Human Rights & Oral History · Institute For Study Of Human Rights
This course was fantastic. It allowed me to see my work as a journalist from the perspective of Oral History, to unpack philosophical questions pertinent to my work and to do this in a safe guided environment. We talked a lot about interviewing people with Trauma, for instance, and I learned that telling ones story provides a kind of rebirth for the person that has suffered trauma. It allows them to re-enter society and ultimately to be seen. Our teacher Zoe is understanding, thoughtful and mindful of everyones needs. She introduced material that was interesting and that went beyond the scope of academic text even bringing in someone who does an oral history podcast to speak to the class. I have only lovely things to say about her and this course.
I learned quite a bit about the global political use of oral history and about some very interesting examples of these undertakings, including its potential risks and shortcomings.
I learned about the use of oral history for human rights advocacy and promotion. We discussed topics of narration, voice, representation, agency, and history. I learned to listen and think with a more critical lens, evaluating the ways in which we hold space and communicate with others.
I learned so much from every class specifically about deep listening, ethics of pursuing oral history in highly politicized research areas, how to combine Oral History and performance, collaboration, and more. I gained bravery, too, learning how to take risks in the Oral History space with true care for my narrators. I learned about global perspectives and histories, their erasure, and how power limits what can be told in certain spaces.
I learned a new way to listen, I learned what oral history means.
Learnt to listen deeply, push myself out of my comfort zone and to sit with distressing and uncomfortable stories. Lots of useful and much needed training from this class!
This course is engaging, exciting, and eye opening. It is great to see human rights being approached tangibly through this medium. Dr. West is the best, she is so knowledgeable of the subject and approaches class conversations with curiosity and openness.
Zoe is here to help you and as long as you try, you will be successful. She is out to help us and does everything she can to make sure we understand the material. She also brings in amazing guest speakers.
You need to be experience the class to know how wonderful it is! The discussions stay with you!
Learned to separate previously learned interview skills from those necessary for oral history projects. Learned about power dynamics in the process, and the necessity for sharing that power.