Course overview
This two-part course provides an initial training for those who wish to use in-depth interviewing in their research work, and an opportunity for reflection for those who are already using this approach. There are two sessions on consecutive days. At the end of the first day students will record an interview, which will be evaluated during the second session.
The course provides both a practical start and also a discussion of the life history and oral history approaches to social research and the problems in the interpretation of such interviews.
Course trainer
The course will be led by Professor Paul Thompson, who has pioneered the development of life story and oral history interviewing for social research in this country. He is Emeritus Professor in Social History at the University of Essex, founder of the National Life Story Collection at the British Library, founder-editor of Oral History, and author of the definitive work on the subject, The Voice of the Past. His other books include The Edwardians; Living the Fishing; I Don't Feel Old; and Growing Up In Stepfamilies; and as co-editor, The Myths We Live By and Between Generations. His most recent book is Jamaican Hands Across the Atlantic.
Important: Participants are asked to bring a voice recorder or cassette tape recorder (battery-operated). Participants must attend both days.
Programme
Thursday 10 May 2012 (Day 1 of 2)
10.30-11.30 Introduction: the potential of life story/oral history interviews in social research
11.30-12.30 Choosing who to interview; ethics and copyright
12:30-14:00 Lunch Break (Lunch is not provided as part of the course, but there are many places to eat on campus)
14.00-15.00 How to interview and how to construct an interview guide
15.00-17.00 Practical interviewing session in which you record your own interviews in pairs.
This willl be evaluated in the second session on the following day.
Friday11 May 2012 (Day 2 of 2)
10.30-13.00 Evaluating interviews conducted on the previous day
13:00-14:30 Lunch Break 'Lunch is not provided as part of the course, but there are many places to eat in the vicinity of the building'
14.30-15.30 Documentation, archiving and forms of publication; issues of memory
15.30-16.30 Interpreting in-depth interviews
Two key books
- Ken Plummer, Documents of Life: An Introduction to the Problems and Literature of a Humanistic Method, London, 1983 etc
- Paul Thompson, The Voice of the Past, Oxford University Press, third edition 2000
Target Audience
The course is aimed at researchers, especially those in the social, economic, educational and medical sciences, PhD students, and those engaged in research in the public and third sectors.
Course fee
- Commercial, local and central government organisations: £360
- UK Higher Education staff or registered charities: £240
- UK-registered PhD students: £120.00
- Essex Staff: £120.00
- Essex Sociology Staff and Associated Units: £50.00 (Returnable deposit upon attandance of the course)
- University of Essex PhD students: £30.00 Administration Fee (Non refundable)
If participants wish to cancel their booking, they will receive a full refund for the course fee provided they cancel with no less than 1 month notice. No refunds can be given after this time. In the event we are forced to cancel the course, participants will receive a full refund of any course fees paid. Please note that participants will not be reimbursed for any associated costs incurred, including travel and accommodation.
How to apply
To book: http://www.essex.ac.uk/online_shop/sociology/short_courses/
or contact esc@essex.ac.uk
Ticket information:
This event is open to the general public.