FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Arts and Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT AND HISTORY

FALL 2003

COURSE SYLLABUS: HIST323

ORAL HISTORY

3 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

Instructor's Name: Dr. Dianne White Oyler

Office Location: JKSA 115 Office Phone: 672-1946

Office Hours: Wednesday 2-4 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-9:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.--Noon; Tuesday through Thursday 2-4 p.m. OR BY APPOINTMENT

Alternate phone: Department Secretary Ms. Lashley 672-1573

E-Mail: doyler@uncfsu.edu

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Oral History is a study of the process by which historians reconstruct the past by using oral testimony. As a part of this study, students conduct historical research utilizing oral history techniques including interview and transcription of oral testimony, the verification of oral testimony with the existing written record, and the written narrative based on the materials produced. The course will be divided into two parts: learning different techniques and observing the products of those techniques and choosing techniques and applying them to a personal oral history project.

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to analyze change and continuity overtime, organize historical evidence, and ask and answer critical questions about the past. The student will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of people and events across time, to be used as building blocks for critical interpretation and understanding of the past. In addition, a student will be able to identify the enduring themes of the historical experience and discuss history as a discipline. Moreover, the student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the historical role of both common and diverse cultural traditions that constitute African civilizations. Finally, the student will be able to illustrate the cultural products that past societies have regarded as aesthetically pleasing and the ways in which they were produced.

III. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

.Hoopes, James. Oral History: An Introduction for Students. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1979.

TEXTS BASED ON ORAL HISTORY TECHNIQUES:

Barnes, Virginia Lee and Janice Boddy. Aman: The Story of a Somali Girl. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.

Hampton, Henry and Steve Fayer. Voices of Freedom: An Oral History of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950's through the 1980's. New York: Bantam Books, 1990.

ALTERNATE:    Lawrence, Kenneth R. Oral History, Complete Guide to Interviewing and Transcription.Shreveport, LA: Archival Services, Inc. Red River Press, 1996.

REQUIRED READINGS: There are readings cited in the syllabus for specific issues not covered in the texts.

IV. BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES (and DPI HISTORY COMPETENCIES)

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to analyze change and continuity overtime, organize historical evidence, and ask and answer critical questions about the past. The student will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of people and events across time, to be used as building blocks for critical interpretation and understanding of the past. In addition, a student will be able to identify the enduring themes of the historical experience and discuss history as a discipline. Moreover, the student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the historical role of both common and diverse cultural traditions that constitute African civilizations. Finally, the student will be able to illustrate the cultural products that past societies have regarded as aesthetically pleasing and the ways in which they were produced.

STUDENT OUTCOMES: Students who complete this course with a grade of C will Demonstrate through critical analysis in the written assignments and exams knowledge about the process of oral history and

Define the basic concepts and techniques used in oral history ( DPI 1.5)

Analyze the differences between oral history techniques and traditional approaches to historical materials (DPI 1.5)

Analyze audio and video taped interviews; (DPI 1.1, 1.3, 1.4)

Describe the importance of context in oral research; (DPI 1.2, 1.5)

Develop a research plan for an oral interview as historical research; (DPI 1.1, 1.3, 1.4)

Conduct an interview and transcribe the materials; (DPI 1.5)

Write a paper based on the interview and its relation to a specific historical topic. (DPI 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5)

1. Grades will be based on One Examination, Group Work + Oral Presentation, Writing Assignments, and class participation.

EXAMS will be based on material presented both in class and in the required reading. The format of the exams will be short answer/identification and essay questions. Exams will be written in a BLUE BOOK which should be purchased at the FSU Book Store.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: focus on developing a research plan, interview package including questions and taped interview, verification with written sources, an outline, and a written document

NOTE: YOU SHOULD NEVER MISS A SCHEDULED EXAM OR ORAL PRESENTATION. UNLESS THE ABSENCE IS EXCUSED WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION, THE MAKE-UP EXAM GRADE WILL BE REDUCED BY ONE LETTER GRADE AS A PENALTY FOR ABSENCE. MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.

 

SPECIAL NOTE ON ACADEMIC HONESTY:

Students should be aware that a university is a community of scholars committed to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge and truth. Without the freedom to investigate all materials, scrupulous honesty in reporting findings, and proper acknowledgment of credit, such a community can not survive. Students are expected to adhere to the highest traditions of scholarship. Any infractions of these traditions, such as plagiarism, are not tolerated. Though we do not anticipate any such occurrence, for the record, misrepresenting someone else’s words or ideas as one’s own, constitutes plagiarism. In cases where plagiarism occurs, the instructor has the right to penalize the student(s) as he or she thinks appropriate. One guide line holds that the first offence = failure of the assignment; the second offence = failure of the course.

Grades and their numerical equivalents are as follows:

Numerical Limits Letter Grade

92 and above A

83 - 91 B

73 - 82 C

64 - 72 D

63 and below F

2. INSTRUCTOR POLICIES

a. MAKE-UP WORK

1. EXAMS: Unless the absence is excused with proper documentation, the make-up exam grade with be reduced by one letter grade as a penalty for absence. Make-up exams are at the sole discretion of the instructor. Missed exams caused by an excused absence must be made up WITHIN ONE WEEK unless illness or emergency necessitates a longer absence from school.

2. Missed due date of the assignment. This applies to writing assignments--SUBTRACT ONE LETTER GRADE.

3. No make-up work will be accepted the last week of classes.

Extra credit may be earned through cultural reaction papers turned in with the exam.

 

VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Assignments:

Assignments for this class will include reading, writing, and special projects. Readings may be assigned not only from the text, but also from photocopied materials and library books. Attendance at certain cultural functions may also be required. Students are responsible for all work assigned in this class, whether or not they are present. Assignments are expected to be completed on time, and written assignments such as papers must be typed. Short quizzes may be given on assigned materials at any time. You will receive the directions for specific assignments separately.

Attendance and Punctuality:

Students are responsible for material covered and assignments.

Class Participation:

All students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned material, so it is important to complete all the assigned readings before coming to class. Any student may, at any time, be called upon to recite or to write a short essay on the assigned material. Short quizzes may be given on assigned materials at any time. Students are expected to understand the material, or at least have identified those items that they do not yet understand in order to ask question in class. The instructor will assume that students know the material and are prepared to discuss it. Students are responsible for all work assigned in this class, whether or not they are present. Assignments must be completed on time.

Students are expected to observe normal courtesy in class. They are expected to pay attention to the instructor, to take detailed notes, to refrain from personal conversations, and to avoid any other behavior which is disruptive and disturbing to others. A student who does not observe these courtesies may be asked to leave the room.  This course is designed to help improve your proficiency in note-taking, library skills, logical and analytical thinking and writing, and critical evaluation.

VII. TEACHING STRATEGIES

The mode of presentation for the course will be lecture, student led discussion, and general discussion. There will be opportunities for cooperative learning. I encourage peer teaching and recommend students to work together through study groups. I want to emphasize the critical analysis of data--information you read and see on film/video and the communication of your ideas supported by facts. While these skills are important to the course work at hand, they are most important in your life’s work where you read, listen, evaluate, articulate, communicate your understanding, ideas, and opinions on a daily basis. These activities will give you practice in these areas.

AUG 21      INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE AND RESEARCH PROJECT

                    LOCAL HISTORY:  "Desegregation of Fayetteville Schools"

AUG 28    RESEARCH AT THE STATE AND LOCAL  HISTORY COLLECTION, 2ND FLOOR,     

                    FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, DOWNTOWN BRANCH

PART I: LEARNING THE PROCESS

SEPT 2                         SPEAKER:  Mr. Charles Broadwell

SEPT 4, 9, 11               DISCUSSION: Definitions, Themes, Case Studies as examples,

                                      Required Reading: Hoopes, Chapters 12 & 13

Required Readings: Hoopes, Chapters 1-5

DISCUSSION: REMINISCENCES AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT/VERIFICATION

SEPT 16-23                         THE MECHANICS

Required Readings: Hoopes, Chapters 6-11

SEPT 25                       GROUP WORK:  WRITING PROPOSALS & WRITING QUESTIONNAIRE

SEPT 30-OCT 2                 ONE EXAMPLE

Required Reading:

Barnes, Virginia Lee and Janice Boddy. Aman: The Story of a Somali Girl. New York: Vintage Books, 1995. :

WRITING ASSIGNMENT: ONE PAGE RESEARCH PROPOSAL DUE 9/30

OCT 7-9                         ANOTHER EXAMPLE

Hampton, Henry and Steve Fayer. Voices of Freedom: An Oral History of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950's through the 1980's. New York: Bantam Books, 1990.

OCT 14                         EXAM #1

OCT 21                     DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

WRITING ASSIGNMENT: SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE 10/21

WRITING ASSIGNMENT: PROPOSED QUESTIONNAIRE DUE 10/21

OCT 23-30                     DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

                                                                FIELD WORK

NOV 4-6                         DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

                                                            FIELD WORK

NOV 11-13                         DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

                                                            FIELD WORK

WRITING ASSIGNMENT: ROUGH DRAFT OF PAPER DUE 11/18

NOV 18-15                     DISCUSSIONS AND DEBRIEFING

NOV 27                            THANKSGIVING

PAPER DUE 12/2

VI. REFERENCES

Barber, Russell J. Doing Historical Archaeology: Exercises Using Documentary, Oral, and Material Evidence. 1994.

Bingham, Barry and Samuel W. Thomas (Editors). Barry Bingham : A Man of His Word (Kentucky Remembered : An Oral History Series). 1993

Blaeser, Kimberly M. Gerald Vizenor : Writing in Oral Tradition 1996.

Brown, Cynthia Stokes. Like It Was: A Complete Guide to Writing Oral History. New York: Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 1988 ISBN 0915924129

Brown, Milli, et al. How to Interview a Sleeping Man

Duffey, Barbara. Banshees, Bugles and Belles : True Ghost Stories of Georgia. 1997

Evans, George Ewart and David Gentleman (Editor). Crooked Scythe: An Anthology of Oral History . 1995

Geldof, Lynn. Cubans : Voices of Change. 1992.

Gioglio, Gerald R. Days of Decision : An Oral History of Conscientious Objectors in the Military During the Vietnam War. 1989 .

Honey, Michael Keith. Black Workers Remember : An Oral History of Segregation, Unionism, and the Freedom Struggle (George Gund Foundation Book in African American Studies). 1999.

Hoopes, James. Oral History: An Introduction for Students. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1979. ISBN 0-8078-1344-3

Howarth, Ken. Oral History: A Handbook. UK: Sutton Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0-7509-1756-3

Ives, Edward D. The Tape-Recorded Interview: A Manual for Fieldworkers in Folklore and Oral History

Jacobson, Kenneth. Embattled Selves : An Investigation into the Nature of Identity Through Oral Histories of Holocaust Survivors. 1994 .

Lawrence, Kenneth R. (Compiler) Oral History the Complete Guide to Interviewing and Transcription. Shreveport, LA: Archival Services, 1996. ISBN0-910653-30-5

McMahan, Eva M. and Ronald J. Grele (Designer) Elite Oral History Discourse : A Study of Cooperation and Coherence (Studies in Rhetoric and Communication). 1989.

Patai, Daphne and Sherna B. Gluck, (Editors) Women’s Words: The Feminist Practice of Oral History

Perkes, Robert and Alistair Thomson (Editors). The Oral History Reader

Richard, Paul and Thompson. The Voice of the Past: Oral History

Ritchie, Donald A. Doing Oral History (Twayne’s Oral History, No. 15). 1994

Rosenbluth, Vera. Keeping Family Stories Alive: Discovering and Recording the Stories and Reflections of a Lifetime

Seligman, Marc A. Preserving Family Memories: A Guide to Creting Oral Histories. 1997

Stave, Bruce M. et al. From the Old Country : An Oral History of European Migration to America. 1999