World History Adventure: Win or Lose World War II?

What will be taught?
Learners will delve into the history of World War II, exploring the political, military, and strategic decisions that shaped this pivotal period. Using the acclaimed board game World in Flames, they’ll develop skills in strategic thinking, diplomacy, and collaboration, all while deepening their understanding of global history.

What topics will you cover?
Pre-War Diplomacy: The geopolitical dynamics of the 1930s, including the tensions between democracies, fascist states, and the Soviet Union.
World War II Strategy: Military planning, foreign policy decision-making, and the consequences of these actions on the global stage.
Historical Analysis: Comparing in-game events to real-world historical developments, such as the reoccupation of the Rhineland, the Spanish Civil War, and Italy’s annexation of Ethiopia.
Collaboration and Leadership: Working in teams to lead a nation, strategize effectively, and achieve victory.
How is your class structured?
This multi-week class combines gameplay with historical analysis:

Week of December 5th: Introduction to the rules and board setup. Learners explore the global situation in 1936, studying the tripolar world of democracies, fascist states, and communism.
Week of December 12th: The first turn begins as learners make foreign policy decisions and move units. Historical context includes the first two months of 1936.
Week of December 19th: The second turn covers Spring 1936. Learners strategize to build their countries’ militaries, reacting to events like Germany’s reoccupation of the Rhineland and Italy’s war in Ethiopia.
Week of December 26th: The third turn addresses early summer 1936. Learners grapple with real-world events, like Italy’s annexation of Ethiopia, and decide how the League of Nations and Allied powers should respond.
Each session blends gameplay with historical insights, allowing learners to both experience and analyze key events.

How will you teach?
I will guide learners through the game, explaining rules and providing historical context at every stage. The class uses a team-based approach, encouraging collaboration as learners represent their assigned countries. I’ll facilitate discussions, answer questions, and ensure everyone stays engaged, whether they are strategizing or learning about the history behind the game’s events.

What's your teaching style?
My teaching style is interactive and inclusive, fostering teamwork and critical thinking. I balance the game’s structure with flexibility to encourage creative problem-solving and collaboration. Historical discussions will help learners reflect on their decisions and connect the gameplay to real-world history.

How much will learners get to interact with you?
Learners will engage with me throughout each session as I:

Explain game mechanics and offer strategic guidance.
Provide historical context to enrich the experience.
Moderate team discussions and decision-making processes.
Offer feedback and facilitate reflection on in-game and real-world parallels.
This highly interactive class ensures that all learners are involved, whether they’re leading a power, contributing to a team strategy, or analyzing the historical backdrop.