The Cooper Union Archives Collection of Course Catalogs

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RG.009

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of course catalogs produced by The Cooper Union from 1904-2016. These catalogs chart the evolution of the school from an institution evenly split between a technical school of science and a women's art school, to a degree-conferring co-ed college with schools of art, architecture, and engineering. Though the style and substance of the catalogs varies over the years, each typically includes an overview of the school, degree requirements, lists of faculty and administrators, and course descriptions. Collection highlights include course descriptions for the short-lived school of stenography and a 1945 catalog supplement produced specifically for veterans.

Dates

This collection contains physical copies of course catalogs produced between 1904 and 2016. Course catalogs produced between 2008 and 2021 can be found at cooper.edu/students/registrar/course-catalog

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restriction.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from The Cooper Union Archives and Special Collections. For more information please email archives@cooper.edu.

Biographical / Historical

The Cooper Union opened in 1859 as a free school offering day and night courses in science and engineering along with an all-female school of art. The structure of these programs evolved over the years, e.g. the Women's Art School merged with the architecture courses to become the co-ed School of Art in the 1930s. The various courses on offer would eventually settle into three schools - art, architecture, enginnering - each offering undergraduate degrees. The Cooper Union of today also offers coursework to support graduate degrees in architecture and engineering, as well as a continuing education program.

Extent

368 Volumes (Mixed hardback multi-year volumes and paperback individual year volumes )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of course catalogs produced by The Cooper Union from 1904-2016. The publications are a mix of bound and unbound materials. They typically include an overview of the school, degree requirements, lists of faculty and administrators, and course descriptions.

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged by date.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was compiled by staff at the Cooper Union Archives.

Subjects

Architectural schools Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Art schools Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Curricula--Catalogs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Engineering schools Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Universities and colleges--Curricula--Catalogs Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings