March 24, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the UAB Department of History will host the regional "Reacting to the Past" conference for history educators April 3-4 at Heritage Hall, 1401 University Blvd.

"Reacting to the Past" is an award-winning teaching method that was originated by Mark Carnes at Barnard College. In "Reacting to the Past," students play elaborate role-playing games in which they become characters in history and debate and defend their character's position on an important issue of the period.

"Reacting to the Past" has grown in popularity on college and university campuses in recent years, says UAB Associate Professor of History Andrew Keitt, Ph.D., who uses the games for his classes.

Faculty and educators attending the conference at UAB will learn about "Reacting to the Past" by participating in a role-playing game focused on the French Revolution. Participants will represent major factions in the National Assembly and debate issues such as whether the King of France should retain his power.

A panel of experts at the conference also will work on a new game now in development called "The Struggle for Civil Rights: Birmingham to Memphis 1963-1966." Participants will play members of groups like the NAACP and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and debate whether nonviolence would be most effective in achieving civil rights and whether to stage sit-ins, boycotts or freedom rides.