Course support

Our staff collaborates with instructors to support students' experiential learning through the use of our collection of rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts.

About course support

We work with instructors to:

  • identify materials from the collection relevant to course content
  • develop class assignments, projects, or activities that use the materials and connect with course objectives
  • conduct a variety of instruction sessions ranging from a general introduction to in-depth presentations on specific materials

Course sessions can:

  • be single sessions or multiple sessions that build on each other
  • take up the entire class period or be for only part of a class period
  • be online via zoom or in person
  • be for any number of students

Our partnership with instructors lets students work with texts, historical images, manuscripts, and objects. Hands-on exercises and discussion help students analyze key curricular concepts, and address material culture and historiography in order to develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Disciplines that use the collections include:

  • anatomy and physiology
  • art and design
  • English, rhetoric, and communications
  • history and art history
  • French, Spanish, and Latin
  • history of science, technology, and medicine

These services are free to all UMN faculty, staff, and students. We also work with non-university groups, such as local higher educational institutions, K-12 classes, and community organizations.

Please note:

  • instructors must meet with curators in person or virtually prior to the class session
  • instructors and/or TAs must be present at the class session
  • we require 2 weeks notice to schedule a class session

Request course support

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