
This course focuses on key historical events that have shaped how we understand the challenges of democratic government. Students will explore the theme of democratic challenges through two Reacting to the Past games that take place in the modern age and grapple with the legacy of colonialism. The first game is set in India in 1945, the eve of independence from British colonial rule. Indian leaders with diverse religious and political beliefs (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Communists, and more) must decide the future of the Indian nation. The second game is set in South Africa in 1993, just after the collapse of the racist Apartheid system. Political party representatives must find a way to transition their society away from profound systemic inequality and towards an egalitarian system. They grapple with the meaning of justice, equality, and liberty amidst South Africa’s incredible racial, cultural, economic, and political diversity. Through this award-winning pedagogy, students engage in a deep investigation of the past and gain a greater understanding of the present.