Classroom Instruction

The University of Minnesota Archives welcomes faculty and staff to contact us about incorporating our expertise and resources into their instruction plan. We work with instructors to design assignments and create active learning exercises that encourage the research use of primary materials. Customized presentations on specific topics and based on original primary sources introduce undergraduate and graduate students to original research materials. A general orientation to finding and using resources is included.

Primary source documents can inspire as well as teach students to identify, define and solve problems by locating and critically evaluating information. Students learn to verify sources, track down connections, and find evidence from content and physical clues. Integrating research methodology and archival resources into assignments enhances student learning and fulfills student outcomes. Students learn to communicate effectively and understand the role of creativity, innovation, and discovery across disciplines. We have rich documentary sources, many of which have not been researched. Your students could make important discoveries!

Recent class sessions have included:

• History 3001. Public History
• History 3837. Minnesota History
• English 3090. English Literature (joint session with SWHA)
• History of Medicine 3040. Human Health, Disease and the Environment in History.
• History of Science 8113. Research Methods (joint session with CBI and SWHA)

We are happy to partner with our colleagues in the Archives and Special Collections division in the Andersen Library to hold joint sessions to introduce students to primary and secondary sources.

Requesting a presentation

Staff can give a presentation in your classroom, or classes can be held on-site in the Elmer Andersen Libraries conference suites. The suites can easily accommodate presentations for groups of 10 to 60 people. Communicating with the instructors enables the Archives' staff to prepare materials ahead of time, understand the process behind the assignments and enhance the research work of the students. Advance arrangements and consultations are required for class visits and major classroom research assignments. Contact the University Archives at least two weeks in advance to schedule a visit. Please provide your contact information, the proposed date and time of your visit, number of students, and background about your class.