Guide to the Department of History Records, 1903-2018
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Department of History Records, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
The George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, like all archives and special collections libraries, is the creation of human beings who have collected, organized, and described things in ways that reflect personal, cultural, societal, and institutional biases. Although we strive to preserve and present collections in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections, we acknowledge that our systems are neither neutral nor perfect. We encourage you to let us know if you encounter materials, descriptive language, or practices that are offensive or harmful, particularly those for which inadequate context or warning is offered. We are committed to modifying and updating our descriptive practices to use respectful and inclusive terminology and appreciate your help in this work. We look forward to supporting you in your research and learning together.
History was formally recognized as an academic subject at Bowdoin in 1878 when the Boards asked the faculty to prepare a course of reading in United States History and give the students an examination at the end of the year. The following year President Chamberlain reported the coursework was not sufficient and taught classes in history himself. With Chamberlain's resignation and at the request of students, the Boards appointed Professor Charles H. Smith, Professor of History and Political Science, a professorship which included Economics. In 1894 at the urging of President Hyde, a separate professorship was established for Economics and Sociology. History continued to be combined with Political Science until the 1915-1916 academic year, when the course of instruction was referred to as History and Government in the annual catalogue. Beginning with the 1936-1937 academic year the annual catalogue shows the separation of History and Government into two distinct departments.
Records of the Department of History including a Visiting Committee report, memorandums, miscellaneous examinations, and syllabi.
Departmental records such as lecture announcements, memorandums to faculty and history majors, and records from 1983-1985 of the Walter D. Love Prize in History Committee. In addition there are miscellaneous examinations and records concerning Roger Howell's memorial service and posthumous publication of Roger Howell's writings.
Arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.
Curriculum, 1962
Department of History Visiting Committee, 1967-1968 (Paul Nyhus records)
Departmental records - miscellaneous, 1971-1992, undated
Examinations - miscellaneous, 1933-1965, undated
Honors history theses directed by Roger Howell, 1965-1989 (Paul Nyhus records)
Roger Howell celebration, 1990-1996, undated (Paul Nyhus records)
Roger Howell memorial, 1989-1993, undated (Paul Nyhus records)
Roger Richardson correspondence, 1990-1995, undated (Paul Nyhus records)
Required readings for Bowdoin History courses, 1903-1907 and notes regarding the Class of 1875 Prize essays, 1903-1920. There are also syllabi with course outlines, assignments and readings.
Arranged chronologically.
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1903-1920 Notices and Readings in History Courses, 1903-1907 [taught by Professors A.S.P. Dennis, Roberts and Johnson] with notes of Class of 1875 Prize winners through 1920
1954-1958, undated, Notices, readings and syllabi
1963-1968, undated, Notices, readings and syllabi
1973-1975, undated, Notices, readings and syllabi
1988, syllabus and readings for History 246, Women in American History
1990, syllabus for History 207, Palaces, Politics, and Art
2016-