BLUE-EYED, BROWN-EYED EXERCISE
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Scope and Contents
The Jane Elliott papers date from 1968 to 2011. The papers are arranged in six series: Biographical; Blue-Eyed, Brown-Eyed Exercise; White House Conference on Children; General; Photographs and Audiovisual Materials.
The Biographical (1966-2009) series contains Elliott's personal writing and correspondence, letters to the editor of the Riceville Recorder regarding an article covering Elliott's exercise and experiences, and the transcript of her 2009 oral history interview conducted by Iowa Women's Archives curator Kären Mason.
The Blue-Eyed, Brown-Eyed Exercise (1968-2011) series documents the fallout from Elliott's classroom exercise, including student self-portraits and surveys, material regarding William Peters' "A Class Divided", news items, and the numerous written responses Elliott received after newspaper and television coverage of her classroom. Additional materials relate to the diversity training workshops she went on to lead after leaving teaching.
The White House Conference on Children (1970-1971) series contains correspondence, reports, and other materials related to the 1970 conference, where Elliott was invited to participate in a forum called "Children without Prejudice".
The General (1970-2010) series contains material not related to the Blue-Eyed, Brown-Eyed exercise, including material related to Elliott's special interest in teaching students with dyslexia and her class of 1972's efforts to fund and plan a local park.
The Photographs (1968) series contains photographs and proofs of students in the first class Elliott conducted her famous exercise with, as well as undated photos of the Elliott family.
The Audiovisual (1971-2009) series contains material in multiple formats, including reporting on the "Blue-Eyed, Brown-Eyed" exercise, a Public Broadcasting Systems Frontline special, footage from Elliott's workshops, and audio recordings of her 2009 oral history interview. Most of this material has been digitized.
Dates
- Creation: 1968-2011
Creator
- From the Collection: Elliott, Jane, 1933- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research, but not to be placed online until April 4, 2028.
Extent
From the Collection: 3.50 Linear Feet
From the Collection: Photographs in box 8; one poster shelved in map case; d0093-d0098, v500-503, AC1490-AC1495, in audiovisual collection; one book in printed works; screenplay available as PDF. items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu