HISTORY 304 - Introduction to Oral History Methodology

This seminar is designed to explore the field of oral history through both readings and practical experience. It will offer grounding in oral history methodology, including the basics of interview design, effective interviewing techniques, and fundamental legal and ethical issues. It will also provide an introduction to some of the more salient theoretical issues related to oral history, including how oral history functions as historical evidence, issues of social memory, and the narrative construction of life stories. The Spring 2025 class will focus on women of color in Southern California. If allowed by the person interviewed, recordings and transcripts will be archived at Special Collections at the Claremont Colleges Library. Students also have the option to archive their analysis papers from the course. This course fulfills a second language requirement for History PhDs (except for Early Modern Studies), counts towards the SAH American Studies Concentration and some SAH research tool requirements. This course can also serve as a Women and Gender Studies elective and count toward the U.S. and American Studies tracks in the History program.
Units: 4
Course Type: Seminar