Pre-Conference Workshops: Further Information 

We are mixing up our programming a bit, so this year's conference will offer two workshops on the morning of Thursday, March 5. There is no extra cost for either workshop, but as both workshops require a minimum number of participants, we kindly request that you indicate interest by clicking here.

1) Gamifying the Premodern Classroom: Vikings Attack Iona! (9am–noon)

This workshop offers a play-through of the Reacting to the Past game Vikings Attack Iona, led by its authors, Vicky McAlister (Towson University) and Mary Valante (Appalachian State University). Reacting to the Past is a gamified pedagogy in which students take on historical roles and play through challenging moments in history, in the course of which they use close reading of primary sources to construct persuasive arguments, form alliances, and achieve desired outcomes. The number of games with medieval and early modern settings has rapidly increased in recent years, to include the Mongol Qurultai of 1246, the Fourth Crusade, the Investiture Controversy, the Black Death, Christine de Pizan, the 1492 Conclave, and Augsburg during the Reformation. While “Vikings” is still in development, it has proved extremely popular with students over the last few years. Participants learn about everyday life at the onset of the Viking Age, use research to challenge historical narratives, and work across social and cultural barriers—all while developing their creative and academic muscles.

Vikings attempts to resolve the following difficult situation: As Viking raiders attack the island monastery of Iona in the year 825, the local tenants and most of the monks try to hide. Some unlucky tenants have been captured and are being held for ransom, while a small group of monks bravely gather up the monastery’s treasures. After Viking ships are damaged in a scuffle, the Vikings, monks, and tenants all need to convince each other to gain what each group needs: freed hostages, new converts, trade, and the location of the rumored treasure hoard. This workshop is appropriate for all faculty, staff, and students who are interested in learning more about Reacting, gamified approaches in the classroom, and/or the Vikings game in particular. 

2) Public Scholarship and Writing (10am–noon)

As the landscape of academia—and our world more broadly—changes, many scholars are turning to public writing to demonstrate the relevancy of their work and contribute to crucial conversations that are shaping the present moment. Premodern scholars such as David Perry, Joshua R. Eyler, and David Pollack-Pelzner have crafted themselves as public scholars and have demonstrated the power of contributing academic voices to public humanities. However, the shift to public writing can seem daunting, especially for academics trained in traditional modes of scholarly writing. Led by Conference Co-Chair Cameron Hunt McNabb (University of Tampa), this workshop will cover practical strategies and tips for crafting public writing for non-academic audiences. It is appropriate for any graduate students, faculty, and independent scholars with an interest in public humanities.