Oral History Project

  • Interview Questions
  • Oral History Narrative
  • Oral History Transcript
  • 5 Photographs with CAPTIONS
  • Oral History Permission Form: REQUIRED

Oral History Research Project

Students will select an APPROPRIATE INTERVIEWEE and conduct a two-hour oral history interview of an Asian "adult" living in America. An APPROPRIATE INTERVIEWEE is someone who will CONSENT to the interview, having their interview recorded, transcribed and made available for publication and researchers at the CSUS Library & Ethnic Studies Department. They must be willing to provide photos for the project. 

A. Students will then transcribe the oral history interview and produce a minimum of 5-page, single-spaced transcript--The EXACT requirements will be stipulated by Prof. Sobredo and the class syllabus.

B. Students will then type a minimum of 1,200-word narrative (single-spaced) that encapsulates the contents of the interview--The EXACT requirements will be stipulated by Prof. Sobredo and the class syllabus.

C. Finally, students will provide five (5) photographs (laser, photo-copies reproductions are preferred--the instructor is not responsible for original photographs) that has the appropriate captions & explanations.

D. If the interviewees give their consent, the contents of the interview may be published by Prof. James Sobredo, the Department of Ethnic Studies and the California State University at Sacramento. 

*NOTE: These are SUGGESTED guidelines. The EXACT requirements will be stipulated by Prof. Sobredo and the class syllabus. 

See below for more details and for the appropriate forms. 

Click here for Oral History Interview Guide & Suggested Questions.

  1. Transcript-click here to see online example for the correct format. 
    *Due Date: see class syllabus.

    *NOTE: These are SUGGESTED guidelines. The EXACT requirements will be stipulated by Prof. Sobredo and the class syllabus. 

  2. Oral History Narrative
    Write a 1,200-word narrative (single-spaces (do a word count on your computer and write down the number of words)) that encapsulates the gist of the interview transcripts--The EXACT requirements will be stipulated by Prof. Sobredo and the class syllabus. Write the narrative in first-person singular, autobiographical format--click here to see online example for the correct format. 

    *Due Date: see class syllabus. 

    *NOTE: These are SUGGESTED guidelines. The EXACT requirements will be stipulated by Prof. Sobredo and the class syllabus. 

  3. Photos
    Provide 5 photos (color photo copies) with appropriate captions & explanations (who, what, where, when, why/how). 
    *Due Date: see class syllabus. 

    *NOTE: These are SUGGESTED guidelines. The EXACT requirements will be stipulated by Prof. Sobredo and the class syllabus. 

  4. Oral History Archives and Publication.Finally let your interview know that, if they give us permission, the transcript and oral history interview and photographs may be published by Prof. James Sobredo and the Ethnic Studies Department in the California State University, Sacramento (online archives and multimedia library). Click here for the permission form.