Oral History Workshop 2025 series syllabus
- samuelalove219
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2
HAMMOND—PORTER—LOWELL
BACK FOR 2025!
My funding was nearly tripled so I decided to offer the series in three different locations.
A special thank you to all of my local partners! Hammond Historical Society, Hammond Public Library, Westchester Public Library, State Senator Rodney Pol, Lowell Public Library, Three Creeks Historical Association, and the Lake County Historical Society & Museum.
ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWING
with Sam Love
This workshop series will teach a complete process for conducting oral history-style interviews. Attendance at each workshop is advised but not mandatory.
This workshop series is a part of the Creative Aging fellowship and is sponsored by Lifelong Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission. Free and open to all.
Dates and Locations:
-Hammond
April 8-May 20 (excluding May 6, Election Day)
Tuesdays at 10am
Hammond Public Library, 564 State St.
-Porter
April 23-May 28
Wednesdays at 1pm
Hageman Branch Library, 100 Frances St.
-Lowell
May 2-June 6
Fridays at 10:30am
Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave.
Workshop leader:
Sam Love
Session Outlines:
WEEK 1 - Introductions and Defining The Topic
Class Plans: Develop clear, concise project topics by streamlining our ideas with respect to time, place, and circumstance.
Skill Building Goal: An introduction to oral history best practices and historical thinking, and developing social research strategies for finding willing and relevant respondents.
Social Engagement Goal: To get to know each other as a class.
Dates/Locations:
Hammond - April 8, 10am
Porter - April 23, 1pm
Lowell - May 2, 10:30am
WEEK 2 - Crafting Open-Ended Questions and Securing Permissions
Class Plans: Craft a set of basic, general, and open-ended questions to share with potential respondents. We will also discuss tips and best practices for engaging with potential respondents, framed around a discussion of ethical considerations.
Skill Building Goal: Learning to craft questions that generate honest, clear, original, and vivid responses. Developing strategies to make the often tricky issue of getting permission to record someone easier.
Social Engagement Goal: To consider ethical manners of engaging with respondents.
Dates/Locations:
Hammond - April 15, 10am
Porter - April 30, 1pm
Lowell - May 9, 10:30am
WEEK 3 - Preparing Your Equipment
Class Plans: Discuss basic AV recording equipment and file storage systems, focused on equipment the group has available.
Skill Building Goal: Learning the basics of current recording equipment, stressing the necessity of having the equipment in working order before the interview, knowing what equipment and materials are useful for conducting a successful interview.
Social Engagement Goal: To have strategies for developing trust and comfort between the interviewer and respondent. To understand potential reservations respondents might have and how to respect that.
Dates/Locations:
Hammond - April 22, 10am
Porter - May 7, 1pm
Lowell - May 16, 10:30am
WEEK 4 - Interviewing
Class Plans: We will discuss best practices and ethical considerations for conducting a successful oral history interview with a special focus on various listening skills: active, critical, empathetic. We will end by discussing the immediate post-interview steps of saving the recording, preparing for transcription, and following-up with the respondent about next steps.
Skill Building Goal: Sharpening our listening skills and situational awareness, applying these in a live interviewing session.
Social Engagement Goal: Same as above, and I always joke that here is where we learn to ask a question and then shut up.
Dates/Locations:
Hammond - April 29, 10am
Porter - May 14, 1pm
Lowell - May 23, 10:30am
WEEK 5 - Transcription and Editing
Class Plans: We will discuss the importance of creating an accurate transcription, with tips and technologies for streamlining this tedious process. We discuss best practices for working with the respondent to create a manuscript from the transcription.
Skill Building Goal: Developing strategies to lessen the burden of transcription while maintaining accuracy. Discussion of current technologies and transcription apps. Basic line and copy editing skills and best practices.
Social Engagement Goal: Stress the importance of continued collaboration with the respondent.
Dates/Locations:
Hammond - May 13, 10am
Porter - May 21, 1pm
Lowell - May 30, 10:30am
WEEK 6 - Preservation and Accessibility
Class Plans: This concluding section discusses options for archiving and publishing the results of an oral history project.
Skill Building Goal: Familiarity with archives and repositories in Northwest Indiana. Understanding of issues around preservation and technology. Knowledge of available publishing options, including self-publishing in print and online.
Social Engagement Goal: Help the student know how to give their work life after the interview is done. Gaining public attention for ones work (if such is desired.)
Dates/Locations:
Hammond - May 20, 10am
Porter - May 28, 1pm
Lowell - June 6, 10:30am
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