Emily Chivers Yochim is Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Theatre at Allegheny College. A media ethnographer, Emily frequently employs oral history methodology in the classroom in order to engage students in the community and deepen their understanding of how media infuses everyday life. She has collaborated with several colleagues on semester-long classroom projects using oral history methodology and digital storytelling practices. She is particularly interested in digital storytelling and using oral history to foster community engagement. She will participate in the initial planning and roll-out of the online toolkit during ILiADS.
Students in a Communication Arts course will learn to conduct oral history and use ethnographic methods in media studies by executing a full-scale examination of youth media production in Meadville, PA. Students will participate in workshops about youth voice and politics as part of Allegheny College’s Year of Meadville during Fall 2015. The course started in Spring 2016, when students conducted oral histories with area youth who produce a variety of media (from music to videoblogs); process interviews (transcribe and archive); and conduct analyses.
Read about Emily’s communication ethnography course structure here and access tutorials and materials from her course here.
