It's not just Genshin Impact that's penetrating the education system.
Recently, Grand Theft Auto fans were drawn to an unusual announcement. A special course has been created in the US dedicated to studying the history of the country since 1980 — through Rockstar Games.
At the University of Tennessee, it will be taught by Professor Tore Olsson. The focus will be on the history of the United States, and GTA will serve as the basis for studying the past:
"...I use this world as a basis for a serious history course that examines real events in the US over the past half-century. The course is much more about American history than the games themselves, but GTA sets the framework that structures our study of the past. I hope that after the classes, students will never look at these games or modern America with the same eyes."
The professor noted that games are now perceived differently — they have gone the same way as other forms of pop culture:
"Someone may be surprised or even shocked by the information that there is a course in an educational institution based on the plot of a video game, especially this franchise. However, video games have now emerged from a marginal state into the mainstream. Other forms of pop culture have already gone the same way. 50 years ago, it would have been unthinkable to find a course on "The History of Rock and Roll" in a college or university because of the daring and risky reputation of this music. Today, this course is one of the most popular in my educational institution. Perhaps in a generation, we will see many more courses based on the digital plot of games."
Olsson specifically highlighted GTA San Andreas, the events of which unfold in a fictional version of Los Angeles — it shows a reference to the very real riots in the city in 1992. This is "one of the most significant turning points in modern US history, which, however, is not widely understood."
