Teaching with TUSC

The Research Services Instruction Team is excited to introduce the Tulane community to TUSC and primary source research. TUSC staff collaborate with instructors to create engaging learning experiences supported by our collections. 

We offer synchronous and asynchronous sessions, activities, and assignments using digitized materials to meet a wide range of learning goals. 

Our teaching practice is guided by the following objectives: 

• Support primary source learning and archival, visual, and digital literacy through interactive, hands-on experiences that empower students as researchers and storytellers.
• Foster curiosity, creativity, and intellectual risk-taking in inclusive, equitable classroom environments.
• Build student confidence in using archival materials and navigating archival institutions—yes, you belong here, and you can touch this!
• Encourage innovative, collaborative teaching that incorporates TUSC collections and promotes archival research in undergraduate and graduate courses. 

Interested in bringing your class to TUSC? Fill out the Instruction Request Form. 

Types of Instruction Services

Instruction Sessions 
All sessions align with course goals and the SAA/RBMS Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy. Active, hands-on learning is encouraged. 

• Introductory Sessions (in-class or in TUSC classrooms): Overview of special collections, material handling, and research use. Tailored to course topics. We recommend scheduling an intro session before an interactive one.
• Interactive Sessions (in Special Collections classrooms): In collaboration with faculty, staff select materials for inquiry-based activities.
• Single Sessions that introduce archival and rare book research as discovery tools.

• Scaffolded Sessions (2+ visits): Guide students through increasingly complex archival work (folder, box, full collection) to build practical, ethical, and analytical research skills. These sessions support:

  - Close reading and reflection

  - Archival affect and critical analysis

  - Storytelling and interpretation using primary sources 

Consultations 
Virtual or in-person planning meetings about sessions, assignments, or collections. Contact Agnieszka Czeblakow, Head of Research Services: aczeblakow@tulane.edu 

Special Collections Tours 
Department tours and gallery talks for groups of 10+ led by TUSC archivists, librarians, or curators. 

Instruction Spaces

Classrooms 
Located in Jones Hall 306 (Louis Prima Room) and HTML Room 603. Accommodates up to 25 students, 9:00–5:00 weekdays. We can arrange for large or evening classes. 

Exhibition Spaces 
Jones Hall galleries and other exhibit areas can be used for student-curated exhibits or projects using Special Collections materials. 

Online Exhibits 
In collaboration with Digital Scholarship & Initiatives, we support student or faculty-curated digital exhibits using Tulane Online Exhibit. Our team is here to help with logistics and planning. 

We are happy to accommodate students and faculty with special needs. Please contact us at least five business days before your session or tour. 

Requesting an Instruction Session 

To schedule a class, fill out the Instruction Request Form and follow these guidelines: 

• Submit your request at least two weeks in advance.
• After receiving your form, we’ll schedule a consultation to discuss session goals, confirm logistics, and select materials. 

For questions about teaching with TUSC, contact Agnieszka Czeblakow at aczeblakow@tulane.edu.