Starting this January, students at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville will have the extraordinary opportunity to enroll in an American history class that uses the iconic Grand Theft Auto series as its primary lens. This innovative course was reportedly planned to include the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, though its release has since been postponed to May 26, 2026.
History professor Tore Olsson, in an interview, elaborated on the curriculum, officially titled ‘Grand Theft America: US History Since 1980 through the GTA Video Games.’ Olsson highlighted the profound impact popular video games can have on shaping our understanding of real-world historical events, citing examples like Ghost of Tsushima and feudal Japan. He emphasized that while the games provide the structural framework, the class is fundamentally about delving into American history. His aspiration is for students to emerge with a fresh perspective on both the GTA series and contemporary America.
A notable segment of the class will utilize Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas as a teaching instrument. Set in a fictionalized Los Angeles, the game’s dramatic events serve as a direct parallel to the Los Angeles Riots of April and May 1992—a pivotal, yet often misunderstood, period in modern U.S. history. Unpacking the origins and significance of this tumultuous period is a core objective of the course.
Crucially, students are not required to own or play the Grand Theft Auto games outside of class. Professor Olsson aims to alleviate any potential financial burden by showcasing gameplay demonstrations during lectures. He believes this college course is groundbreaking, with only one other GTA-themed class (not history-focused) previously offered at Wilfred Laurier University in Canada.
This isn’t Professor Olsson’s first venture into leveraging gaming franchises for educational purposes. He previously taught a U.S. history course from 1899-1911 using the immersive world of the Red Dead Redemption series.
Looking to the future, Rockstar Games anticipates that Grand Theft Auto 6 will achieve the ‘largest game launch in history,’ a prediction that isn’t considered outlandish by industry experts. Last year, a leading analyst noted that GTA 6 could be the most significant game release in the entire history of the gaming industry.
For additional context, an official trailer, ‘GTA 6 (Grand Theft Auto VI) – Official Release Date Reveal | Trailer 2,’ is available. Furthermore, an image gallery showcases ‘The Best And Wildest Grand Theft Auto 6 Theories We’ve Seen So Far,’ offering a glimpse into fan speculation and potential aspects of the upcoming title.