| To
gain deeper understanding of how work shapes the identities of both individuals
and communities, we'll now turn to some real people. At this point, we'll
also connect personal history with the stories, images, and history we've
been studying.
For this project, you may
either research the work lives of three generations of your own family
or, if you prefer not to study your own family, you may work with three
oral histories from the archives of the Youngstown Historical Center for
Labor and Industry or the oral history collection at Maag Library.
Tasks:
-
If you're going to research your
own family, you should conduct interviews with at least 2 family members,
preferably more. We'll talk in class about how to conduct a good interview.
You'll probably want to tape these interviews. You may also want to gather
other kinds of data - photographs, pay stubs, letters, pieces of clothing
- anything that will help you understand what your relatives' work was
like and how it affected their lives. You may include yourself as part
of this study, though (of course) you don't need to interview yourself.
You may, however, want to write some notes about your own work experiences.
-
If you're working with existing
oral histories, select three that come from different perspectives - either
people who differ (by race, ethnicity, gender, type of work they do) or
from different times. You'll find the project much easier if you select
oral histories that are fairly meaty. The Maag collection has a few that
are very short, and these simply won't tell you much. Read the transcripts
and/or view the videotapes, and pay careful attention to the headnotes
which describe who these people are.
-
As you review the data you've
gathered, look for patterns. Then compare these with patterns we've found
in texts and history. How do the stories you've heard in the family or
oral histories confirm what you've already learned? What new themes or
issues emerge?
-
Also identify anything in your
family or oral histories that puzzles you, and see if you can find an explanation
in Who Built America? or other class resources.
-
Write an essay that answers the
following questions:
-
How did people in your family
and/or in Youngstown feel about their work?
-
How did work shape their lives?
You might consider both the experience of everyday life and the long-term
effect of work on someone's entire life.
-
How did work link them with or
divide them from others in the community?
-
How do the work experiences of
the people you're studying compare with the ideas, events, trends, and
issues you've encountered in other course materials - literary texts, images,
and historical information?
Due: April 10 - bring 3 copies
(2 may be anonymous versions, without your name on them)
Note: We will work together
to create the grading criteria for this assignment.
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