INSTG058 Oral History: from creation to curation

  • MA in Archives & Records Management
  • MA/MSc in Digital Humanities
  • MA in Library & Information Studies
  • MA in Electronic Communication & Publishing
  • MSc in Information Science
  • MRes in Library, Archive & Information Studies
  • Postgraduate students from other programmes (museum studies, cultural heritage, anthropology, history, etc) are also very welcome to take this course if an appropriate part of their study

This module will provide an overview of the theory and practice of oral history from creation to curation for all those interested in creating oral histories or tasked with looking after oral history materials in a digital age. Thematically the module breaks down into six components: the historiography, varieties and applications of oral history; the ethics of oral history; planning and managing an oral history project; conducting successful interviews; after the interview, analyzing and using oral history; curating oral histories, cataloguing and preserving oral history collections. The practice of oral history is best learnt by doing and a significant part of the module will involve the students conducting their own oral history project. Oral History is best understood through practice and doing. The module will include a mixture of conventional classroom teaching, class discussions, collaborative working, visits and guest lecturers as well as actual interviewing experience and reflection will all contribute to the teaching and learning experience. Readings, other resources and online discussions will be conducted through moodle. The class will be expected to reflect critically and sensitively on each other’s practice interviews so that all may learn and improve interview techniques. Students are strongly encouraged to integrate their interview practice with the more theoretical and methodological approaches found in their reading. The suggested assessment exercise is focused on the planning, carrying out and management of a small, practical oral history project.

By the end of the course students should:

  • Understand and be able to demonstrate the benefits and challenges of conducting oral history interviews
  • Have a sound knowledge of the history of oral history and the variety of applications and techniques
  • Be able to plan and accomplish a successful oral history project
  • Understand the important role that oral history can play within wider history projects such as family, organisational, community or elite histories;
  • Be aware of ethical challenges faced by oral historians before, during, and after the interview, and the approaches by which these challenges can be met
  • Have read widely and critically about oral history using journals, books and online materials
  • Have arranged, prepared, recorded, documented, and archived at least three interviews (or one extended life history interview)
  • Be aware of the range of recording technologies and formats available to oral historians and some of challenges they pose
  • Explore the range of possibilities for transcribing, analyzing and using oral history materials
  • Understand the importance of documentation within the oral history project for cataloguing and future use
  • Have an understanding of the different challenges involved in the preservation of oral history materials
  • Be aware of the impact of the internet and digital formats for the use of oral history
  • Be aware of a range of international oral history projects, institutions and associations

This module will be taught on Friday morning in term 2 by Dr Andrew Flinn 

Further information on this module is to found here

Page last modified on 19 sep 12 13:16