University Libraries

The University of North Texas Special Collections invites applications for the 2020 Special Collections Coursework Development Grant. We are interested in partnering with faculty to develop assignments for Fall 2020 courses that will utilize materials held by Special Collections. Special Collections is especially interested in exploring opportunities to collaborate with teaching faculty in the STEM disciplines. Due to uncertainty concerning the novel coronavirus outbreak's impact on the Fall semester, we are limiting grants this year to projects that utilize digitized materials from one of Special Collections’ 116+ digital collections. Assignments must be able to be completed online or in a virtual environment. Due to limited seating capacity in the Special Collections Reading Room, applicants should plan for any consultations with Special Collections’ staff in correlation with the assignment(s) (i.e. student consultations for research assistance) to take place virtually so as to comply with social distancing measures. Read descriptions of projects from the grant’s inaugural year.

Activities and assignments eligible for this grant may include, but are not limited to:

• Bibliographic description
• Document or photograph analysis
• Creative writing exercises
• Creation of digital exhibits and websites
• Documentary film-making

Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2020. The successful projects will be announced by July 10, 2020.

To apply, please submit your draft course syllabus and a 1,000 word maximum statement that details:

• What specific collection(s) held by UNT Special Collections you are interested in using
• How a collaboration with Special Collections would enhance your course
• The assignment you are proposing
• The expected learning outcomes for the assignment

Applications should be emailed to Julie Judkins by Friday, June 30, 2020.

Two grants of $500 each will be awarded. Funds will be made available as research and professional development funding. This funding may be expensed for research (books, supplies) and professional development (conferences, seminars, travel, etc.)

Awardees will be required to meet with Special Collections staff in advance of the Fall semester to coordinate their coursework activity. If social distancing measures are still in place, this meeting will take place either by phone or Zoom.

Please contact specialcollections@unt.edu with any questions or for assistance locating relevant materials for your desired project.

• Some notable collections to consider:
• NBC 5/KXAS news archive
• UNT University Photography Collection
• Denton Fracking Referendum Collection
• Photography:
  • Byrd Williams Photography Collection
  • Clark Family Photography Collection
  • Mildred Schaeffer Zichner Photography Collection
  • John Rogers and Georgette de Bruchard Collection
• The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Records
• LGBTQ Archives, including but not limited to:
  • Dennis Vercher Collection
  • The Dallas Metroplex Chapter of the Names Project Foundation Collection
  • Dallas Voice Newspaper
  • Mica England Collection
• The Civil War and Its Aftermath: Diverse Perspectives
• UNT Center for Media Production Collection
• Denton Chamber of Commerce Collection
• Robert Ray Vaughn Sunday School Artwork
• Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution

The Coursework Development Grant is supported by the Toulouse Archival Research Program Endowment.