How do community archives impact what and how we remember? What is possible when communities whose histories have been ignored, silenced, or erased have the training and tools to tell their own stories?
In this program, we will explore how community media and community archives contribute to the construction of counternarratives and build collective agency within communities. We will explore the ethical questions inherent in producing media while learning relational practices for working with communities. Drawing from theories of popular education and the fields of oral history, folklore, and digital justice, we’ll consider how knowledge is gained and shared within and between communities. Case studies (i.e. Wa Na Wari, Los Herederos, Voice of Witness, and others), films, podcasts, and texts will inform our work.
Students will learn oral history interviewing, audio field recording, audio editing, transcription, and basic composition for still photography. We will partner with local community archives to help grow their collections by conducting oral history interviews and preparing them for archiving. Archive projects range from the local music scene, LGBTQIAS2+ history, food and agricultural traditions, and organizing efforts to support our local houseless community. Students document their learning through ongoing reflective writing in response to program texts, guest speakers, and media workshops and projects.
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
4 - History & Archives
2 - Community-Based Learning
2 - Audio Production
Registration
Academic Details
Media, Museums, Archives
Required $100 media lab fee