HIST 310 Genealogy and Oral History

Introduces the principles and practices of researching and preserving family and community histories through genealogy and oral traditions.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Genealogy and oral history provide vital connections to personal and collective identities, offering insights into God’s providence and faithfulness across generations. This course equips the student with practical research skills while fostering an appreciation for the biblical significance of lineage and heritage.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Video Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 5 Video Discussions in the course. For each Video Discussion thread, the student will post a 3-5-minute video in response to the provided prompt. The student must then post 2 written replies of at least 250 words each. 

Interview Plan Assignment

The student will set up his/her Ancestry.com account and begin constructing his/her family tree. The student will also set up an interview with at least 1 family member in order to gain better understanding of his/her family history and lineage. A brief description of 50-75 words must be submitted giving basic details of the interviewee along with at least 1 relevant family document or photograph. The student must list at least 3 of his/her planned interview questions. 

Family Tree Assignment

The student will complete the construction of his/her family tree to at least the fifth generation. The student must submit at least 10 documents or photographs that directly pertain to his/her family history. 

Family Narrative Assignment

The student will complete a 6-7-page family narrative paper that brings together the family research that he/she has completed in the course. In addition to the paper, the student must include the completed family tree and all the historical documents or photographs that were used, including those submitted in the Family Tree Assignment. At least 6 sources must be cited, and current Turabian formatting is required. 

Interview Assignment

The student is required to conduct an interview with at least 1 family member and produce a written summary of his/her findings in a 4-5-page paper. At least 2 sources must be cited, and current Turabian format is required.