Oral History Interviewing and Processing

Term: Spring 2022

Date: March 29th, 2022

Time: 10:00am - 11:15am

Location: Torgerson 3310 & Online through Zoom

Instructors: Ren Harmon & Jeff Flanagan

Presented By: University Libraries-Special Collections and University Archives-Center for Oral History at Virginia Tech

Description:

More than just interviewing people with interesting stories, the field of oral history is a complex process of gathering, providing access to, preserving, and interpreting the personal histories, memories, and perspectives of people and communities. Oral history practitioners gather stories from notable alumni, faculty, and staff within the University community, as well as from individuals in less visible and historically marginalized communities. Archivists and librarians make the content accessible and preserve it for generations to come.

In fall 2021, Virginia Tech’s Office of Research and Innovation approved the creation of the Center for Oral History at Virginia Tech. Led by the University Libraries in partnership with the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the VT Carilion School of Medicine, and other stakeholders, the Center is focused on coordinating the creation, dissemination, preservation, and promotion of oral history at Virginia Tech. 

This course will include a brief overview of the field of oral history including pre and post interview practices, training on professional recording equipment, and transcribing and processing of oral history interviews for archival purposes

Take aways from this course are provided in the list below. We desire for students to learn how to do the following:  
-How to schedule and conduct an oral history interview
-How to research interviewees and construct interview questions
-How to use professional audio equipment
-How to transcribe an oral history interview
-How to process and archive an oral history interview