Archiving Historias Through Games

Interested in learning about Puerto Rico while enjoying board games? This class will explore key historical and cultural aspects of Puerto Rico through the creation and conceptualization of board games. We will revisit pivotal moments in Puerto Rican history, both on the islands and within the diaspora, while fostering a sense of community among our peers through engaging educational games and activities.

 

In addition to this historical overview and community-building component, we will brainstorm and develop group activities and games to present and reexamine essential facets of your cultural history with your fellow classmates. Following a brief discussion on the significance of creative archiving techniques, you will participate in a series of cultural and historically themed board games, including ‘Memorias: A Collective Memory Game’ and ‘Guess Who’s That Boricua?’ 

 

On the final day of the class, we will enjoy a board game day, during which we will pilot our game ideas with each other and collect feedback for future improvements. You are welcome to experiment with your own materials during the creation phase of the class, although some materials will be provided, such as construction paper, cardboard, markers, writing utensils, paint, and more.

 

By the end of the class, you will leave with a prototype of a game that creatively archives aspects of your own cultural identity and have a deeper understanding of several important events that have shaped the Puerto Rican community.