Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
External
Canadian History: Pre-Confederation
John Belshaw · BCcampus · 2015
Canadian History: Pre-Confederation is a survey text that introduces undergraduate students to important themes in North American history to 1867. It provides room for Aboriginal and European agendas and narratives, explores the connections between the territory that coalesces into the shape of modern Canada and the larger continent and world in which it operates, and engages with emergent issues in the field. The material is pursued in a largely chronological manner to the early 19th century, at which point social, economic, and political change are dissected. Canadian History: Pre-Confederation provides, as well, a reconnaissance of historical methodology and debates in the field, exercises for students, Key Terms and a Glossary, and section-by-section Key Points. Although this text can be modified, expanded, reduced, and reorganized to suit the needs of the instructor, it is organized so as to support learning, to broaden (and sometimes provoke) debate, and to engage students in thinking like historians. Written and reviewed by subject experts drawn from colleges and universities, this is the first open textbook on the topic of Canadian history.
External
Tajik Persian: Readings in History, Culture and Society
Razi Ahmad · University of Kansas Libraries · 2016
Tajik Persian: Readings in History, Culture and Society seeks to help students develop reading proficiency in Tajik at advanced level through authentic texts written for native speakers and provides them glimpses into the history, culture and society of Tajikistan without losing its focus on cultural aspects of the country—an aspect that constitutes a core component in the second language acquisition. The book can be adopted by instructors as a supplementary or the main textbook for advanced-level courses.
External
World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500
Eugene Berger; George Israel; Charolette Miller · University of North Georgia Press · 2016
World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500 offers a comprehensive introduction to the history of humankind from prehistory to 1500. Authored by six USG faculty members with advance degrees in History, this textbook offers up-to-date original scholarship. It covers such cultures, states, and societies as Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Israel, Dynastic Egypt, India's Classical Age, the Dynasties of China, Archaic Greece, the Roman Empire, Islam, Medieval Africa, the Americas, and the Khanates of Central Asia.It includes 350 high-quality images and maps, chronologies, and learning questions to help guide student learning. Its digital nature allows students to follow links to applicable sources and videos, expanding their educational experience beyond the textbook. It provides a new and free alternative to traditional textbooks, making World History an invaluable resource in our modern age of technology and advancement.
External
History in the Making: A History of the People of the United States of America to 1877
Catherine Locks; Sarah Mergel; Pamela Roseman; Tamara Spike · The University Press of North Georgia · 2013
This textbook examines U.S. History from before European Contact through Reconstruction, while focusing on the people and their history.Prior to its publication, History in the Making underwent a rigorous double blind peer review, a process that involved over thirty scholars who reviewed the materially carefully, objectively, and candidly in order to ensure not only its scholarly integrity but also its high standard of quality.This book provides a strong emphasis on critical thinking about US History by providing several key features in each chapter. Learning Objectives at the beginning of each chapter help students to understand what they will learn in each chapter. Before You Move On sections at the end of each main section are designed to encourage students to reflect on important concepts and test their knowledge as they read. In addition, each chapter includes Critical Thinking Exercises that ask the student to deeply explore chapter content, Key Terms, and a Chronology of events.
External
Placing the History of College Writing: Stories from the Incomplete Archive
Nathan Shepley · WAC Clearinghouse · 2015
In Placing the History of College Writing, Nathan Shepley argues that pre-1950s composition history, if analyzed with the right conceptual tools, can pluralize and clarify our understanding of the relationship between the writing of college students and the writing's physical, social, and discursive surroundings. Even if the immediate outcome of student writing is to generate academic credit, Shepley shows, the writing does more complex rhetorical work. It gives students chances to uphold or adjust institutional codes for student behavior, allows students and their literacy sponsors to respond to sociopolitical issues in a city or state, enables faculty and administrators to create strategic representations of institutional or program identities, and connects people across disciplines, occupations, and geographic locations. Shepley argues that even if many of today's composition scholars and instructors work at institutions that lack extensive historical records of the kind usually preferred by composition historians, those scholars and teachers can mine their institutional collections for signs of the various contexts with which student writing dealt.
External
World History, Volume 2: from 1400
Ann Kordas; Ryan J. Lynch; Brooke Nelson; Julie Tatlock · OpenStax, Rice University
World History, Volume 2: from 1400 is designed to meet the scope and sequence of a world history course from 1400 offered at both two-year and four-year institutions. Suitable for both majors and non majors World History, Volume 2: from 1400 introduces students to a global perspective of history couched in an engaging narrative. Concepts and assessments help students think critically about the issues they encounter so they can broaden their perspective of global history. A special effort has been made to introduce and juxtapose people’s experiences of history for a rich and nuanced discussion. Primary source material represents the cultures being discussed from a firsthand perspective whenever possible. World History, Volume 2: from 1400 also includes the work of diverse and underrepresented scholars to ensure a full range of perspectives.
External
World History, Volume 1: to 1500
Ann Kordas; Ryan J. Lynch; Brooke Nelson; Julie Tatlock · OpenStax, Rice University
World History, Volume 1: to 1500 is designed to meet the scope and sequence of a world history course to 1500 offered at both two-year and four-year institutions. Suitable for both majors and non majors World History, Volume 1: to 1500 introduces students to a global perspective of history couched in an engaging narrative. Concepts and assessments help students think critically about the issues they encounter so they can broaden their perspective of global history. A special effort has been made to introduce and juxtapose people’s experiences of history for a rich and nuanced discussion. Primary source material represents the cultures being discussed from a firsthand perspective whenever possible. World History, Volume 1: to 1500 also includes the work of diverse and underrepresented scholars to ensure a full range of perspectives.
External
U.S. History
P. Scott Corbett; Volker Janssen; John M. Lund; Todd Pfannestiel · OpenStax, Rice University
U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.
External
The Islamic World
SmartHistory of Art · Smarthistory
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are three of the world’s great monotheistic faiths. They share many of the same holy sites, such as Jerusalem, and prophets, such as Abraham. Collectively, scholars refer to these three religions as the Abrahamic faiths, since Abraham and his family played vital roles in the formation of these religions.
External
Drawing - An Introduction to Studio Drawing
Michael Leonard · University of the Pacific
This publication is intended to support a foundational level, hands-on introductory course in drawing with an emphasis upon skill-building and the visual and conceptual possibilities of art through drawing. A variety of projects and materials will be used to investigate the medium’s history, traditional approaches, and expressive possibilities. It presents the main concepts, processes, and stylistic approaches of drawing as a means of artistic expression as well as develops aesthetic judgment.
External
Art Appreciation
Lumen · LibreTexts
This text investigates how quality is determined and created by artists in order to evaluate and appreciate art on a deeper level. This course emphasizes why each topic contributes to valuing a piece of art and provides the necessary knowledge to do so. Students are first introduced to the elements and principles of art and the importance of artists’ context and perspective. The text then covers different periods in art history, different techniques in art, and how to research and evaluate art.
External
Introduction to Historical Geology
Chris Johnson, Callan Bentley, Karla Panchuk, et al. · Maricopa Open Digital Press
In the contents: 2.03: Key Events in Earth History
External
A World Perspective of Art Appreciation
Deborah Gustlin & Zoe Gustlin · Evergreen Valley College
In the contents: 10.6: Natural History Illustration (18th Century)
External
Introduction to Earth and Space Sciences
Robert Wagner · HACC
Introduction to Earth and Space Sciences explores Earth as a planet and its place in the larger universe. Beginning with astronomy, we investigate our solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe. We then examine Earth’s atmosphere and the processes that produce weather and climate before turning to the solid Earth, its materials, geological history, and changing landscapes. Together, these topics reveal the interconnected processes that shape our planet and our understanding of the cosmos.
External
A World Perspective of Art Appreciation
Deborah Gustlin & Zoe Gustlin · Evergreen Valley College
In the contents: 10.06: Natural History Illustration (18th Century)
![Principles of Biology II (Lab Manual) [BIS 151]](/api/files/covers/libretexts-bio-178274.jpg)
External
Principles of Biology II (Lab Manual) [BIS 151]
Beth Cliffel · Triton College
The laboratory component of this course is designed to complement and expand on the material presented in lecture. Here you will gain a deeper understanding of how structure and function reflect evolutionary history and key adaptations acquired by each group of organisms. Essential to these labs is careful observation of specimens. You will also have the opportunity to develop and test hypotheses through various experiments that you will be performing.
External
Another Photography Book
Thomas Payne · LibreTexts
In the contents: 11: History of Photography
External
Introduction to Philosophy
Nathan Smith et al. · OpenStax
In the contents: 03: The Early History of Philosophy around the World · 4.01: Historiography and the History of Philosophy
External
REL-103: World Religions
Rising Scholar Program · Lake Tahoe Community College
In the contents: 5.01: History Beliefs Rituals Legends
External
Police Systems, Practices, and Ethical Considerations
Lisa C. Bowman-Bowen & Jamie O'Reilly · Coastal Bend College
Police Systems, Practices, and Ethical Considerations (LibreTexts OER) provides a concise overview of the history and foundations of American law enforcement, tracing its development from early English influences to modern professional policing. The text examines organizational structures, core practices, constitutional policing, use of force, and ethical responsibilities, while addressing accountability and contemporary challenges within a democratic society.