IMC 2019: Sessions
Session 946: Playing the Middle Ages: A Round Table Discussion
Tuesday 2 July 2019, 19.00-20.00
| Sponsor: | The Public Medievalist |
|---|---|
| Organiser: | Robert Houghton, Department of History, University of Winchester |
| Moderator/Chair: | Juan Hiriart, School of Arts & Media, University of Salford |
| Abstract | The medium of games is vibrant and powerful. The last few decades have seen the rise and spread of computer games, a renaissance in board and tabletop games, and a popularisation of roleplaying games and LARPing. These games are of interest to medievalists and educators for a wide range of reasons. They can engage their players with the historical period. They can be used to teach theory and historical debates. They can act as research tools. They can even fundamentally influence how we think and talk about the Middle Ages. This round table moves beyond well-trodden debates over historical accuracy and authenticity in games to consider the utility of this medium in the classroom, in our research, and in the wider world. Participants include Victoria Cooper (University of Leeds), Robert Houghton (University of Winchester), Katherine J. Lewis (University of Huddersfield), and Simon Trafford (University of London). |