OHMA VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
Information session
Virtually meet OHMA students and alums
Presentation by OHMA Alum: Emma Courtland and Robin Miniter
Mini-interviewing workshop, taught by OHMA Director Amy Starecheski
OHMA is the first program of its kind: a one-year interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree training students in oral history method and theory. Our graduates work in museums, historical societies, advocacy organizations, media, the arts, education, human rights, and development. OHMA is also excellent preparation for doctoral work in fields like anthropology, history, journalism, and American studies or professional degrees in law, education, or social work.
Jointly run by the Columbia Center for Oral History Research, one of the preeminent oral history centers in the world, and INCITE, a lively hub for interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences, OHMA connects students with the intellectual resources of a major research university, and with the intimate society of a small cohort of talented students.
During a year at OHMA, students learn the skills of digital audio and video production and editing, digital archiving, oral history project design and interviewing, and both historical and social science analysis. Working with an OHMA faculty member, each student is guided through the process of creating a thesis. Past projects have taken the form of academic and creative essays, film and audio documentaries, performances, exhibits, and multimedia websites. OHMA students also have access to elective courses taught anywhere within the University and exclusive oral history internship opportunities.
Alum Presentation:
Robin Miniter and Emma Courtland graduated OHMA on May 14, 2017, and they’ve talked to each other every day since. Through an endless stream of text messages, voice memos, and emails sent from opposite sides of the country, their friendship has evolved into a creative partnership that has just seen its first public manifestation.
On October 29, Robin and Emma will be talking about A Sense of Place: Stories of Stewardship from the National Park Service, the podcast they produced in collaboration with the NPS Oral History Archive, as well as the role that OHMA played in shaping their careers.
When not scheming together, Robin is a podcast host / producer at Grim and Mild, Emma is a podcast host / producer at Gimlet Media. Both of their current projects are set to premiere in 2021.
Prospective students are also welcome to meet with the OHMA director or virtually sit-in on one of our classes. Please send us an email (ohma@columbia.edu) to connect!
These events are open to all. For more information or if we can make any of these events more accessible to you please contact Rebecca McGilveray at rlm2203@columbia.edu.