“Reacting to the Past” (RTTP) consists of elaborate games, set in the past, in which students are assigned ro les informed by classic texts in the history of ideas. Class sessions are run entirely by students; instructors advise and guide students and grade their oral and written work. It seeks to draw students into the past, promote engagement with big ideas, and improve intellectual and academic skills.  Pioneered by Barnard College in 1996, the project is supported by a consortium of colleges and universities. | Read more about the project. . .
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All of the games are set in the past, and thus might be regarded as history, but each game also explores multiple additional disciplines. Part of the intellectual appeal of RTTP is that it transcends disciplinary structures. In addition to games in the published series, the consortium seeks to expand the curriculum by supporting faculty workshops and collaboration on new game designs that explore a variety of historical moments in the humanities and sciences. | Learn more about the Curriculum | View upcoming Faculty Conferences. . .

RTTP was honored with the 2004 Theodore Hesburgh Award for pedagogical innovation. The project has received developmental support from the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation, Teagle Foundation, and FIPSE, U.S. Department of Education. RTTP has also been featured in Change magazine, the Chronicle Review, New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education; and elsewhere. | Visit our News & Media page. . . .