HIST 481-01, Cold War in East Asia, Spring 2013

Abstract

Memphis is one of the most fascinating cities in the United States, with a rich and complex history that has not yet been fully explored. In this class, we will help tell that story by conducting oral histories with community members and using them as the foundation for extended research projects. But first, we’ll spend some time talking about the theory and practice of oral history. How and why do historians conduct them? What makes them good or bad? What are the potential pitfalls to avoid? How can we effectively use oral histories in our scholarship? By examining these questions (and others) in a Memphis-specific context, we’ll both enrich their understanding of the historian's process and significantly add to the historical record of Rhodes' home city.