Community dialogue programs encourage civil and productive conversation on topics of importance to contemporary society. They use oral history selections to spark dialogue on issues such as environmental sustainability, land and water use, women’s rights, and racism. Participants listen to short selections from oral history interviews and connect these narratives to their own lives as well as their communities. Oral history dialogue programs are a great way to build understanding among community members and facilitate new modes of civic engagement.
This page contains all the information you need to use this program on your own. Follow the links below to access the resources, including audio files, transcripts, and facilitator guides.
Choose from the Community Dialogue program topics below for more information and resources.
How We Learn
The stories in this theme focus on the many ways that people learn. From formal teaching in classrooms to lessons gleaned from parents and mentors, these stories discuss lifelong processes of formal and informal education.
Oral Histories of the Land
The stories in this theme explore the many ways people use land and water and the complexities of environmental sustainability. The oral history selections reveal the personal challenges and triumphs of land use in the United States. They encourage new perspectives on how we think about land use, conservation, economic development, and other important issues.
Women’s Rights
The stories in this theme explore how women’s roles in society have changed over time. The oral history selections reveal the personal challenges and triumphs of women in the United States. They encourage new perspectives on how we think about women and politics, education, healthcare, and other important issues.
