Oral History Methods, Theories, and Practices

4 hours; 4 credits. A seminar in oral history methods, theories, and practices, with a focus on the skills and perspectives needed to undertake applied oral historical research and writing. The course introduces students to the central contributions and challenges of oral history, a discipline of widespread use in public history projects. Topics to be addressed include: ethics and legal issues in oral historical research; Institutional Review Boards; the narrator-interviewer interaction; digital technology; translation of the oral text into a written document; the ethics of interpreting the interview testimony; archival repositories for oral testimonies; the role of the community in the dissemination and reception of oral historical projects. As part of the course, students will carry out at least one oral history interview. Prerequisites: Admission to the History MA Program or the Advanced Certificate in Public History Program, or permission of the Coordinator of the History MA Program

026875