3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Upper Division
This seminar will introduce students to the exciting world of rare books and the endless research possibilities they provide. This course will take a critical lens to the history of rare books, the history of book collecting and book dealing, cataloguing practices, provenance and ownership, and how all of this informs one's research in the field. We will cover the many methods necessary in understanding and successfully researching rare books primarily published between the 15th and 19th centuries. Students will engage with multiple rare books from the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections as part of in-class activities and assignments. Applying what they learn from reading and discussion to real-life examples will create hands-on, active-learning experiences that will enhance their own critical thinking skills when researching a rare book.
Learning Outcomes1Identify and accurately describe the characteristics of rare books according to best practices and standards.
2Connect rare-book research to their own major or areas of interest successfully.
3Analyze historical methods of rare book description and collection.
4Articulate the benefits and drawbacks of using digitized texts for research.
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