Oral History Project: Lesson Plan Overview
1. Introduction: What is Oral History [CSUS]
 TIME = 1 hour (In-class lecture + 10 minutes desk work)
 Follow-up desk exercise (10 mins.): write 5 names of possible subjects
2. Choosing Your Oral History Subject
 Time = 1 hour (In-class exercise: write on computer?)
3. Conducting Oral History Interviews [CSUS]
 TIME = 2 hours (In-class workshop)
 1st hour
o review of oral history (20 minutes)
o explain the structure & mechanics of an oral history interview
nd
 2 Hour
o demonstration of oral history interview
o Discussion, questions, clarifications
4. Conducting the Interview
 TIME = 2 weeks (Outside class activity)
 Week 1: Signing of the Consent Form & Basic Biographical Questions
1. CSUS students will stop by on Monday to answer questions
2. Students should report on their experience/progress
 Week 2: Special Topics
1. CSUS students will stop by on Monday to answer questions
2. Students should report on their experience/progress
 Safety Net: If students fail to conduct Basic Bio Questions on Week 1, they
can do the entire interview on Week 2.
5. Typing the Transcript
 TIME: 4 hours (2 long sessions)
 In-class exercise: done on computers
o CSUS students will stop by to provide assistance
6. Composing the Narrative
 TIME = 2 hours (In-class exercise)
 Once the transcript is done, they can start constructing the Oral History
Narrative
7. Presenting & Publishing the Project
 TIME = 2 weeks for interview subjects to return transcripts
 Creating Poster Board Displays (2 hours or as needed, in-class)
1. Take transcript home & have interview subject “review” transcript &
narrative
2. Bring back 3 photographs of the person: scan photos in class
3. Present Project on a Poster Board: need materials!
4. CSUS students will provide assistance
 Public presentation