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ARGENTINA, 1985

Argentina, 1985: Making Memory

by Mary Jane Treacy

Argentina is at a crossroads. A military dictatorship has ended, a democratically elected president has taken office, and the nation begins to address its violent past: repression, political violence, labor unrest, "disappeared" citizens. This game brings these national debates to a secondary school that asks its students to seek information, tell a story about what happened at the school, and determine a path forward.

This is a Level 4 game that is still under development but has been approved by the Reacting Editorial Board (REB) for general use. A detailed explanation of the editorial process and game levels can be found on our REB Page.

ABOUT THE GAME

Details

Disciplines
Conflict and War Studies; Cultural and Social History; International Relations; Political Science and Government; Latin American History; Argentine Literature/Film


Era 
20th Century; Modern History


In a Few Words
Making collective memory


Geography 
Latin America

Themes and Issues  
Latin America, 20th Century Revolutions, Memory Studies, Argentina, Peronism, Transitional Democracy


Player Interactions 
Competitive, Collaborative, Aggressive, Coalition-Building


Sample Class Titles

Modern Latin America; Latin American History; Latin American Politics

Chaos and Demand on Instructor 

This game is mildly chaotic and mildly demanding on the instructor. The instructor is given the role of History teacher; the challenge is to learn about Argentina's specific history.

Level
Level 4 game (what's that mean?


Mechanics 

Large Classroom

Using the Game

Class Size and Scalability 
This game is recommended for classes with 28-33 students.

Class Time  
For this game, 6 or more game sessions are recommended.


Possible Reacting Game Pairings
This game can be used on its own, or with other games. These pairings are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive or prescriptive.  Argentina, 1985 may pair well with:


Assignments

You can adjust the assignments to fit the desired learning outcomes of your class. This game can include journalism, creative writing, and letter writing. The game is centered on small group work.

Reviews 

"It’s a wonderful introduction to memory studies, issues of transitional justice and to Argentinian history. It has enough gaminess to sustain interest while having enough intellectual heft to challenge even the brightest students. There can be a clear connection to issues that students across the world are wrestling with today. Every student, regardless of whether s/he is interested in Argentina, would benefit from playing this game."


GAME MATERIALS

Reacting Consortium members can download all game materials below. You will be asked to sign in before downloading.  

Please Fill out the Permissions Request Form Before Using Argentina, 1985 in Your Class!

Gamebook

All students need a Gamebook, which includes resources and historical content. Members can download the Gamebook, and provide it to students for free or at cost.

VERSION 5.1. Updated August 2021.

Instructor's Manual

The Instructor's Manual includes guidance for assigning roles, presenting historical context, assignments, activities and discussion topics, and more.

Role Sheets and Handouts

Students also need a Role Sheet, which contains biographical information, suggestions for further reading, and role-specific info or assignments.  

Additional Resources 

Resources for Introduction and/or Debrief

Suggested films can be used throughout the game as well as to exit the game. The IM's appendices provide viewing guides to these films: Camila, Eva Perón, La historia oficial, Our Disappeared, and Cautiva. Snippets of La mirada invisible are also suggested, as is a recording of the National Anthem of Argentina.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Mary Jane Treacy

Mary Jane Treacy is professor emerita of modern languages and literatures at Simmons College, where she was also director of the honors program. She has been involved with the Reacting to the Past pedagogy since 2005, when she played a minor spy in the court of Henry VIII and then set out to write Greenwich Village, 1913, for her course in the roots of feminism. She has taught Greenwich Village in both women’s and gender studies courses and first-year seminars. She is also author of a new Flashpoints game on a labor strike in Paterson, NJ (Paterson, 1913: A Labor Strike in the Progressive Era).

QUESTIONS

Members can contact game authors directly

We invite instructors join our Facebook Faculty Lounge, where you'll find a wonderful community eager to help and answer questions. We also encourage you to submit your question for the forthcoming FAQ, and to check out our upcoming events


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reacting@barnard.edu

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