HIST 504 Oral History

This course equips the student with essential skills in collecting and interpreting first-hand testimonies, a vital aspect of public history that brings personal perspectives to the historical narrative. Through understanding oral history methodologies, the student can more effectively engage with diverse narratives and preserve them, enhancing the authenticity and depth of historical interpretation and presentation.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

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

Discussions (3)

Research Paper Assignments (2)

Research Paper: Topic Selection Assignment

For the Research Paper: Topic Selection Assignment, the student will write a one-paragraph statement of his or her research topic and pose a research question. The student will present why this topic is of historical significance, and how he or she can contribute to the historiography.

Research Paper Assignment

The student will write a full 10-12-page research paper on the graduate-level topic selected in the Research Paper: Topic Selection Assignment, but he or she must utilize oral history sources as a primary source base for the paper. The student can use his or her own interviews or the recorded interviews of other scholars as the source base for the paper. The student should formulate a strong and precise research question to help guide his or her research. The student should use correct Turabian formatting, with citations, and include a bibliography at the end of the research paper. The cover page and the bibliography will not count toward the required page total.

Oral History Interview and Analysis Assignment

The student will ask one person he or she knows who has a remarkable story to tell and conduct an oral interview with them. This could be a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor, etc. The interview must be recorded either with audio or video technology, and it must be at least 45-60 minutes long in duration. The student will submit the following: 10 questions prepared for the interviewee, notes consisting of 1000 words minimum (not a term paper – just notes), a self-assessment of 600-800 words, and a copy of a legal release signed by the interviewer and interviewee.

Oral History Analysis Assignments (2)

In this course, the student will write two Oral History Analysis Assignments. This analyses will cover Harlan County, USA by Kopple and the Freedom Flyers text by Moye. Each assignment should identify the author or director and the main argument of the assigned history piece. Each analysis should focus on how the author or director uses oral history to support his or her arguments throughout the work. How well does the author or director make his or her argument and are his or her methods sound? Each Oral History Analysis Assignment should be a full 4-5 pages in length, double-spaced, and use current Turabian citation style.