College Just Got Way Better: You Can Now Take a Class on Game of Thrones

Now this is a class we'd actually go to

By Seija Rankin Apr 17, 2015 5:33 PMTags
Peter Dinklage, Game of ThronesHBO

Now this is a class we would actually wake up for!

In what we're going to deem a totally heroic move, Northern Illinois University has added a class called "Game of Thrones, Television and Medieval History." Yes, please!

The best part of the new curriculum is that it seems this course isn't just a publicity stunt to try and lure kids into the lecture hall (see: that Beyoncé class); this is a true history lesson. But it's also interesting enough to convince sleepy college students that it's worth getting out of bed for.

According to The Chicago Tribune, the class is the brainchild of one Professor Valerie Garver, who is a huge Game of Thrones fan believes that the HBO drama (and the original books by George R.R. Martin) is actually a great representation of the Middle Ages. 

"It represents aspects of the Middle Ages much more realistically than other media depictions that purport to be more accurate," she said. "It stands out because it comments on the human condition in a way that seems real to people. It's a really good example of a piece of modern culture that draws on how the past impacts the present."

The course is part of NIU's honors program (impressive!) and will include exercises like watching the show, reading the books and learning how GOT relates to current events. In other words, students will get credit (and honors credit no less) for watching a show that they love. Sign. Us. Up.

Not surprisingly, the class filled up in less than an hour, and it will be offered again next spring. Which means we have plenty of time to get in our application to NIU.

Latest News