Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
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Basic Urdu
Rajiv Ranjan · Michigan State University
Basic Urdu is a theme-based, interactive open-source online textbook for the true novice learners of the Urdu language. The book uses mixed pedagogical approaches to language teaching to match diverse teaching and learning styles. It aims to help learners achieve intermediate low to mid-proficiency levels set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
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Plague Diaries: Firsthand Accounts of Epidemics, 430 B.C. to A.D. 1918
Ryan Johnson, David Ulrich & Tina Ulrich · LibreTexts
This project originated in response to the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the globe and its various knock-on effects. We created a small collection of openly available primary documents discussing epidemics from the past, such as the Black Death in Europe in the mid-fourteenth century and smallpox hitting northern Michigan in the nineteenth.
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Information Literacy - Basic Research Skills
Carol M. Withers with Bruce Johnson & Nathan Martin · San Diego City College Library
This text address developing transferable skills in students, which allows them to take what they learn here and apply it to any information need in any environment: academia, careers, life-long learning, bar bets, or what have you. It is not an attempt to be a comprehensive book on information literacy, but rather a brief overview.
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Making a Difference
Cathy Thwing and student writers at Pima Community College · LibreTexts
In this section, we look at the ways we can make a difference in our lives, our communities, and our world.
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Decoding the 1920s: A Reader for Advanced Learners of Russian
Nila Friedberg · Portland State University
Literature of the 1920s is a major part of the Russian canon, but is notoriously difficult for learners of Russian to read in the original, due both to its stylistic complexity and the relative obscurity of its historical, political, and cultural references. And yet, this decade is crucial for understanding Russia – not only in the Soviet period, but also today.
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Music - Its Language, History, and Culture
Douglas Cohen · CUNY Brooklyn College
This text is designed to introduce students to works representative of a variety of music traditions including the repertoires of Western Europe from the Middle Ages through the present; of the United States, including art music, jazz, folk, rock, musical theater; and from at least two non-Western world areas (Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Indian subcontinent).
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Music Appreciation
Elliot Jones · Santa Ana College
Welcome to Music Appreciation. I think you’ve made a smart choice to spend some weeks studying some of the greatest music ever written. Consider for a moment how quickly a hit pop song passes from fashionable to forgotten. Those of us that have been out of high school or college more years than we care to remember have certainly had the experience of hearing a favorite anthem of our youth and thinking, “Oh yeah, that song! I’d forgotten that one.”
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Steps to Success Crossing the Bridge Between Literacy Research and Practice
Kristen A. Munger · SUNY Oswego
This text introduces instructional strategies linked to the most current research-supported practices in the field of literacy. The book includes chapters related to scientifically-based literacy research, early literacy development, literacy assessment, digital age influences on children's literature, literacy development in underserved student groups, secondary literacy instructional strategies, literacy and modern language, and critical discourse analysis.
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SPA 1B: Elementary Spanish
Cristina Moon · Chabot College
Beginning Spanish 1B is the second half of a comprehensive introductory Spanish sequence, providing guidance and practice in reading, writing, listening to, and speaking Spanish. Each module includes thematic vocabulary, sequenced grammar instruction, numerous self-check drills and exercises, open-form communicative activities, scaffolded writing assignments, and reading passages exploring various aspects of life and culture in the Spanish-speaking world.
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Writing for Success
Rebecca Weaver Ed. · Georgia State University
Writing well is difficult, we get it. It's hard to put your thoughts into text, but it is essential to success, not only in school but in life. Communication is essential in every career field. To know something is great, but it doesn't help anyone but you, until you can share that knowledge with others. That is the essence of communication.
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Building Academic Writing Skills
Lin Cui · Harper College
“Building Academic Writing Skills” provides carefully targeted and sequenced instructions in academic writing and editing for intermediate level English as a Second Language (ESL) students.
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A World Perspective of Art Appreciation (Gustlin and Gustlin) 2.0
Deborah Gustlin and Zoe Gustlin · Evergreen Valley College
Appreciation of the visual arts goes beyond staring at a painting hanging on the wall of a museum—art is in everything and everywhere you look. Opening your eyes to the world of art is important in understanding the world around you. Art is more than pretentious museums only a few enter and comprehend. Learning how to appreciate art is a basic cultural foundation enabling people to critically analyze art, art forms and how cultures used art. All it takes to understand the art is to just look!
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Oral Interpretation of Literature
Anna Martinez · Clovis Community College
An OER intended for a college course on the oral performance of literary texts.
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Making (More) History: World History 1750 - Present
Lindsay Bell · De Anza College
Making (More) History: World History 1750 to the present, is designed to meet the scope and sequence of a world history course at both two-year and four-year institutions on a quarter system schedule. Suitable for both majors and non majors Making (More) History introduces students to a global perspective of history that seeks to understand nontraditional narratives. Concepts and assessments help students think critically about the issues they encounter to broaden their perspectives.
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5.13.11: Alice Ruth Moore's "Amid the Roses" (1895)
Heather Ringo and Athena Kashyap · City College of San Francisco
LibreTexts
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12.15: Writing About Poetry
Heather Ringo and Athena Kashyap · City College of San Francisco
LibreTexts
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LIT 232: Survey of British Literature II
Skyline English Department · Skyline College
Study of the typical works of major British writers from the 19th Century to the present.
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Color Theory and Composition
Lauren Champlin · Rio Hondo College
Color is a language with the unique ability to communicate both meanings and direct sensations. Picture a row of flags: color information of striped bands is used to distinguish country affiliation. Now, on the other hand, imagine standing in front of a Rothko painting: entering fields of red and orange raises your heart rate slightly, makes you feel warm, excited, complex emotions. We are immersed in the language of color. From rainbows to stop signs to paint, color can function as code, sensa
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A Guide to the Gothic
Jeanette A Laredo · Tarrant County College (Trinity River)
A Guide to the Gothic is an openly licensed, online textbook that presents a comprehensive examination of the genre. In addition to critical essays exploring major periods, tropes and trends of the Gothic tradition, A Guide to the Gothic includes selections from more than 200 years of Gothic works that are in the public domain. Intended for instructors of Gothic literature seeking a collaborative resource to educate and inspire the next generation of Gothic scholars.
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Do You Want to Major in Music?
Jill Wilson and Natalie Steele Royston · Iowa State University
This volume is written by two collegiate music teacher educators who have met with numerous prospective music students and answered thousands of questions. They have seen students enter institutions as excited music majors only to be blindsided by the demands of the program of study. Throughout the book, the authors share advice collected from music majors, music education majors, current music teachers, and music teacher educators.