Based on the popular online course, “Traditions & Cultures of Indiana University,” the interactive CD version of the course shows and tells how and why IU Bloomington grew from a tiny, rural seminary into one of the largest research universities in the country.

“It’s the backstory of IU,” said James Capshew, a professor of history and philosophy of science at IUB, who developed the course with Thomas Gieryn, professor of sociology at IUB.

Like the online course, the CD approaches the subject in two different ways—historically and topically.

The historical approach uses nine watershed dates (including a look ahead to 2020) as entry points into discussions of the people, places and programs of those times. For instance, in 1885 the university had just moved from its downtown location to Dunn’s Woods. Also, following national trends, the university was beginning to introduce departments and majors, moving away from its classical curriculum.

A topical entry point focuses on events, programs and holdings—the “treasures of IU.” These include Little 500, the opera program, the Gutenberg Bible and Crest toothpaste, which lead to a discussion of the origin and development of applied research on the campus.

Each chapter includes a dozen or more pages of text and graphics, including a number of 360-degree photographs and video clips. You can move at your own pace, and the CD version does not include the original’s quizzes!

An affordable $15, the CD can be ordered through the IUAA’s Alumni Collection by calling  800-824-3044 or going to this Web site:

http://www.alumni.indiana.edu/merch