Abstract
This case study explores collaboration between archivists and instructors of first- and second-year composition classes. The authors outline how a fruitful collaboration can begin before a class is designed to allow archivists to recommend particular collections and records that can help the instructor determine specific assignments and course themes. This collaboration continues within the course through embedded instruction and one-on-one student counseling. They argue that the model overcomes barriers traditionally faced in archival instruction and utilizes inquiry-based learning techniques. Such collaborations with equal participation by archivists and faculty members have a high potential for replication and benefit archivists and instructors while producing important student learning outcomes.
TopBackground
From the beginning, there existed the potential for collaboration between UASC and composition classes because of a shared objective of exposing students to primary source use. The University Libraries’ strategic plan includes a goal to “increase the use of rare and unique materials in the undergraduate and graduate curriculum” as part of the objective of “highlighting our Catholic, Marian and university special collections and programs” (University of Dayton Libraries, n.d., p. 7). Likewise, utilization of primary resources is a central objective in the university’s humanities and English instruction. The first student learning objective outlined by the Humanities Commons, a general education curriculum, is for students to “read primary texts closely and critically” (University of Dayton Office of the Provost, n.d.). A central spot for this objective to be met is in composition courses. The English department lists the critical reading of primary texts and helping students better understand what constitutes a primary text as a course objective in English 200, the course that we discuss for our collaboration here (University of Dayton Department of English, 2021).
Key Terms in this Chapter
University Archives: Unit, usually part of the library, responsible for the collection and preservation of the permanent records of the university.
Archival Instruction: Lessons in what archives are, what kinds of resources they contain, the policies and procedures used in conducting research using their material. Can also include interaction with primary sources.
Second-Year Students: Students in their third and fourth semesters of undergraduate education.
Inquiry-Based Teaching: An approach to teaching that prioritizes student-led learning by guiding students to ask questions, design methods, conduct research, and interpret data and texts.
English Department: Academic unit that teaches skills associated with literary analysis; creative and technical writing; and theoretical, analytical, and rhetorical approaches to reading and writing.
Composition Class: Course designed to develop students’ writing abilities, understanding of written genres and audiences, and analysis of texts.
First-Year Students: Students in their first two semesters of undergraduate education.
Undergraduate Research: investigation, experimentation, or analysis conducted by undergraduate students to produce a piece of original scholarship or creative work.
Archives: 1) Entity responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible primary source material and historical records; 2) can also be used for the records and material itself.