Thomson Higher Education Introduces Enhanced Database for Creating Literature Anthologies
BELMONT, Calif., Aug 29, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Thomson Higher Education, a global provider of teaching solutions for higher education, today announced the launch of Sundance Choice Literature, an enhanced database developed to provide customization options for introduction to literature, fiction, poetry, and drama courses. The Sundance Choice Literature Database is a print on demand solution that allows professors the choice and flexibility to easily build customized anthologies and corresponding technology programs tailored specifically to their course needs.
Included in the Sundance Choice Literature Database are classic and contemporary works spanning from the Greeks to the present, including 65 stories, 190 poems, 12 plays, and 8 novellas. Selected by Joe Trimmer, the editor of the first database of short stories for college courses, eFictions, each short story, poem, play or novella in the Sundance Choice Literature library was selected by an extensive national survey for the strength of its pedagogy, consistent use by instructors, and appeal to students. By offering the opportunity to purchase only the selections that students will use in class, Sundance Choice Literature offers a unique textbook value and more convenient alternative to traditional literature anthologies that can often number as many as 2200 pages. The literature database is easy to search and customized compilations are conveniently published along with corresponding supplemental materials. At the click of a mouse, instructors can choose which short stories, poems, plays or novella they wish to use in their class and immediately view the cost of the anthology to their bookstore. They determine the order the selected content will be placed in the book, which supplemental material will be included (i.e., author headnotes or research questions), and whether they would like to add their own original materials.
In addition to the established content library, Sundance Choice Literature allows for the inclusion of original material, reinforcing Thomson Custom Solutions' commitment to meeting customer needs to provide the greatest choice possible. Professor handouts, a syllabus, paper assignments, student papers, or any other course materials can easily be included in the publishing process as supplements to the available Sundance Choice Literature resources.
"We are committed to providing a wide range of solutions to faculty and students at the best value possible. Sundance Choice Literature gives instructors total control and choice, ensuring that students are only paying for materials that will be used," said Susan Badger, President and CEO, Thomson Higher Education.
In addition to the literary works available through the Sundance Choice Literature database, the offering allows for the integration of audio, video and interactive instruction. The Lit21 and Poetry21 CD-ROMs designed specifically for literature courses, provide every student with audio recordings of poetry, engaging video, instruction in the elements of literature, contextual timelines, and "The Explicator" -- Thomson Wadsworth's close-reading tool to help students create notes for their explication or analysis papers, and generate supporting evidence from the texts for their other papers. Instructors can choose which of these additional supplements they want to accompany the customized text.
There are seven full chapters on writing and research also available through Sundance Choice Literature as a supplement to the core content selections. These resources cover the entire writing process from brainstorm to final paper, including: The Writing Process, Developing a Thesis, Supporting a Thesis, Conducting Research, A Brief Guide to Documenting Sources, Writing the Research Paper, and a Writers Handbook.
Sundance Choice Literature is a Thomson Custom Solutions offering with personalized compilations of content provided by Thomson Wadsworth, a leading publisher of English titles. The database is easy to navigate and orders can be placed either online or via fax. Orders are delivered to customers within four to six weeks. For more information and to browse through available readings, visit www.sundance.thomsoncustom.com.
About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Higher Education
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2004 revenues from continuing operations of $8.10 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson (NYSE: TOC; TSX) has approximately 40,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning. Thomson Higher Education is a leading provider of higher education textbooks, software, and Internet materials for the humanities, behavioral and social sciences, mathematics and the sciences, and business and economics. It publishes under the brands of Thomson Wadsworth, Thomson Brooks/Cole, Thomson South-Western, Thomson Heinle, and Thomson Schirmer.
SOURCE Thomson Corporation
Adam Gaber, Senior Director, Public Relations of Thomson Learning, +1-203-539-8663,
adam.gaber@thomson.com