News Release

The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation has awarded the Sheridan Libraries at The Johns Hopkins University $200,000 to enhance traditional classroom-based humanities courses by creating complementary online resources.

Drawing on the expertise of the humanities faculty and the university's Center for Educational Resources, up to five undergraduate courses will be supplemented with the application of a range of digital technologies. Launched in the Eisenhower Library last fall, the Center supports faculty in the application of new media and technology in teaching. Newly designed humanities courses will feature searchable image databases and readings, digital versions of primary course materials linked to other Web resources, online writing workshops, digital audio capability for language instruction and virtual discussions.

"The online environment is ideal for developing critical thinking skills in the humanities by providing students with powerful capabilities to explore, analyze and evaluate relationships among a rich array of information resources," said Candice Dalrymple, associate dean and director of the Center.

"This grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations affords us an exciting opportunity to collaborate with faculty in advancing Johns Hopkins' long tradition of teaching excellence in the humanities," remarked Jim Neal, dean of university libraries. "Our experience in creating these digitally enriched courses will enhance faculty and Center staff expertise in digital course design and provide opportunities for us to apply this expertise in a number of other disciplines."

The Sheridan Libraries encompass the Milton S. Eisenhower Library and its collections at the Hutzler Reading Room, Garrett Library and the George Peabody Library.