Basic Studies records
00.BS

Summary Information

Repository
Eastern Michigan University Archives
Title
Basic Studies records
ID
00.BS
Date [inclusive]
1971-2002
Extent
1.0 Linear feet 1 record center carton
Language
English
Abstract
The Basic Studies curriculum is required of all undergraduates. In its current form, it is divided into four areas : I. Symbolics and Communication -- II. Science and Technology -- III. Social Science -- IV. Arts and Humanities. This curriculum has gone through several major reforms, particularly in 1985-1988 and 2001-2002. The  Basic Studies collection consists of 1 record center carton containing three series relating to the curriculum of basic studies for undergraduates, as well as the formation and activities of the Basic Studies Committee. The bulk of the material relates to major reforms in the curriculum, specifically from 1985-1988 and 2001-2002. The records include meeting minutes, department correspondence, clippings and news releases, committee proposals, evaluative studies, and published undergraduate catalogues. All files are arranged chronologically.

Preferred Citation note

Please cite materials from the University Archives in the following manner: Item. Collection Title. Eastern Michigan University Archives.

Return to Table of Contents »

Administrative History

The Basic Studies curriculum is required of all undergraduates at Eastern Michigan University. In its current form, it is divided into four areas : I. Symbolics and Communication -- II. Science and Technology -- III. Social Science -- IV. Arts and Humanities.

The basic studies curriculum has gone through several major reforms; in 1985-1987 a committee consisting of faculty and administrators across the University met to make changes to the curriculum. These changes took effect in 1989-1990, and changed the requirements from 13 courses in four general areas to 16 courses in three areas, including a new emphasis in cross-cultural or international studies. The reformed stated purpose of the basic studies program was to provide students with "a core of knowledge about people, things and processes."

The basic studies committee continued to meet after the implementation of the new curriculum in order to provide oversight of the program. In 2001, a program called Advising Advocates was launched in order to assist freshmen and sophomore students meet the undergraduate requirements of basic studies and was overseen by Basic Studies.

Return to Table of Contents »

Scope and Contents

The Basic Studies collection consists of 1 record center carton containing three series relating to the curriculum of basic studies for undergraduates, as well as the formation and activities of the Basic Studies Committee. The bulk of the material relates to major reforms in the curriculum, specifically from 1985-1988 and 2001-2002. The records include meeting minutes, department correspondence, clippings and news releases, committee proposals, evaluative studies, and published undergraduate catalogues.

The collection has been divided into three series : Basic Studies Reforms,  Basic Studies Committee, and  Publications and Communications. The Committee series has a subseries of materials from 1985-1987 that were previously bound in three-ring binders and which detail committee activities; these have been labeled by the creators as "volumes" 1-5. The collection does not include volume 2. All files are arranged chronologically.

Return to Table of Contents »

Administrative Information

Publication Information

Eastern Michigan University Archives 2012 January 12

Halle Library, Room 310
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
734-487-0020

Revision Description

 Re-processed and re-foldered collection, imported to AT, created accession number/record, added instances, barcoded and labelled box. 2012 January 20

Conditions Governing Access note

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Return to Table of Contents »

Controlled Access Headings

Subject(s)

  • Administrations
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Eastern Michigan University. Division of Academic Affairs
  • Undergraduate
  • University degrees

Return to Table of Contents »

Collection Inventory

Basic Studies reforms 1985-2002 

Clippings & news releases 1985-2001  (Bulk, 1985-1998)


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 1

General reform 2002 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 2

Return to Table of Contents »

Basic Studies Committee 1971-1987 

 1971-1978 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 3-6

 1979 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 7-9

 1980 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 10

 1985-1987 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 11

Miscellaneous 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 12-14

Basic Studies Committee Binders 1985-1987 

Vol.1 1985-1987 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 15-18

Vol.3 1985-1987 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 19-20

Vol.4 1985-1987 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 21

Vol.5 1985-1987 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 22-23

Return to Table of Contents »

Publications & communications 1972-1998 

 1972-1988 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 24

1988-1998 1988-1998 


    Box Folder
Mixed materials (32307023987754)   1 25

Return to Table of Contents »