July 27 - August 1, 2008
Augusta Heritage Center at Davis & Elkins College
Elkins, West Virginia

Listening for a Change: Oral History and Appalachian Culture

Learn to document life stories and community experience through the art of deep listening. This class will explore spoken testimonials enhanced by a taste of live music. The course offers techniques for seeking out and recording the voices of local citizens. Through field trips to West Virginia hillside farms and general stores, learn about Appalachian customs from elders whose lives have been shaped by conventions unheard of today.

Michael and Carrie Kline, folklorists, audio producers, and singers met through a mutual love for the spoken word and song. Their production company, Talking Across the Lines: Worldwide Conversations, has documented both individual narratives and the interwoven expression of entire communities. Educational credits are available for students and teachers.

Listening for a Change is offered through the Augusta Heritage Center at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. Course tuition includes access to all evening events on campus during your stay, such as concerts, dances, craft showcases and the widely acclaimed Augusta Heritage Festival.

For more information call 1-800-624-3157

or see www.augustaheritage.com/ or www.folktalk.org.