Penn State Student to Teach Guess Who Philosophy Course
A new philosophy seminar will explore identity and representation using the classic board game in Spring 2027.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Board Games
Live Poll
Should universities allow students to create and teach official credit-bearing courses on elective topics?
Penn State student Reyna Gowie is launching a new philosophy course titled Guess Who? Identity, Recognition, and Representation for the Spring 2027 semester. The seminar, which meets in the Ferguson Building, encourages students to examine personal identity through a discussion-based format.
Why it matters
The course aims to provide a unique framework for students to explore complex concepts of identity and connection. By utilizing a familiar board game as a foundational tool, the curriculum offers an alternative to traditional examination-heavy academic structures.
The course PHIL 197-002 will meet on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Ferguson Building 202. There are 20 total seats available for interested students.
The players
Reyna Gowie
She is the president of the Students Teaching Students program at Penn State and the instructor of the new course.
Students Teaching Students
This university organization facilitates peer-led academic courses and has offered 58 classes since its inception in 2019.
The details
Developed over more than one year, the curriculum requires approval from faculty and leadership within the Students Teaching Students program. The class departs from conventional exam-based grading, opting instead for a seminar format centered on discussion.
Timeline
Students Teaching Students was founded in 2019.
The course begins instruction in Spring 2027.
Proposals for fall 2027 courses are due October 30.
Culture Shift
This course follows the established pattern of the Students Teaching Students program, which allows students to design and teach specialized seminars that satisfy university standards. It reflects a growing trend in higher education toward peer-led and experiential learning models.
Students at Penn State can register for the course through LionPATH to secure one of the 20 available spots. The seminar format requires active participation in weekly discussions held in the Ferguson Building.
The takeaway
This course demonstrates how familiar recreational tools can be repurposed to facilitate deep academic inquiry into social constructs. Students looking to replicate this success can engage with their university's student-led teaching initiatives to develop their own specialized curricula.
What happens next
Prospective instructors must submit their proposals for the fall 2027 semester by October 30.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of gaming and education, visit the Board Games section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Onward State.
Live Poll
Should universities allow students to create and teach official credit-bearing courses on elective topics?
