Inventing Mexico: Maps, Manuscripts, and Materiality, 1521-1921
What is the Newberry Library Undergraduate Seminar?
The Newberry Library Undergraduate Seminar (NLUS) provides an opportunity for DePaul undergraduates to participate in an intensive seminar and produce an original research project using the world-renowned collections of the Newberry Library. This is an especially important opportunity for students considering graduate study in history or the humanities.
Up to five DePaul students will be selected to participate in this seminar along with students from UIC, Roosevelt, and Loyola universities. During the first part of the course, students investigate topics related to the seminar’s theme and work with the various types of resources that the Newberry has to offer. Then, under the guidance of the instructors and using primary sources from the Newberry, they select a topic to explore and develop into a research paper and presentation. The seminar is team-taught by instructors from different disciplines. (See below for more information on this year's instructors.)
This is a semester-long seminar that meets at the Newberry Library (Clark/Division stop on the CTA's Red line). Participating DePaul students will earn 9 hours of credit in two disciplines, enrolling in 4.5 credits during winter quarter and 4.5 credits in spring quarter. (Students must complete the semester-long course to receive credit for either quarter.) The two departments or programs in which the student earns credit for NLUS participation will be determined by the student in consultation with his or her advisor and the relevant departments or programs.
Participation in NLUS also can be used to satisfy the Liberal Studies "Experiential Learning" requirement.
DePaul applicants should go ahead and register for winter quarter as they would otherwise. They should nonetheless be prepared to drop one course and to make Tuesday and Thursday afternoons available if they are accepted into NLUS. Applicants will know by Thanksgiving if they have been accepted.
Special Note for History majors: Successful completion of the Newberry Library Undergraduate Seminar in some cases can satisfy the gateway-capstone sequence requirement for HST majors (fulfilling the equivalent of a 300-level HST course and HST 390). For further information about this possibility, please contact Prof. Tikoff at
vtikoff@depaul.edu.
The instructors are planning to host a Zoom information session for prospective NLUS applicants on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 20. Students interested in applying to the program should email Prof. Delia Cosentino (dcosent1@depaul.edu) by Monday, September 19 to request the Zoom link.
Admission to the seminar is by application, and spaces are limited.
The application deadline is October 6, 2022, 11:59 pm.
Ready to apply? Apply now!
- Written Statement: A written statement (maximum 500 words) explaining your preparation and reasons for participation in the Newberry Library seminar. You should discuss your interest in the topic , courses that you have taken and experiences that you have had that prepare you for the seminar, and the ways in which you see this seminar relating to your short-term and long-term educational and/or career plans. Please include a discussion of your experience conducting academic research.
Knowledge of Spanish language not a prerequisite for this course, but please briefly describe your Spanish proficiency, as appropriate, in your written statement. (Please also include a sentence or two addressing your familiarity with or proficiency in any other non-English languages, if applicable.) The discussion of non-English language skills will not count against the 500-word limit.
- Writing Sample: This should be a copy of a recent research paper or analytical essay (paper containing a thesis statement supported by evidence and analysis) that you have written for a college course.
- Unofficial DePaul transcript: You can print out a copy from Campus Connection.
- Brief Letter of Recommendation from Faculty Member: All applications require one letter of recommendation from a professor who is familiar with your work and can attest to your readiness to do intensive interdisciplinary study and independent library research. It should be sent to Prof. Tikoff via e-mail (to vtikoff@depaul.edu). The letter need not be long, but please give your recommender ample time to write it and submit it by the application deadline. If your recommender has any questions, please have him or her contact Valentina Tikoff at 773-325-1570, or vtikoff@depaul.edu.
The course will be taught by Drs. Delia Cosentino and Emmanuel Ortega.
Dr. Cosentino is associate professor of the history of art and architecture at DePaul University.
Dr. Ortega is assistant professor of the School of Art and Art History at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
For questions or more information
Contact Prof. Valentina Tikoff at
vtikoff@depaul.edu or
773-325-1570.