Honors 190:
Saints and Scholars, Poets and Politicians:  
An Introduction to the KU Irish Collections

Spring 2007
Mondays, 2-3:45 pm
Spencer Research Library 326

Professor Kathryn Conrad
Office hours:  202 Nunemaker, Tuesdays 1-3 pm; other days & times by appointment
Office phone: 4-3314
E-mail (best way to reach me): kconrad @ ku.edu
Course website:  http://people.ku.edu/~kconrad/190s07.html
Blackboard website: https://courseware.ku.edu/webapps/login/?campus_id=1

Course description:

The University of Kansas has one of the best special collections in Irish materials in the country, including first editions of Yeats and Joyce, political and historical pamphlets, broadsides from the Cuala and Dun Emer presses, nationalist newspapers, and much more. This course will both provide background in the historical, political, and cultural contexts of the core of the Irish collections—the late 19th and early 20th century, often called the "Irish Renaissance"—and allow students hands-on experience with the collections. We will also discuss the value of rare book collections. What is it that is so compelling about direct contact with rare materials? What kinds of intellectual work can be done in such a collection? What is the place of the research library in the university? What is the future of rare books and ephemera in a digital age?

We will explore these issues together and use the Spencer collection for our primary texts and discussion; although I will choose the primary texts to discuss, you will also be able to provide suggestions for texts you'd like to see each week. You will also have the opportunity to pursue your own research in the collections, which you will present on the last day of class. You will be responsible for a written version of your research (5 pages) and an annotated bibliography of five items from the collection, also due on the last day of class.  You will also be responsible for presenting a summary of an article on the topic of archives/special collections.  Your grade will be based on these assignments and on attendance and class participation.  We will also participate in the Honors Tutorial Symposium, which will be held at the end of the semester.

• The Kenneth Spencer Research Library: http://spencer.lib.ku.edu/
• Students with Disabilities: The staff of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), 135 Strong (Lawrence), 785-864-2620 (v/tty), coordinates accommodations and services for KU courses. If you have a disability for which you may request accommodation in KU classes and have not contacted them, please do as soon as possible. Please also see me privately in regard to this course (Adopted from SSD statement).
• Writing Center:  Most colleges and universities have a writing center, a place for students to talk about their writing with trained peer consultants. At KU, we call our writing centers Writer's Roosts.  When you visit, bring your work in progress and an idea of what you would like to work on-organization, support, documentation, editing, etc.  The Roosts are open in several different locations across campus; please check the website at http://www.writing.ku.edu/ for current locations and hours. The Roosts welcome both drop-ins and appointments, and there is no charge for their services. For more information, please call 864-2399 or send an e-mail to writing@ku.edu (Adopted from Writing Center Statement).
• Weather cancellations:  Call 864-SNOW to discover whether classes have been cancelled by the University due to inclement weather.

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Schedule

• January 22: General introduction to the Spencer....registration....course overview....introductions.

Sampling of Irish materials (19th c and earlier).

• January 29: Introduction to the Irish collections with Rick Clement....introduction to the Irish renaissance (literature, culture, politics).

19th-century materials.

• February 5: The Irish literary renaissance.

Selected Yeats, Joyce, Cuala Press, and Abbey Theatre materials.

• February 12: Irish politics.

• February 19: Research day.
  
  Use class time to pursue your project.
  

• February 26: Undiscovered country: uncatalogued treasures.
  
  Selected political pamphlets, Henderson scrapbooks, and file folders.

• March 5: Presentations.  Written work due.
  

• TBA:  Honors tutorial symposium.

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