From Vice City to Varsity: An Unorthodox Approach to American History
Starting this January, students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will have the unique opportunity to enroll in “Grand Theft America: US History Since 1980 through the GTA Video Games.” This isn`t merely a course about video game appreciation; it`s a rigorously structured academic exploration, utilizing the acclaimed Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series as an unconventional, yet potent, framework to dissect pivotal moments in recent American history.
At the helm of this innovative course is history professor Tore Olsson, whose vision extends beyond the pixelated confines of the game world. Olsson`s objective is clear: to illuminate how popular culture, even in its most controversial forms, can profoundly shape our understanding of the real world. Much like Ghost of Tsushima might offer a lens into feudal Japan, GTA serves as a vivid, albeit exaggerated, mirror reflecting various facets of modern American society, politics, and culture.
“The class is much more about American history than the games themselves, but GTA provides the framework that structures our exploration of the past,” Olsson stated. “My hope is that after the class, students will never look at these games, or modern America, the same again.”
It`s a bold pedagogical move, one that implicitly acknowledges the pervasive influence of video games on contemporary consciousness. One might even detect a hint of academic irony: a franchise often lambasted for its depiction of crime and societal transgression is now being enlisted to foster critical thinking about the very society it satirizes.
San Andreas and the Echoes of `92: History Through a Digital Lens
Among the various installments in the GTA saga, Professor Olsson holds particular enthusiasm for utilizing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Set in a fictionalized Los Angeles, the game`s narrative elements and urban turmoil offer an immediate, if virtual, connection to one of the most significant and often misunderstood turning points in contemporary U.S. history: the Los Angeles Riots of April and May 1992.
The game`s depiction of civil unrest, gang warfare, and systemic issues, while fictionalized, provides a tangible starting point for students to grapple with the complex socio-economic and racial dynamics that led to such a violent convulsion. “Explaining the origins and meaning of this violent convulsion is a key goal of my class,” Olsson explained. By immersing students, even vicariously, in these settings, the course aims to foster a deeper, more empathetic understanding of historical events than traditional textbooks might achieve alone.
Beyond the Controller: Accessibility and Academic Precedent
Recognizing that not all students may own or wish to purchase the games, Professor Olsson has ensured that playing GTA is not a prerequisite for the course. Instead, gameplay will be showcased during class sessions, removing any potential financial burden and allowing the focus to remain squarely on historical analysis. This practical consideration underscores the course`s commitment to inclusive learning while still harnessing the power of interactive media.
While Wilfred Laurier University in Canada previously offered a GTA-related course, Olsson`s “Grand Theft America” is believed to be the first of its kind with a dedicated history focus. This trailblazing effort is not an isolated incident for Professor Olsson, who previously integrated the Red Dead Redemption series into a history class to explore the American West between 1899 and 1911. Such precedents highlight a growing recognition within academia of video games as legitimate and valuable tools for historical inquiry.
The Road Ahead: GTA 6 and the Future of Immersive Learning
Looking to the future, the class was reportedly planned to incorporate the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, a game that Rockstar Games themselves believe will have the “largest game launch in history.” While the game`s release has been delayed to May 26, 2026, its colossal cultural footprint and projected impact on the gaming industry—dubbed by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella as potentially “the most important release ever for the game industry overall”—only reinforce the relevance of using such a franchise as a touchstone for contemporary studies.
The “Grand Theft America” course at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, represents more than just a novel curriculum; it symbolizes a broader shift in how educational institutions are engaging with modern media. It`s a testament to the idea that even the most unexpected cultural artifacts can serve as powerful conduits for understanding our complex past and present, offering students a vibrant, engaging, and undeniably unique path to historical enlightenment.
Gareth Fenton 
Ellis Thorne