HIST 4401--Theory and Practice of Oral History Dr. Keith S.

Hebert University of West

Georgia
Course Description
This course introduces students to the philosophy, ethics, and practice of oral history with
specific training in interview and transcription techniques and the use of oral history in
historical research and analysis. This course will also include instruction on the archival
collection, preservation, description, and digitization of oral history interviews.
Course Objectives
This course will improve a student’s analytical and organizational skills, research
methods, and writing through the act of completing an oral history project. Students will
familiarize themselves with the major theoretical debates among practitioners of oral
history and learn to evaluate, analyze, and critique those existing debates. Students will
learn how to effectively plan, research, record, interpret, and present oral history.
Students will also improve their ability to share their knowledge of their assigned
readings with both the course professor and the class through various group exercises and
written assignments. Students will develop their ability to provide construction criticism
to fellow classmates. Students will acquire the ability to archive oral history collections.
Students with Disabilities
Students who have a disability that interferes with their course performance must discuss
their circumstances with the course professor as soon as possible.
Required Textbooks
Yow, Valerie. Recording Oral History: A Guide for the Humanities and Social
Sciences. 2nd Edition. AltaMira Press, 2005.
Perks, Robert. Oral History Reader. 2nd Edition. Routledge Press, 2006.
Mackay, Nancy. Curating Oral Histories: From Interview to Archives. Left Coast
Press, 2006.
Montell, William Lynwood. Saga of Coe Ridge: A Study in Oral History.
Course Policies
Students must record interviews for the oral history project during the semester.
Interviews recorded prior to the start of the semester will not count toward your
minimum number of interviews for the semester.
Students may not turn in work prepared in previous classes for credit in this course.
All work must have been completed during this semester.
Students must actively participate in class. Class participation evidences a student’s
preparation and completion of assigned readings. Students who regularly do not
participate in class will receive a failing grade for the semester. Active
participation is defined by completion of all reading assignments prior to the start
of class; demonstrating orally the comprehension of those reading assignments;
interacting with other students during various group assignments; asking
appropriate questions; turning in assignments on time; etc. The course professor
will inform students when their participation is not meeting expectations.
Course Assessments
Group Oral History Project--50 percent of final course
grade
Every student will plan and implement an oral history project as part of a group. On the
first day of class I will assign everyone a group. Students must remain in their assigned
group. The group will be responsible for completing a variety of assignments and
ultimately creating an oral history project. Sometimes students will submit their work
individually, sometimes you will submit your work as a group. Every student will
conduct a minumum of two in-depth interviews for their group project. Below are the
various assignments that will be completed as part of the group oral history project.
I. Project Proposal
This assignment will be submitted as a group. A draft proposal should be brought to
the third class meeting. A final proposal should be brought to class on the fourth
class meeting.
Each group will submit a three-page (700 word minimum) proposal that addresses the
following questions in a narrative description:
a. What is the scope of your project?
b. How does your interview relate to existing oral history projects?
c. What is the need for this project?
d. Who do you plan to potentially interview as part of this project?
i. You may not have identified specific narrators by the start of week three but you
should indicate who might be an ideal interviewee and how you plan to select/
contact your interviewees.
e. What secondary sources do you plan to consult prior to conducting your
interview? Every student should consult at least three secondary sources prior to
conducting their interview.
f. How do you plan to record your interview? (analog, digital, video recording,
etc.)
g. How do you plan to make this research available to larger audiences?
II. Project Proposal Class Presentation
Each group will deliver a 10-15 minute presentation (these presentations will be
timed in order to allow enough time for everyone to present during our normal
class period).
Your presentation should relate your interview/research.
Your presentation should identify who you intend to potentially interview and why
you have selected this person to interview. If you do not know who you will
interview you will need to provide the class with a description of who you would
like to interview, why you would interview this person, and how you intend to
contact this person to schedule an interview.
Your presentation should also include a brief mention of potential secondary sources
that will aid your research.
Groups will be graded according to the delivery of their presentation (practice
beforehand and it is best if you have memorized your presentation); the
professional quality of your presentation (did the presentation effectively convey
 your project’s goals); the content of your presentation (did you successfully
achieve what was expected in this assignment).
III. Interview Guides
Each member of the group will create an interview guide that will aid in preparation
for their first interviews. Everyone is required to create an interview guide.
Students should consult the sample Interview Guide that is Appendix A in the Valerie
Yow Recording Oral History text. Chapter two of that book also contains a
detailed description of an interview guide’s purpose and format.
IV. Release Forms
All in-depth interviews must have a signed release form.
Students will use the release form created by the UWG Center for Public History
In-depth interviews that do not have completed release forms will receive a failing
grade.
V. Record Interviews
All in-depth interviews must be recorded. Students have a variety of options in
choosing the type of recording technology: analog, digital, video, etc.
Students must consult with the course professor about their selection prior to
completing their first in-depth interview.
Poorly recorded interviews will receive a lower final grade.
Students may check-out analog recorders from the Center for Public History on a
limited, first-come-first-serve basis. The course professor will bring reservation
sheets to each class. Students are responsible for any damages incurred to a
Center for Public History recording device while it is in their custody. Students
who lose or mistreat equipment will receive a failing grade for the semester and
will be charged for the cost of replacing/ repairing the damaged or missing
recorders. Students may wish to purchase an analog recorder from retailers such
as Radio Shack or Amazon.com. If you are considering a career in a public history
related field it is recommended that you purchase your own recorder.
All in-depth interviews should be at least 45 minutes in length.
Two copies of every recording will be turned in at the end of the semester.
Students are responsible for scheduling times and locations for their interviews.
Every student must record a minimum of 2 in-depth interviews.
VI. Biographical Information Sheets
Every in-depth interview should have a completed “Biographical Information Sheet”
that will be turned in along with the two copies of that interview.
Students will use the “Biographical Information Sheet” created by the Center for
Public History.
In-depth interviews that do not have a completed “Biographical Information Sheet”
will receive a failing grade.
VII. Transcription
Students are required to transcribe one of the two in-depth interviews completed
during the semester.
The transcription should adhere to the professional standards described in Chapter 11
and Appendix J of Valerie Yow’s Recording Oral History.
Microsoft Word is the preferred word processing program.
Students should make copies of their interviews prior to starting any transcription.
 Recordings can often be damaged during the transcription process and it is wise to
transcribe using a copy of the interview rather than the original recording.
Transcriptions should be free of errors and must be complete in order to receive a
passing grade.
The Center for Public History has several transcription machines that can be used to
transcribe cassette tapes. Students who wish to use these machines must reserve
them on a first-come-first-serve basis from the course professor. Students are
responsible for any damages that incur during use. If lost or damaged the student
will be held financially responsible for the machine’s replacement or repair cost.
Students may purchase transcription machines from retailers such as Radio Shack
or Amazon.com.
Students must turn in two copies of the transcription.
VIII. Summaries
Every in-depth interview must have a one-page summary that describes the scope and
content of each interview. A sample summary will be provided by the course
professor.
Students should turn in two copies of each summary.
IX. Group Project Paper
Each group will prepare a 5-7 page research paper that incorporates the findings of
your oral history project. Additional instructions/ guidelines will be provided in
class. The final paper is due on the final day of class during the final exam period.
You will submit this paper as a group.
X. Final Class Presentation
Each group will deliver a 30 minute presentation that highlights your in-depth
interviews.
Your presentation should demonstrate your group's oral history research.
Students must practice their presentations prior to the start of class. Student
presentations will be strictly timed and limited to 30 minutes.
Students should treat this presentation as a practice run for presenting a similar
project at a scholarly conference. Students should dress professionally and deliver
their presentation in a professional manner.
5. If you wish to use audio-visual equipment during your presentation you must
consult with the course professor at least one week prior to your presentation.
Analytical Book Review, Saga of Coe Ridge--10 percent
of final course grade
Students will prepare a 3-4 page analytical review essay of Saga of Coe Ridge.
Essays must analyze the author's use of oral history and research methods.
Additional instructions for this assignment will be provided in class.
Students must complete this assignment. Failure to complete this assignment will
result in a failing grade for the course.
Weekly Reading Response Papers--20 percent of final
course grade
Students will complete assigned readings for each class period. Students must write a
two-page, single spaced, reaction paper every week. The response paper is due 24
 hours prior to the start of class (Tuesday evening by 7:00 PM). Response papers
should be emailed to khebert@westga.edu
Response papers should analyze portions of this week’s assigned readings. Students
should also include at least five questions for general discussion that might be
discussed during class.
Students must turn in a reading response paper every week. Failure to hand in a
weekly assignment will result in a failing grade for this portion of the course.
Class Participation and Assignments--20 percent of final
course grade
Students are required to attend every class. Students are required to complete all
assigned readings and assignments prior to the start of class. Students are
expected to actively participate in class discussions. Students who do not verbally
participate in class discussions will receive a failing grade for the semester. If a
student does not speak in class the course professor will call upon that student
during discussions in order to force them to participate.
Students must participate in class. Students who do not participate will be called
upon by the course professor. Repeated failure to prove that you are prepared for
class will result in a failing grade for the semester.
Students will complete a number of assignments during class. These assignments will
be graded and considered part of your overall class participation grade.