Oral Histories and Archives
HIST-LIT 93AG
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
To understand the archive is to understand history: neither is neutral, homogenous, nor fully representative of any one story. Indeed, many scholars argue that archives aren’t repositories for objective truths but rather political and epistemological projects that have the power to suppress certain voices—or liberate them. How can we make sense of the archive in a way that counters historical silences? And how might oral histories fill in gaps left by archival negations? This course introduces students to theories, practices and controversies of the archive and oral history methodologies, with the goal of creating what the scholar Marianne Hirsch calls “countermemories,” representations of the past that unearth ignored or disruptive material. Readings include interdisciplinary writing by feminist, anti-racist, and anti-colonial scholars demonstrating a range of approaches, as well as primary sources like historical documents and novels that incorporate archival materials to reimagine the past, present, and future. We will also work with Schlesinger Library’s archival collections, community-based archives and digitized oral histories, and practice oral history interviews of our own. At semester’s end, students will conduct original research on a topic of their choice using archival materials and oral histories collected earlier in the semester.
Class Notes
Interested students should petition to enroll on my.harvard. In your petition, say a few words about your interest in the course (including concentrations you are considering if you are undeclared), any requirement the course may satisfy, and whether you have taken any other History & Literature seminars. Please contact the instructor if you have any questions.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
