You As History Due May 8, 2017, At 5 PM. Assignment: Intervi

You as Historydue May 8, 2017 at 5pm. Assignment: Interview someone in your family (preferably a grandparent or someone older) or someone who is important to you. Ask them a range of questions, asking them about their family history and their personal stories. After your interview, write a 3 page typed (double-spaced 12 point font) paper placing your family story or a particular story in its historical context. Try to think about what historical forces or social structures that began in the nineteenth century are still impacting the story/stories you have chosen to highlight.

The assignment requires conducting an in-depth interview with an older family member or a significant individual in your life to gather personal stories and family history. The goal is to explore how individual experiences are embedded within larger historical contexts, particularly those originating in the nineteenth century, that continue to influence personal narratives today.

Paper For Above instruction

The process begins with formulating thoughtful questions that delve into personal history, social influences, life challenges, and reflections that reveal the person's character and experiences. Such questions might include inquiries about significant influences in their life, memorable moments, challenges faced, regrets, and hopes for future generations. Emphasizing open-ended questions encourages richer, more meaningful responses that go beyond mere facts.

Active and attentive listening during the interview is vital. By being fully present, minimizing distractions, and engaging genuinely, the interviewer fosters a comfortable environment where the interviewee feels valued and willing to share vulnerable and insightful stories. This level of engagement also allows for follow-up questions that deepen understanding and uncover nuances within personal narratives.

While listening attentively, it is essential for the interviewer to participate actively by providing appropriate verbal and non-verbal cues, such as nodding, smiling, or expressing empathy. This participation facilitates a genuine dialogue rather than a mere question-and-answer session, helping to capture the person's personality and life philosophy more authentically.

The core of the assignment involves synthesizing the stories collected into a cohesive three-page paper. This paper should contextualize the individual stories within broader historical developments, particularly those originating in the nineteenth century, and analyze how these forces or social structures continue to shape personal experiences. For instance, if interviewing an ancestor who lived through significant events like the World Wars, the Great Depression, or industrialization, the paper should explore how these macro-historical events influenced their life choices, values, and community dynamics.

In constructing the paper, it is essential to balance the narrative of the personal story with historical analysis. This involves identifying relevant historical themes—such as migration patterns, economic changes, social movements, or technological advancements—and explaining their relevance to the individual's story. Incorporating scholarly references that provide context or theoretical frameworks about personal history and social history enriches the analysis and demonstrates critical engagement with historical scholarship.

The conclusion should reflect on the importance of personal histories as a means to understand broader historical processes. It can also consider what the interview revealed about resilience, cultural continuity, or the persistence of social structures across generations and over long periods.

References

• Hochschild, J. L. (2003). The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling. University of California Press.
• Roth, T. (2004). Memory, History, Divide. Routledge.
• Seixas, P. (2004). "Theorizing Historic Thinking." In National Center for History in the Schools. Guide to Interpreting Historical Sources.
• Steedman, C. (2001). Dust: The Archive and Cultural History. Manchester University Press.
• Trachtenberg, L. (2004). History and Collective Memory. University of Wisconsin Press.
• Zinn, H. (1980). A People's History of the United States. Harper & Row.
• Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books.
• Hartigan, J. (Ed.). (2017). Personal Narratives and the History of Emotions. Routledge.
• Gilroy, P. (1993). The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. Harvard University Press.
• Berlant, L. (2011). Cruel Optimism. Duke University Press.