070095 UE Course on Methodology Contemporary History and Media (2022W)

For a long time, oral history as a source of contemporary historical research was considered controversial in professional circles, especially since, according to its special nature, it does not represent the result of a scientific-critical method, but rather the recording of subjective oral statements of contemporary witnesses as a source for researching a historical content, which is not clearly verifiable. Nevertheless, the statements of contemporary witnesses from different social milieus represent a source for contemporary history research that should not be neglected. Despite the problems described above regarding the truthfulness of what is subjectively remembered, they are an important source because of their subjective authenticity. Details such as the choice of persons, the milieu they come from, their specific way of speaking or remembering, are further parameters to be taken into account along the way. In addition, there is the audiovisual medium, of which Bazin aptly judged that in its innermost core it "rescues essence through appearance." In this respect, audio-visuality, according to its technical essence, establishes the scientific context, especially since what is spoken and seen is preserved via this medium and thus takes these statements out of time, regardless of their truth content for science, and thus - as long as this material exists - holds them as an imperishable fixation for scientific research. Correctly, in this context, one would have to assign a correspondingly higher scientific value to Bazin's statement about the visual to the auditory, which acquires an even greater significance in this context. In summary, it can be said that the instruments of oral history - i.e., the targeted in-depth interview and the potential of audiovision - represent an important scientific bundle of methods, which as such has its justification in the curriculum of contemporary history research.
In practicing the methods of oral history, the various scholarly problem areas will be discussed. Which group of people, which individuals should be interviewed? What can be expected? Free speech of the interviewee versus directed questions and if so, at what point should they be asked and how?
Which important OH projects exist worldwide, which in Austria and how are they organized? What can be deduced from them?
Furthermore, interview techniques, such as those differentiated by Haller, are to be discussed in plenary in order to be able to adjust and behave in a targeted manner in the practical field.
Subsequently, the development of a shooting schedule, the technical conditions of camera, lighting and sound technology, post-production and audiovisual design principles should be dealt with in all necessary areas.
The practical application of the acquired knowledge should give students the opportunity to get out of the "dry dock" and gain and deepen their experience in the practical fields of editing, script writing, film design, camera and microphone technology, post-production and presentation.
All work will be presented and discussed in plenary sessions.