25. The American Book in the Industrial Era: 1820-1914

17-21 July 1995

This course will explore manufacturing methods, distribution networks, and publishing patterns introduced in the United States during the industrial era. A major part of the course will consist of small, supervised laboratory sessions in which students will examine, analyze, and describe books produced during the period. The course will also introduce students to bibliographical practice and conventions as they apply to these books.

1. How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: I found them very useful, if confusing at times, as a newcomer to the discipline. It was unfortunate that the revised list was not distributed before class. 2: Instructor indicated that we were sent the wrong reading list. Compared to the revised list he handed out in class, the original list of pre-course readings set a different tone for the course. I felt that, overall, the pre-course readings were very essential. 3: Our class was mailed the wrong pre-course reading list. This wasn't a huge problem (there was a lot of overlap in the readings), but it was nonetheless an unfortunate mistake. The readings were useful and I will forever more use the assigned texts as reference tools. 4: We were sent the wrong list. Based on the list received, the readings were good, although not exactly always riveting. The assignment was good and very helpful in making me think about the value/applicability of various bibliographic approaches. They did, however, make me a bit nervous about the overall content of the course. I feared I might have gotten into a bibliography course, which wouldn't have been what I wanted.


2. Did your instructor prepare sufficiently to teach THIS course? Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class useful?

1: Yes, especially for the bibliography (I'm eager to get started on it). 2: Yes -- do appreciate the bibliography handed out. It will prove useful. 3: The bibliography, like the pre-course reading list, will be an invaluable tool for me. Other handouts were also helpful and unique in terms of other courses I've had. 4: The syllabus was well thought out and the reading list complete. I especially appreciate the latter. I also enjoyed being able to see copies of germane books.

3. Was the intellectual level of the course content appropriate?

1-2: Yes. 3: Yes. There were disciplinary boundaries in the classroom that proved both interesting and challenging in terms of class discussion. 4: Yes.

4. If your course had field trips, were they effective?

1: Absolutely. These trips were among the highlights of the week for me. 2: Yes. 3: Yes. We visited the Lucile exhibit and looked at many volumes of Leaves of Grass in Special Collections. This kind of hands-on experience with primary resources was a first for me and very enlightening. 4: We visited Lucile in the Rotunda. It was a bit overwhelming, but interesting and appropriate to what we were studying. We also went to Special Collections. The discussion based around Leaves of Grass was enhanced by having the various incarnations of it on hand to look at.

5. Did the actual course content correspond to its RBS brochure description and Expanded Course Description? Did the course in general meet your expectations?

1: Yes, in fact the course exceeded my expectations, was richer in its coverage of the c19 processes than the brochure's description had led me to expect. 2: Yes. 3: The course description was a bit misleading, I now think. I was more interested in taking a course with MW than I was in the material, so I didn't pay too much attention to the descriptions. But, in hindsight, the course was more about book production, distribution, &c., than about bibliography; the latter is mentioned in the descriptions, while the others are only implied. 4: I can't remember the course description, but it was good enough to entice me when what I really wanted to take was Lithography or Papermaking. I'm very pleased I chose this course. It was just what I needed.

6. What did you like best about the course?

1: I very much liked the relaxed give-and-take nature of the class, the mixture of anecdotes, discussion, and straight lecture was engaging and thought-provoking. It was well-paced, but flexible. [I especially liked] the Whitman field trip [and the] discussion of southeast Asian printing history, especially its Thai aspects. 2: Discussion of early printing in Thailand. 3: Discussion of early printing history in Thailand. Would like to learn more! How about an evening lecture next summer (an inside class joke). Seriously speaking, I was thrilled just to soak up anything MW had to say. His knowledge is vast and in areas in which the faculty at my home institution are lacking. 4: The size of the class. The breadth of the instructor's knowledge. That there was an array of representative books to look at in the classroom, to be used to compare texts, as resource texts. That the instructor used anecdotes from his experience to illustrate points, eg, the c19 bindery with slides and the early printing history in Thailand.

7. How could the course have been improved?

1: I would have enjoyed (even) more supervised hands-on work with the books of the period. I think the time scheduled for labs should be a bit more structured and/or students advised before the course begins to bring a project. 2: More time [:)]. Enjoyed the course immensely! 3: The course was wonderful. I really can't imagine how it could have been any better. I learned more in one week that I have in one semester of graduate school!

8. Any final thoughts?

1: I thought it was excellent, a good survey course, in which I learned a great deal about the hand press era as well as the c19. I enjoyed myself thoroughly; in fact, not a dull moment for me. And although I intended at the onset that this trip to RBS be my first and only (a fun excursion), I'm already trying to decide what I want to take next year! I'm tired, but hate to see the week end. 2: I would encourage future participants to do the reading and definitely bring ideas and/or projects or problems to class. I was not focussed on precise issues, but learned a tremendous amount in many areas. I would recommend the course to anybody interested in c19 American books. I enjoyed hearing different perspectives on issues and appreciated my exposure to the use of various resources, &c. 3: This is a great survey class for anyone who needs an overview of the Industrial Era in America. Just get plenty of rest before you arrive. RBS is exhilarating, but also exhausting! I can't wait until next year! 4: Rewrite the course description for this course. It's really an overview of the impact of technological changes in the Industrial Era on all aspects of books from production to distribution. Ditch the references to British books and the emphasis on bibliography.

Number of respondents: 4

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