Experiential Learning in the Archives: Case Studies in Digital Humanities Pedagogy for Undergraduate Research

Abstract

This article explores experiential learning in archives and special collections as an emerging area of digital humanities pedagogy within which librarians can take a central role. The case studies presented cover a range of undergraduate research projects that incorporated active and inquiry-based learning exercises with digital archives as a pedagogical approach to digital humanities instruction. The research projects include an honors project to create an online exhibit of medieval manuscript leaves, a capstone experience in the library to explore the relationship between archives and social justice, and a course project that used the University Archives to research the University of Scranton’s Black history.