Program Overview

LIB290 Program Details

The LIB290 program is a course that introduces students to primary source research by exploring the rich archival resources surrounding the history of Wake Forest University and the Reynolds Family.

Course Description

The course utilizes the ZSR Library's Special Collections & Archives, the Reynolda House Archives, and a vast array of online resources to teach students how to conduct research in archives. This skill is beneficial not only for their academic pursuits but also for various lifetime endeavors, as archival sources are frequently used by professionals such as attorneys, organizers, artists, writers, filmmakers, government officials, city and state planners, marketers, sociologists, economists, and data analysts.

Course Assignments

Several assignments in the course focus on how primary sources support various forms of research, whether it be online, in print, or in the form of an exhibit. Students participate in virtual visits and on-site tours, such as a virtual visit to the Original Campus and a visit to the Reynolda House Museum to see the Smith & Libby exhibit.

Final Project

The final project requires students to apply their learning to create new knowledge in the form of an exhibit using primary sources. Each student selects a person or event related to Wake Forest history, collects primary sources about their topic, and then constructs an evidence-based narrative for their viewers. The topics range from the history of Wake 'N Shake to how the School of Medicine moved to Winston-Salem.

Exhibit Display

The student-created exhibits are displayed in Room 401 of the ZSR Library, providing an opportunity for the community to engage with the students' research and learning outcomes.