HIST5984: Oral History Theroy, Method & Practice

History Department
Dr. Beverly Bunch-Lyons

Course Hours

Thursdays 7.00-9.45pm

Course Overview

This course introduces you to oral history as a significant qualitative research method. You will learn the methodological techniques of the craft, special characteristics, and uses. While the emphasis is on practice, we will also explore theoretical, legal, and ethical issues. Each student will engage in a research project that entails the entire process of oral history from beginning to end. You will conceptualize your project, conduct the research and interviews, transcribe, edit, and evaluate your work.

Grading

• 25% Reading Analysis Notes: 2-3 page critique of specific reading assignments.
• 12.5% Discussion Facilitator: one 30 minute presentation of weekly reading.
• 12.5% Participation: course preparation and active participation.
• 25% Research Project Components.
• 25% Final Project.

Research Project Components

1. Project Description: write a 1-2 page description of your research project.
2. Interview Questions: prepare and present a list of the questions you intend to ask your interviewees (we will review these in class).
3. Critique: write a one-page critique of the in-class interview you received.
4. Transcription: transcribe 10 minutes of one of the interviews you conducted for your research project.
5. Annotated Bibliography: compile a list of the sources you intend to use for your research project.

Final Project

Choose a topic that is of interest to you. After preliminary research write a brief description (1-2 pages) of the topic you intend to research. Conduct a literature review of primary and secondary sources on your topic and create a working annotated bibliography. Identify a minimum of three possible individuals to interview about your topic. These interviews will form the basis of the work you perform in the course.

Your final research project should be 12-15 pages in length, and incorporate the interviews you conducted.

Bibliography

The following books can be used along the course:

• S. Berger, Sherna and P. Daphne, Women’s Words: The Feminist Practice of Oral History, Routledge, 1991.
• K. C. Charmaz, Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis, Sage Publication Ltd., 2006.
• D. A. Ritchie, Doing Oral History, Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2003.
• C. Thomas, Handbook of Oral History, AltaMira Press, 2006.
• P. Thompson, Voice of the Past, Oxford University Press, 3rd edition, 2000.

as well as the following articles:

• Evidence, Empathy and Ethics: Lessons from Oral History of the Klan, Journal of American History, Vol. 80, No.2 (September, 1993), pp 596-606.
• Oral History and the History of the Civil Rights Movement, Journal of American History, Vol. 75, No. 2 (September, 1988).
• Power and Memory in Oral History, Journal Of American History, Vol. 75, No. 4 (March 1989), pp 1201-1221.
• Videohistory: Focusing on the American Past, The Journal of American History, Vol. 80, No.2 (September 1991), pp 618-627.

Published by Julián Urbano on January 1 of 2007