ABSTRACT
Oral history was greeted with both enthusiasm and extreme skepticism when it emerged in the mid-1900s. Oral history emphasizes the use of live primary sources in the creation of historical narratives. This chapter provides an overview of the field of oral history. It traces the field's emergence and evolution and highlights some of the unique methodological aspects of oral history. The chapter presents examples of oral history projects conducted by undergraduate researchers and a list of useful resources. Oral history developed alongside public history and was deeply influenced by social and cultural historians. The chapter presents examples of how undergraduate researchers incorporated oral history into their historical work.
