Seminar: American Civilization on the American Broadcasting Network records, 1952-1953

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.:
UA#0192
Bib ID:
9698514 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
American Broadcasting Network. Public Affairs Department
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
.42 linear feet (1 document box)
Language(s):
Material is in English.
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

Thirty-three transcripts from the network broadcast of Seminar in 1952-1953.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series of scripts in order to easily distinguish between the first and second part of the semester.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the American Broadcasting Company. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Seminar: American Civilization on the American Broadcasting Network records; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Accrual

No additions are expected

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Pamela Peterson. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--2011.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed Susan Hamson 2012.

Finding aid written Susan Hamson 2012.

Revision Description

2012-09-26 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

In 1952, the Communications Materials Center of Columbia University Press and the American Broadcasting Network collaborated on a public service series that was one of 300 television classes offered to the general public. Franklin Dunham, Chief of Radio of the U.S. Department of Education, spearheaded the effort which included 80 colleges and universities, and 30 public and parochial schools throughout the United State of America. Seminar was patterned on the American Civilization course which studied the factors contributing to American civilization through the reading of great books. Viewers purchased a syllabus from Columbia University's School of General Studies for twenty-five cents and, over the course of semester, followed Professor Bigelow and his students as they discussed specific topics each week. Over three hundred students wrote for the booklet for the course that ran from October 1952 through May 1953. Though no credit was given to television viewers for the course, participants did have the option of requesting an exam--which would be graded free of charge. Western Reserve College in Cleveland, Ohio estimated that television-taught students scored 20%- 25 % higher than matriculated seminar participants. There are no statistics for the Columbia course.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Name
American Broadcasting Company CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Bigelow, Donald N (Donald Nevius) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Columbia University CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Place
America -- Civilization CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID