Skip to Main Content

Exploring Special Collections Instruction Sessions: A Guide for Faculty

This research guide provides information regarding collaborations between Special Collections and faculty across campus.

History of Aviation Archives

The History of Aviation Archive represents a world-class aeronautical collection documenting the evolution of flight and aerospace development. As the largest section of Special Collections, it serves as the official repository for significant aviation history, including Civil Air Transport (CAT) and Air America operations.

Below you will find examples of possible teaching and research applications using resources from one of the many collections in the History of Aviation Archive. For additional ideas, click on Cross-Disciplinary Applications of the History of Aviation Archive.

Possible Teaching and Research Applications using Aviation Archives

This is a sepia or vintage looking image of Clara Adams wearing a flight suit that includes a flying helmet and goggles. She is also wearing gloves and boots.She's looking toward the sky with both arms in the air and her right arm pointing to the sky.

Photo of Clara Adams in flight gear

Aviation Innovation

  • Aircraft development history
  • Early flight technology

Historical Perspectives

  • Women's aviation contributions
  • Personal narratives
  • Oral histories

Technical Documentation

  • Production methods
  • Aircraft design evolution
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Engineering practices

Belsterling Botanical Collection

The Louise B. Belsterling Botanical Collection houses an extraordinary collection of rare botanical and horticulture books from as early as the 15th century. 

Below you will find an example of a few possible teaching and research applications using the Louise B. Belsterling Botanical Collection. For more information about the collection and additional examples of ideas, please click on Cross-Disciplinary Applications of the Louise B. Belserling Botanical Collection.

Possible Teaching and Research Applications using the Belsterling Collection

Historical Studies

  • Botanical illustration evolution
  • Medicinal plants
  • Regional agricultural history

Environmental Research

  • Climate adaptation patterns
  • Native plant documentation
  • Ecological practices

Scientific Methods

  • Historical documentation techniques
  • Classification systems
  • Garden design principles

This is an image of a two-page spread from the book the American Medical Botany book. It shows yellowing pages with the image of the plant, Euphorbia Corollata on the left page and its description on the right.

Plate from American medical botany: Being a collection of the native medicinal plants of the United States

Rare Books Collection

The Rare Book Collection includes both the History of the Book and Dr. Ludwig Michael Book Collections, along with many rare and unique books from as early as the 1500s. 

Below you will find an example of a few possible teaching and research applications using the Rare Books Collection. For even more examples, go to the Cross-Disciplinary Applications of the Rare Books Collection.

Possible Teaching and Research Applications Using Rare Books                              

Collection Study

  • Book history and production methods
  • First editions
  • Historical bindings and materials                                                       

Design Analysis

  • Typography varieties
  • Print techniques
  • Visual elements  

This photo is a cropped image of a page from the book, Gräber der Heiligen : Mit christlichen Leich-Predigten bey volckreicher Versamlung in öffentlichen Gottes-Häusern beehret und geschmücket. The page has yellowed due to its age and has varying typography in German with an elaborate drop cap       This is a photo of the book, Histoire et description generale du Japon, and shows the book open to an illustrated page.

(Left) from Gräber der Heiligen : Mit christlichen Leich-Predigten bey volckreicher Versamlung in öffentlichen Gottes-Häusern beehret und geschmücket (Right) Histoire et description generale du Japon

University Archives

The University Archives serves as the institutional memory of UT Dallas, collecting and preserving materials that document our university's unique history and development. Our collections capture the evolution of academic programs, student life, research initiatives, and campus growth since the institution's founding.

Below you will find some ideas for possible teaching and research applications using University Archives. For even more information about the collection and additional ideas, check out Cross-Disciplinary Application of the University Archives.

Possible Teaching and Research Applications using University Archives

This picture shows rows of shelving in the archives filled with boxes of varying shapes. The boxes are grey, tan, and beige, and the shelves are very full.

Picture from the University Archives collection

Institutional Development

  • University founding and growth
  • Academic program evolution
  • Departmental histories

Academic Life

  • Program growth
  • Educational initiatives
  • Oral histories

Community Impact

  • Economic influences on surrounding areas
  • Educational partnerships

Wineburgh Philatelic Research Library

The Wineburgh Philatelic Research Library represents a dynamic resource for postal history and stamp collecting research. Founded in 1976 by Harold Wineburgh, this collection supports philatelic study through extensive holdings of books, journals, and catalogs. Wineburgh's vision of inspiring learning through stamp collecting continues to guide the library's mission of providing comprehensive resources for researchers and collectors.

Below you will find a few examples of possible teaching and research applications. For additional examples and more information about the Philatelic Research Library, check out Cross-Disciplinary Applications of the Wineburgh Philatelic Research Library.

Possible Teaching and Research Applications using the Philatelic Collection 

This is a picture of three books on a table. The books are from the Philatelic Research Library. The books are close in height, with one in black and white, one grey and yellow, and the last green and yellow.

Books from the Philatelic Research Library (left to right): Military Mail and Civil War Patriotic Covers Used in MissouriConfederate States of America: The special postal routesSpecial Mail Routes of the American Civil War: A guide to across-the-lines postal history.

Communication History

  • Postal system development
  • Civil War correspondence
  • International mail routes

Technical Innovation

  • Security printing evolution
  • Authentication methods
  • Production techniques

Cultural Analysis

  • Symbolic representation
  • Social communication
  • International relations