What happens when students truly encounter history? How does their perspective on contemporary topics change when they study original documents from the past? What if students did not just read, but also smell, feel, and listen?
During the workshop by Eline Bos (curator of academic heritage, University Library) - developed in collaboration with university historian Ab Flipse - students from Washington had the opportunity to literally experience the past.
A unique workshop with UNESCO heritage
On April 17, 2025, the historical archive of VU Amsterdam was officially registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World Dutch Register. During this workshop, guest-students had the opportunity to study several important archival documents from this UNESCO heritage. The goal of the workshop: to have students reflect on the concept of academic freedom. A broad and relevant topic for anyone working or studying at a university anywhere in the world. The students reflected using tangible objects from three specific moments in VU Amsterdam's history when academic freedom was under pressure.
The archival documents Eline brought with her were:
- An original edition of "Soevereiniteit in eigen kring" (Sphere Sovereignty) by Abraham Kuyper, which he read aloud at the opening of the university in 1880, and a cartoon about the opening of the university from an 1880 newspaper.
- Archival documents from two VU professors who actively resisted the German occupation during World War II between 1939 and 1945.
- 3. A 1965 LP from the student association L.A.N.X. containing a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his visit to VU for the honorary doctorate he received there.
Listening to, smelling, and feeling UNESCO heritage
But how did Eline use these historical objects in her workshop? The guest-students worked in groups of about eight people and were given a collection of objects. In rounds, they completed tasks that encouraged them to use all their senses:
- Round 1 | Observe: What do you see, smell, and hear?
- Round 2 | Interpret: Use Google Translate's camera function, discuss, and search online for context.
- Round 3 | Reflect: How does this change your view of academic freedom?
This approach ensured that the guest-students first looked at the objects as objectively as possible and didn't miss any important details. Only then did they interpret what they had in front of them, finally connecting it to academic freedom. This sensory engagement creates a deeper learning experience. It leads to different discussions and conversations than when you only talk about objects or show images.
What it brought the students
The guest-students' reactions were enthusiastic and stating:
- “The workshop made me actively engaged, helped me develop new perspectives, and allowed me to share my insights with others.”
- “By working together in a different context, we created a unique, shared understanding.”
To Eline's final question - whether this experience had changed their perspective on today's world - the answer was a resounding: yes!
