Enrollment options
Optional Print Course Material: Personal Historian: Oral History and Interviewing Techniques
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
A personal historian uses oral history interview techniques to
interview individuals about their lives or those of their family.
Combining the interview, research, and additional items like
photographs and documents, a personal historian can create a
beautiful story for a client. This course will discuss the things
you need to know before specializing in oral histories, how to
prepare for and conduct an interview, and what can be done with
all the materials. Finally, we will learn how to put everything
together and preserve these priceless histories.
Course Length: 7 weeks
MODULE 1
GETTING STARTED IN ORAL HISTORIES
Introduction
Establishing the Business Component
Fee Setting
Contracts and Usage Agreements
Oral History Education and Networking
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Additional Resources
MODULE 2
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW
Get To Know the Client
Create an action plan
Things to Consider When Interviewing
Preliminary Interview & Summary
Preliminary Interview Example
Additional Resources
MODULE 3
CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW
Prior to the Interview
The Day of the Interview
Getting Started and Breaking the Ice
Asking the Questions
Tips for Interviewing
Concluding the Interview
Additional Resources
MODULE 4
SHAPING THE INTERVIEW RESULTS
Why Do We Transcribe & Index Interviews?
Who will Transcribe?
Basics of Transcribing and Indexing
Specifics on Transcribing and Indexing
Editing the Transcript
Additional Resources
MODULE 5
PRODUCTS
Introduction
Oral History Package
Books, Photo books or Scrapbooks
Blogs or Websites
Videos or Audio Recordings
Microsoft Office PowerPoint/Slide Show
Additional Resources
MODULE 6
PRESERVATION AND FINAL THOUGHTS
Introduction
Special Oral History Projects
Preserving the Oral History or Final Product
Continuing Education
Additional Resources