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Students' use of Northamptonshire Black History Association archives as an inspiration to recognise, include and develop oral history as a functional methodology

Watley, G. (2009) Students' use of Northamptonshire Black History Association archives as an inspiration to recognise, include and develop oral history as a functional methodology. Paper presented to: History of Education Society UK, Sheffield, 04-06 December 2009. (Unpublished)

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Abstract: Oral history is increasingly being used to research diverse areas of history, overwhelmingly of marginalized people and/or subjects underserved by traditional historical paradigms. The collaboration of Northamptonshire Black History Association (NBHA) and University of Northampton (UN) has led to the development and increasing use of oral history by students in the UN module, Special Study of Black British History with the pre-requisite of taking the Black British History module. These modules are open to both full-time university students, as well as any member of the community wishing to take these modules. The main lecturer, as well as guest lecturers from NBHA, both inform students about the nature of the archives and the use of oral history as a methodology to develop areas of local history research. This paper will simultaneously address how students from diverse backgrounds use this methodology as well as how prior experiences with education shape student conceptions of using oral history. Students have used the materials and resources developed by the NBHA as both an inspiration to methodologically employ oral history, as well as developing novel areas of research. Understanding how oral history has been, and is being used, helps students to redefine historical knowledge space to include this methodology. This paper will address how students use prior NBHA research to assist and inspire them in creating projects for their undergraduate studies regardless of prior education
Uncontrolled Keywords: Oral history, Black British, collective memory, historical memory, archives
Subjects: D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D16 Study and teaching
D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > DA90 Antiquities. Social life and customs. Ethnography > DA125 Racial groups. Race relations
D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > DA670 Local history and description > DA670.N7 Northamptonshire
D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D16.14 Oral history
Creators: Watley, George
Corporate Creators: The University of Northampton , Northamptonshire Black History Association (NBHA)
Funders or Sponsors: Arts and Humanities Research Council
Northamptonshire and East Midlands: Social Issues
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > History
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > History
Date: 6 December 2009
Date Type: Presentation
Event Title: History of Education Society UK
Event Dates: 04-06 December 2009
Event Location: Sheffield
Event Type: Conference
Language: English
Status: Unpublished
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/2391

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