Sometimes because of the sensitivity of the subject, calling some activities “games” offends some people. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking the word “game” means trivial. Serious games can touch on serious topics and make a positive difference on social issues.
Mission US, City of Immigrants, lets students pretend they are a Jewish immigrant in New York City.
The Games for Change website has many good serious games. For example, a classroom studying immigrants could play Mission US: City of Immigrants. Kid play a Jewish Immigrant to New York. They have to navigate everyday life. Darfur is Dying is a “game” focusing on the genocide in Darfur. (Game is not usually in quotes, but I do this out of respect for the tragedies that have been happening there.)