Harold B. Lee Library

Brigham Young University and the College of Humanities

Introduction

Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The College of Humanities was not organized as a separate administrative unit until June of 1965. Upon its inception, the college consisted of four areas: the Department of English, the Department of Languages, a small interdepartmental program in humanities, and another inter-departmental program in Latin-American Studies. The College of Humanities continues to play an important role on campus by fulfilling the mission for which it was designed: to prepare students with the skills and methods to deal independently and in depth with the major manifestations of human culture—language, literature, the arts, and ideas. Brigham Young University’s remarkable history can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives. The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of Brigham Young University’s College of Humanities.

Secondary Sources and General information

Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding.

• Histories of Brigham Young University
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976.
  • Butterworth, Edwin Jr. Brigham Young University: 1,000 Views of 100 Years. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.

Primary Sources

• Sample materials dealing with the Brigham Young University College of Humanities: A sample of the materials that contain information about BYU’s College of Humanities. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
  • UA 464 Records, 1918-1962 Records of the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences. Humanities and Social Sciences were, from 1954-1965, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Includes correspondence, memoranda, faculty load reports, budget reports, curriculum, catalog material, registration, scholarship and fellowship information. Also includes information concerning various departments, data processing reports, college enrollment and grades, and faculty personnel files.
  • UA 660 Printed matter files, 1955-1988 1973-1980 Contains some annual reports, meeting minutes, Language Research Center records (see Humanities Research Center), etc.
  • UA 628 College history, 1965-1987 Notes, memoranda, newsletters, programs, lectures, announcements, news items, correspondence, and miscellaneous materials relating to the College of Humanities at Brigham Young University.
  • UA 1117 Records, 1972-1988 This collection contains the correspondence, class material, and annual reports of the department.
• The following items are restricted.  Please contact the University Archivist for more information regarding access to these collections.
  • UA 1217 Records, 1960-1997 This collection contains correspondence, reports, notes and schedules which detail the activities of the College of Humanities and the departments composing it. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
  • UA 1123 Dean’s Office Records, 1964-1991 This collection contains correspondence, department files, administrative files, meeting minutes, reports and other materials that document the functioning of the Dean’s Office of the College of Humanities. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
  • UA 5390 College of Humanities records The collection contains correspondence, reports, and minutes from the College of Humanities dated 1991-2006. The materials pertain to College Administrative Council meetings and retreats, Joseph F. Smith building information, commencement, and Dean Jones’s records. Restricted for 25 years (until 2031) after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the history of the Brigham Young University College of Humanities. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.