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Syracuse University Libraries

FYS 101: Pair Case Studies

This guide contains resources for the First Year Seminar course.

Introduction to Pair Case Studies

In FYS 101, exploring case studies provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of self, campus, and community. These real-life narratives, historical events, and community issues help highlight the diverse experiences of Syracuse students and community members, and foster connections to broader goal of engaged citizenship. Through these assignments, you will critically examine identity, belonging, and engagement within and beyond Syracuse University. 

For the Pair Case Study, you will work with your assigned partner(s) on one of the case studies below. Use these questions to guide your work:

    1. How would you summarize this case in your own words?
    2. Name one new thing you learned from the case study.
    3. How might this event have contributed to issues of access, inclusion, and institutional change at Syracuse University?
    4. Reflecting on our conversation about the construction of social identity and the “My Orange Tree” activity, how does the case prompt you to reflect on your understanding of the world around you?
    5. Does this case study resonate with you? Why or why not?
    6. How would you incorporate the knowledge gained from the case into your Personal Engagement Plan?
    7. What is one question you have about this event or something about this event that you’d like to know more about?
    8. If you could learn one more thing about this case, what would it be?

FYI: Each case study contains primary and secondary sources.  A primary source (also called an original source) is an artifactdocumentdiarymanuscriptautobiography, recording, or any other source of information that was created at the time under study. It serves as an original source of information about the topic. A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may contain pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources. If you'd like to learn more about primary and secondary sources, visit this guide to Primary Sources.

Case Study #4: First Year Student Traditions

Primary Sources: 

  • Freshman Traditions at Syracuse University, from “150 Years of Tradition at Syracuse University” exhibition, University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries
  • Rooted in the Pastfrom “150 Years of Tradition at Syracuse University” exhibition, University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries

Secondary Sources: 

Case Study #7: 1970 Student Strike

Shut it down flyer, 1970

The link below will take you to a digital exhibit created by the Syracuse Libraries' Special Collections Research Center. It includes several primary sources along with commentary to help you understand the event more thoroughly.  

Shut it Down: The 1970 Student Strike at Syracuse University

Case Study #5: Syracuse 8 Football Players

1969 photograph of Syracuse Football players

The link below will take you to a digital exhibit created by the Syracuse Libraries' Special Collections Research Center. It includes several primary sources along with commentary to help you understand the event more thoroughly.  

A Courageous Stand: The Story of the Syracuse 8

Case Study #8: Disability Studies and InclusiveU

InclusiveU student photo

Primary Source: 

Secondary Sources:

Case Study #3: Pan-Am 103

Woman at Pan Am 103 memorial

Primary Sources:

  • "The Longest Night" from “We Remember Them: The Legacy of Pan Am Flight 103” exhibition, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries

Secondary Source:

Case Study #6: GI Bill and Campus during Wartime

Syracuse Nurse Cadets

Primary Sources:

 

Secondary Sources: Introduction to "Our Doors Opened Wide" exhibit