Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1966 - 1985, 1994; predominant 1971 - 1981 (Creation)
Level of description
Series
Extent and medium
235 cm of textual records, 14 audio cassettes (21 hours, 40 min.), 357 photographs: col. ; 35 mm negatives (in slide mount)
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
The material dating from 1966 to 1985 was originally housed in the Yale Divinity School Library. For the most part these were preparatory notes, lecture notes and class handouts which Nouwen had bound at the end of each class and donated to the Library. Administrative files related to Nouwen's teaching do not appear to have been donated to the Library by Nouwen. This material as well as notes from his classes at Boston College and Regis College were transferred from L'Arche Daybreak to the Archives. However, while at Daybreak, Nouwen's files were manipulated heavily, resulting in the loss of original order.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Series consists of materials created by Nouwen for use in his capacity as a professor and instructor. These materials include notes for lectures, reading notes, class lists, handouts for students, class schedules, course evaluations, audio recordings of lectures, and records related to the administration of courses.
Series has been divided into two sub-series:
1.7.1. Course handouts, lecture, reading and students notes (1966 - 1994, predominant 1972 - 1981). This sub-series also includes 14 audio recordings of Nouwen's lectures and 357 art slides which he used in his lectures on Van Gogh.
1.7.2. Administrative records (1966 - 1994, predominant 1983-1985)
Further details can be found on the sub-series description level.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of the series. Many of the early photo duplications are fading. Adhesive has been used for small slips of paper, which has caused some staining. The Yale Divinity School Library suffered a flood on New Year's Day, 1988, causing water damage and mould growth on a number of files and bound volumes. Some of the articles by students in the Van Gogh materials contains post cards that have been adhered using adhesive tape. There is some material (notably Nouwen's reading notes) in this series in Dutch, French and Greek. Letters of recommendation for former students and co-workers are located in the General Files series. Amateur recordings of some lectures are in the Sound Recording series. As well, there are live sound recordings of his lectures that were accrued after Nouwen's death from former students but were not a part of his personal collection of his recorded lectures. The series also has considerable overlap with materials contained within the Calendar Files. The Calendar Files deal with events and appointments Nouwen attended in his various capacities as a teacher, author, friend, colleague and priest. Many of these events relate to lectures or workshops Nouwen led as a university professor but do not necessarily relate directly to his post at a specific university. Some drafts of lectures and sermons can be found in the Manuscripts series. Calendar Files relating to Nouwen's guest lecturing at Regis College include files 904, 921, 924, 936, 958, and 984. Some correspondents that have particular relevance to Nouwen's function as a university professor include: Annice Callahan, George Rupp, Colin Williams, Padraic O'Hare, Peter Weiskel, John Mogabgab, and Parker Palmer. Materials relating to Nouwen's guest lectures for Sister Annice Callahan can be found in Accession 2002 33.