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Jack Nusan Porter (1944- ) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 55/10

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The Jack Nusan Porter Papers comprise three boxes including one half-size box. The papers span the years from 1965 to 1981 but include materials mainly from 1971 through 1979. The papers are divided into three categories: general correspondence; publications, research, and teaching files; and student materials. The first folder of the series contains scattered biographical materials including vitae, clippings, and miscellaneous other materials.

The general correspondence, which includes both incoming and copies of outgoing letters, pertains mainly to Porter's career as teacher and writer. Much of the correspondence is routine and includes many application for teaching positions. The correspondence pertaining to Porter's writings includes criticisms of Porter's works as well as letters from publishers accepting and rejecting various articles and commentaries. Because of Porter's interest and activity in the field of Jewish studies, the correspondence also includes many letters from prominent individuals within the Jewish intellectual and publishing communities. A small amount of correspondence related to Porter's wider interests in the field of sociology and includes letters from several sociologists including David Riesman.

The publications, research, and teaching files comprise several folders including Porter's research materials on "Young Jews and the New Left," "The Jewish Student," a 1970 analysis of religious and secular attitudes of Northwestern Jewish students; and "Neo-Nazis in America." Correspondence and related materials pertaining to the Journal of the History of Sociology are contained in one folder. Copies of Porter's articles, essays, and reviews, both published and unpublished, are arranged chronologically into two folders. A third folder of similar articles and commentaries includes undated items. Other folders contain reviews an advertisements concerning Porter's publications, and materials documenting his lecture, speaking, and conference engagements. Correspondence, clippings, and teaching materials document Porter's teaching career at a variety of institutions from 1969 through 1979.

Porter's student materials include a small amount of notes and papers generated while he was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Northwestern University.

Addition 1

This addition comprises twenty-eight items, mainly articles and reviews written by Porter as well as miscellaneous biographical materials, which span the period ca. 1980-1983. Eight items have been added to the Biographical Materials folder (Box 1, Folder 1); twelve have been added to the Articles, Essays, and Reviews folders (Box 2, Folders 8 and 9); and eight have been added to the Reviews and Advertisements folder (Box 3, Folder 1).

Addition 2

Spanning the period ca. 1984-1985, the additions are comprised of seventeen items, mainly clippings and reviews by and about Porter. Included are promotional materials relating to Porter's business activities and interests. The items have been added to the Biographical Materials folder (Box 1, Folder 1), the Articles, Essays and Reviews folders (Box 2, Folders 8 and 9), and the Reviews and Advertisements folder (Box 3, Folder 1).

Addition 3

Thirty items, including clippings and reviews by and about Porter. One folder contains promotional materials concerning Porter's business venture, The Spencer Group. The additions span the period 1972 through 1986.

The materials have been added to the Biographical Materials folder (Box 1, Folder 1), the Articles, Essays and Reviews folders (Box 2, Folders 8 and 9), and the Reviews and Advertisements folder (Box 3, Folder 1).

Addition 4

Eleven items, dating from 1967 through 1986, and including biographical material, promotional materials, and clippings and writings by or concerning Porter.

The materials have been added to the Biographical Materials folder (Box 1, Folder 1), the Articles, Essays and Reviews folders (Box 2, Folder 7), and the Spencer Group folder (Box 3, Folder 12).

Addition 5, Box 4 This addition consists of three paper-bound works by Jack Nusan Porter, published between 1981 and 1997.

Dates

  • 1965-1997

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Extent

4.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Jack Nusan Porter received his doctorate in sociology from Northwestern University in 1971. His dissertation, "Student Protest, University Decision-Making, and the Technocratic Society: The Case of ROTC," was a study of student opposition to Northwestern's Reserve Officer Training Corps from 1968 to 1970. Porter's teaching and research interests included sociology, psychology, and Jewish studies. He was most active in the sociological study of Jewry, of genocide, and of the effects of the Nazi Holocaust. The Jack Nusan Porter Papers include correspondence; publications, research, and teaching files; and student materials. They document Porter's teaching and research at a variety of institutions.

Arrangement Note

The papers are divided into three categories: general correspondence; publications, research, and teaching files; and student materials.

Method of Acquisition

The University Archives received these Papers in two accessions (Acc. #79-160 and Acc. #79-210) from Jack Nusan Porter.

The first addition materials were donated to the University Archives by Jack Nusan Porter and received on October 3, 1983 (Accession #83-143).

The University Archives received the second addition from Jack Nusan Porter on August 16, 1985 (Accession #85-165).

The third addition was received from Jack Nusan Porter by the Northwestern University Archives on August 26, 1986 (Accession #86-163).

The fourth addition was received from Jack Nusan Porter by the Northwestern University Archives on December 5, 1986, as Accession #86-256.

The fifth addition was received from Jack Nusan Porter by the Northwestern University Archives on October 13, 1997, as Accession #97-185.

Separated Materials

The University Archives holds a copy of Student Protest and the Technocratic Society: The Case of ROTC. This book is shelved with the Archives' reference book collection. The University Library holds a copy of Jewish Radicalism. It is cataloged 301.452 P846j. A photograph of Porter has been transferred to the Archives' Photograph Collection.

Four photographs were removed from the third addition to the University Archives' photograph collection.

Four photographs have been separated from the fourth addition and added to the Northwestern University Archives photo file.

Processing Information

Margaret Faverty and Kevin Leonard; July 1, 1981.

The first addition was processed by Kevin B. Leonard; October 4, 1983.

The second addition was processed by Kevin B. Leonard; August 16, 1985.

The third addition was processed by Patricia Cloud, September 4, 1986.

The fourth addition was processed by Patricia Cloud, December 10, 1986.

Title
Guide to the Jack Nusan Porter (1944- ) Papers
Author
Margaret Faverty and Kevin Leonard
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
und

Library Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635