Popularity of oral histories has been increasing since the mid 20th century when they were used as a research tool to discover the stories of the people behind the labor and political movements of the time. The content of oral history interviews is grounded in reflections on the past as opposed to commentary on purely contemporary events. Oral history can refer to a method of recording and preserving oral testimony and to the product of that process. A successful oral history programs require goals, procedures, and training as well as a plan for access to the interview’s content. The class will also cover the selection and set-up of recording equipment to ensure high quality recordings.