A critique of research in oral History
Obstacles, Limitations, and New Horizons
Oral history is an engaging branch of historical and sociological studies that opens a pathway into the world of lived experiences, memories, and individual narratives. This approach is particularly significant for understanding social, cultural, and identity history, as many layers of people’s lives remain silent in official and written documents.The Role of Objects in Oral Narrative
Philosophers refer to anything that exists—or possesses the potential to exist—as an object. This concept may manifest in material forms, abstract notions, and even human emotions and lived experiences. In other words, an object encompasses a vast spectrum of beings and phenomena, each endowed with particular attributes and characteristics, and apprehensible in diverse modalities.Managing Oral History Interviews
One of the foundational and crucial considerations in oral history is the selection of the subject of an oral history project. Although oral-history topics are numerous and wide-ranging, interviewers should keep several key principles in mind when choosing a theme. First, does the proposed subject possess genuine researchability? Second, is there access to primary, first-hand interviewees? And finally, does the topic merit the investment of time and effort?Comparative Analysis of Women’s and Men’s Written Memoirs in the Sacred Defense
The written memoirs of the Sacred Defense constitute one of the most significant sources for apprehending the human, cultural, and social layer of the Iraqi-imposed war against Iran. These recollections, far beyond mere historical narration, reflect the inner world of individuals who lived at the very heart of unfolding events. Each page stands as a testament to the emotions, faith, fear, hope, and steadfastness of a nation that,...The Delineation of Imagination and Reality in Memoir Writing
From Nowhere-Land to Utopia
In every society, the past persists not only in documents and recorded events, but within memories, narratives, and the collective imagination of the people. What is registered as memory or oral history is often a combination of factual experience and mental reconstruction. Drawing on the concept of imagination in the philosophy of history and memory ...Comparing the Narratives of Commanders and Ordinary Combatants in the Sacred Defense
An Analysis of Functions and Consequences
The experience of the Sacred Defense cannot be comprehended merely through statistics or official reports; what truly endures from war are the narratives of those who stood upon its frontlines. These narratives, however, vary significantly depending on one’s position, responsibilities, and lived experience.Oral Narratives: An Open Window into Cultural Discourse
Researchers in the social and cultural sciences, considering the characteristics of oral narratives, can obtain a tangible and vivid picture of what people believe, think, and feel. Unlike official written sources, which are often dry and impersonal, oral narratives are interwoven with ideas, emotions, and lived experiences, and they have the potential to reflect the depth of public culture and the dominant discourse of society.Prerequisites and Methodology for Compiling Oral History
Within the realm of knowledge and intellectual inquiry, a subtle boundary distinguishes imagination from reality. Imagination, when situated within the domains of literature and art, serves as a driving force of creation, generating worlds of greater beauty and aesthetic depth. However, when this force encroaches upon historical narrative, it transforms into a destructive affliction, undermining the foundations of collective memory.Review of the Book Matbakh: Memoirs of the Freed Iranian Prisoner of War, Baba-Ali (Sabzali) Ramezanpour
Life in Tikrit Camp No. 12
"From the signboards, I realized they were taking us to Basra. Like a long train, we entered the city. I assumed they wanted to showcase us as a spectacle, to boast that they had captured many prisoners. The people stood on both sides of the street, spitting upon us.The Unique Position of the Iranian Oral History Website
The topic of "oral history" has only recently become a significant concern among historians in Iran, sparking numerous discussions about its importance and various dimensions. The necessity of addressing this subject has now become evident—especially in today’s world, where, for various reasons, there is an unprecedented and often covert battle between competing narratives.3
...
The latest
Most visited
Documentary Pathology of the US Embassy Documents
The Necessity of Scientific Rereading and Content Analysis of DocumentsMore than four decades have passed since the publication of the first collections of documents from the US Embassy in Tehran. However, despite the relatively easy access to this treasure trove of documents, systematic research exploitation of it has not been adequate. We still do not have a “comprehensive picture” of the content of these 11,000 documents.
100 Questions / 42
What is the importance of the narrator and interviewers shared understanding of the past in oral history?We asked several researchers and activists in the field of oral history to express their views on oral history questions. The names of each participant are listed at the beginning of their answers, and the text of all the answers will be published on this portal by the end of the week.
Validation: Challenges and Necessities
Where does truth stand in oral history? How can the correctness of a narrative be recognized? Does fact-checking matter? If there is exaggeration in the reporting of some accounts, how can it be detected? Is it possible to record an event accurately through the recording of a narrative? Readers and users of oral history works are often faced with these questions, and sometimes encounter doubts about some oral history works.From Revolutionary Circles to the Military Arm of the Islamic Government
In those days, it became clear that certain institutions had to be established very quickly—institutions suited to the temperament, expectations, and lingering aspirations of the younger generation; young people who had been politically active before the Revolution and, in some cases, had been directly entangled in arrests, imprisonment, ...
