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Oral history interview with Robert McKennan.

 Collection
Identifier: DOH-239
DOH-239

  • Staff Only

Description

The oral history interview of Robert McKennan is comprised of three audiocassette recordings and a tape log of the recordings. The interview was conducted by Arthur Wilson on Dec. 3, 1974. The entire interview runs for approximately two and a half hours. Professor McKennan describes how undergraduate life was in the 1920s, and the nature of the "Problems of Citizenship Course." He speaks of tensions in the Sociology Department between the young and old sociologists, the relations between the Museum and the faculty and the problems with the Museum. He talks about the development and recruitment of the Anthropology Department; he also talks about the Northern Studies Program, its origins, and collapse. He describes the arrival of Vilhjalmur Stefansson and the Stefansson library, and the origins of CRREL. He also talks about decisions made at Dartmouth regarding issues like coeducation and professionalization. Lastly, he compares the administration of John Sloan Dickey to Ernest M. Hopkins.

Dates

  • 1974-12-03

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission from Dartmouth College required for publication or reproduction.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (3 hours, 3 sound cassettes, 1 tape log (4 pages))

6 Digital File(s) (6 .wav files)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Robert McKennan, Class of 1925, Sociology Department 1930-1961, Professor of Anthropology Emeritus 1961-1969. Oral history interview documenting his career at Dartmouth College. Professor McKennan describes how undergraduate life was in the 1920s, and the nature of the "Problems of Citizenship Course." He speaks of tensions in the Sociology Department between the young and old sociologists, the relations between the Museum and the faculty and the problems with the Museum. He talks about the development and recruitment of the Anthropology Department; he also talks about the Northern Studies Program, its origins, and collapse. He describes the arrival of Vilhjalmur Stefansson and the Stefansson library, and the origins of CRREL. He also talks about decisions made at Dartmouth regarding issues like coeducation and professionalization. Lastly, he compares the administration of John Sloan Dickey to Ernest M. Hopkins.

Part of the Rauner Library Archives and Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
6065 Webster Hall
Hanover NH 03755 USA

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