The military history course, conducted by Dr Teddy Sim Yong Huei gives NIE and NTU students the chance to learn about the wars of the British empire and explore the broader use of violence and aggression in society through case studies from across time and regions.
Typically, the course would include field trips outside the classroom. Simulation games have also been incorporated, enabling students to probe into counterfactuals in a battle or war. Counterfactuals, as they are studied by serious and prominent historians, represent a deeply analytical way to probe into the course of history (Cowley 2000, Black 2020).
The games were played by multiple groups of four to five students in the classroom. With the safety restrictions due to COVID-19, the session now takes place via livestream using the Zoom platform. The simulation and role play, which involves elements of decision-making in the deployment of military forces and parleying, allow students to empathise with specific challenges in the battlefield or war situation.
The gameplay has been a highlight of the course for students, and we hope it will help to draw more students (especially military history enthusiasts!) to sign up for this interesting module.