Reacting to the Past (CLAS 2110) is open to all Students. It satisfies CORE AREA E. This course will change the way you learn.

Basic Concept Behind "Reacting" Classes:

In "Reacting" classes, students play elaborate games, set in the past, at a pivotal moment in history, and grounded in classic works of literature. Each game lasts about ten sessions, and most courses involve playing two of the games. In each game, you will be assigned the role of an historical (or quasi historical) figure and given a description of your particular bjectives for the game. For the first few sessions of each game, the instructor provides guidance on the issues and historical context on which the game will turn. But early in the third session (or thereabouts), the class will break into factions, as you meet with students who have similar roles in order to figure out to accomplish your objectives. You will probably meet with your faction outside of class as well.

By the fourth or fifth session, the class will again meet as one. Students whose characters function in a supervisory capacity—president of the Athenian Assembly, First Grand Secretary in the Hanlin Academy of the Ming Dynasty, Governor General of the Simla Conference in India—will preside over what transpires. The instructor will intrude merely to resolve disputes or issue rulings on other matters.

The heart of the game is persuasion. For nearly every role to which you’ve been assigned, you must persuade others that “your” views make more sense than those of your opponents. Your views will be informed by important texts that you will read as part of the class. You have two ways of expressing your views: orally and in writing. Both will be graded by the instructor.

UGA Student Reactions to "Reacting" Classes:

Students love the Reacting course because it engages them both with each other and with course material. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in public life as a citizen—first of ancient Athens, then of Revolutionary France. You’ll learn how to think on your feet and argue a position, conduct research in the libary and on the web, and negotiate with allies and adversaries. The roles you play may be very different from who you are in life, and that presents quite a challenge!

The Spring 2007 course will consist of two Games, “The Threshold of Democracy: Athens in 403 BC” and “Confucianism & the Succession Crisis of the Wan Li Emperor in 1537.” The class is primarily student run, with Nancy Felson (Classics) and Karin Myhre (Comparitive Literature) serving as “Gamemasters.” Every student has a role and works with classmates to develop strategies.

Email Dr. Felson, the Reacting Coordinator at UGA, for more information about "Reacting to the Past" courses at UGA.

What UGA students have to say about "Reacting" :

"ENTERING MY FIRST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into when I registered for Reacting to the Past. What I discovered was a class unique among any other courses on campus, a class of literature, philosophy, history, politics and much more. In Reacting, you are not just learning about the events of our past through lectures and reading passages, but you have the chance to interact daily with your classmates, discussing and debating the issues that existed during pivotal points in our world’s history as if you were an actual player in those fascinating times. This class offers the exact type of learning experience I desired from the Honors Program at UGA, and I suggest that EVERY student of EVERY major take advantage of this great opportunity. You won’t regret it!" Joe Higgins, Music Education, 2nd year HPSC Member, Honors Peer Advisor

"I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO ENGROSSED in the material I was learning as I was during Reacting to the Past. The pedagogy makes learning personal—as opposed to collecting facts you need to know for a test. The class teaches you public speaking skills, the necessity of thinking on your feet, and the value of experiencing history from an insider’s perspective, while living through it. Reacting to the Past is a college experience not to be missed!" Marilyn Zapf, Sophomore at UGA, Intended Major: Art. Governor’s Scholar

PLEASE SIGN UP!!
TAKE A RISK THAT WILL (WE PROMISE YOU) PAY OFF. YOU WILL BE DAZZLED AND DAZED AT FIRST, BUT ONCE YOU GET USED TO “REACTING,” IT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LEARN AND THINK IN ALL YOUR COURSES.

Consult the Barnard Reacting web site for more information on how "Reacting" classes are done.