History 7B: Undergraduates Explore Bancroft Collections
Once a year, over six hundred undergraduates descend on the UC Berkeley library, hunting for primary sources. Professor Leon Litwack's History 7B course, "United States History from the Civil War to the Present," gives them the opportunity to do their own historical investigations, guided by assignments from graduate student instructors.
Students soon experienced the difference between the Bancroft and other campus libraries when they placed their backpacks in lockers and registered at the front desk. One student responded that having to sign in made her feel "like I was a potential criminal, but I know it is for the protection of the material."
Students seemed a little disappointed that the room looked so mundane—no piles of musty books or dim lighting. Patrick Sharma, a freshman researching Mexican-American immigration in the 1930s-1940s, said, "For its magnitude as a research library, the actual size of the Bancroft work area seemed small. I guess it's the academic equivalent of seeing an NBA basketball court on TV and then seeing how relatively small it appears in person."
When senior Yasmin Golan first used the Bancroft for a history class, she was surprised to discover that her request brought her "a huge book of Richmond City Planning from the 1930s which must have been 3x4 feet. When the librarian brought it to my table, everyone stared. I was so embarrassed by my find, I blushed."
Yet despite the fact that reality did not always correspond to expectations, the students began to have fun once they had sources in hand. Freshman Hung-tzu Lin researched Helen Hunt Jackson's work with native Americans: "when I held an original letter for the first time, it was thrilling beyond belief knowing that it was the same piece of paper the author once held in her hand."
Leon Litwack, Alexander F. and May T. Morrison Professor of American History |
Working in the Bancroft with old documents gave many a sense of respect for the material. "Just the environment in The Bancroft Library made me handle the archives more carefully…than with any other books. It made me feel good that I have the privilege to deal with some very old historical records," freshman Lidia Mai said after studying documents related to lynching of African-Americans. Freshman Maggie Nguyen's research of Chinese immigrants on Angel Island led her to "personal letters of normal people. For example, this guy was writing to his sister on the East Coast, discussing the Chinese Exclusion Act. I was surprised how these letters could be obtained by the library," she said. While using annual reports of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, freshman Lynda Phan saw "very dedicated people" and got a sense of "the work required in doing intensive research." |
Freshman Kavita Goswamy said after the experience of writing about interracial marriages between Asian-American field laborers, "I now have so much respect for the textbooks that we read that talk about the primary source letters, newspaper articles, songs, and/or interviews the author unearthed. Really, it's a remarkable feat."
The History 7B students left the Bancroft with renewed respect not only for the work of professional historians but also for the work of the staff people at the Bancroft. Sharma spoke for many others when he offered "thanks to staff for their patience and assistance."
—Ellen L. Berg,
Graduate Student Instructor, History 7B
Volume 119
Fall 2001
Table of Contents
History 7B: Undergrads Explore Bancroft Collections
The Annual Meeting of the Friends
Librarians Celebrate Oral History Series
New Mark Twain Letters — Again
The Bancroft Library Donors 2000-2001
