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See below for an overview of weekly topics and key questions.

Weeks 5-6: Oral Histories & OH Project Planning

 

Overview:  During the next two weeks, we will look at oral histories as an approach to studying the voices of people in your local communities who have experienced migration and its impact. We will draw on primary sources, accessing digital collections that contain interviews that recount the lives of those affected by migration. Based on these excerpts and further research in the collections, participants will develop their own interview questions for their oral history projects. You will also identify your migrant community for the project.

Key Questions:

  • What is the definition and purpose of oral history as an approach to conducting research?
  • How is digital oral history different and how do we evaluate it?
  • What are some of the ways that we can collect oral histories?
  • What is the Oral History Association and what can it do for me?
  • What are best practices in conducting oral histories?
  • What is informed consent and why is it required?
Weeks 3-4: Migration Concepts and Migrant Communities

Overview: In weeks three and four, we will gain an introduction to the field of migration studies, and we will explore the history of migration in our respective communities. In addition to readings, we will analyze and discuss digital resources. We will also learn about and practice using digital tools.

Key Questions:

  • What is migration? Who migrates and why?
  • What migration studies terminology should we be familiar with and use?
  • How does migration impact individuals, families, communities, and nation states?
  • What digital resources and tools may be used to document migration?
  • What is the history of migration to our communities?
  • Which communities, contexts and research questions might we explore for the team projects?
Weeks 1-2: Introduction to COPLACDigital Voices of Migration

Overview: In the first two weeks, we will get to know each other and explore what it means to be a part of COPLACDigital. We will learn about our course and digital humanities, examine examples of COPLACDigital projects and student blogs, identify instructional technologists and archivists/special collections librarians on our respective campuses, and establish our individual WordPress blogs.

Key Questions:

  • Who are we and why are we taking this course?
  • What are the course objectives and expectations?
  • What is COPLACDigital? What makes for an effective digital project?
  • What online and human resources are available to support COPLACDigital participants?
  • How will we use technology to support interactive learning and digital scholarship?