Beginning in January, college students on the College of Tennessee in Knoxville can take an American historical past class targeted on the Grand Theft Auto sequence. The course was reportedly deliberate to incorporate GTA 6 earlier than it was delayed to Might 26, 2026.
IGN spoke with historical past professor Tore Olsson in regards to the class that is formally known as Grand Theft America: US History Since 1980 by way of the GTA Video Video games. The instructor mentioned how well-liked video video games can mildew our real-world views, like Ghost of Tsushima with feudal Japan. With that in thoughts, “the category is way more about American historical past than the video games themselves, however GTA offers the framework that buildings our exploration of the previous,” Olsson mentioned. “My hope is that after the category, college students won’t ever have a look at these video games, or trendy America, the identical once more.”
Olsson is “maybe most excited to make use of San Andreas” as a instructing instrument from the GTA sequence, because it’s set in a fictional Los Angeles. “It is in all probability apparent to many who this drama is an allusion to the LA Riots of April and Might 1992, one of the important turning factors in modern U.S. historical past, but in addition one that’s broadly misunderstood,” the professor mentioned. “Explaining the origins and that means of this violent convulsion is a key aim of my class.”
All of that mentioned, truly enjoying the GTA video games is not required for the historical past course. Olsson would not need to put that monetary burden on college students and as a substitute will showcase gameplay throughout classtime. The professor additionally believes this faculty course is the primary of its variety, with solely Wilfred Laurier University in Canada offering a GTA-related class earlier than (although not history-focused).
This is not Olsson’s first time using a preferred recreation franchise for a historical past class. The truth is, the professor used the Crimson Useless Redemption sequence to sort out US historical past between 1899-1911 beforehand.
Trying forward, Rockstar believes GTA 6 could have the “largest recreation launch in historical past,” which is not far-fetched. The truth is, final yr, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella famous GTA 6 may very well be an important launch ever for the sport trade total. For extra, try all the pieces we learn about GTA 6.