OHMA is proud to announce the 2016 winner of our first Jeffrey H. Brodsky Oral History Thesis Prize:

BENJI DE LA PIEDRA
“That Something Else’’: Botkin, Portelli and Ellison on Democratic Pluralism and the Dialogical Encounter

Benji will be presenting an interdisciplinary lecture on Tuesday, October 18 at 6 p.m. in 509 Knox Hall, co-sponsored by Columbia's Center for American Studies and Alliance for Historical Dialogue and Accountability, where he is a fellow this fall.

This lecture will provide an introduction to the method, theory, and history of oral history, framing the Federal Writers' Project (Works Progress Administration, 1930s) as the movement's founding moment. It will then pivot to Ralph Ellison, who worked as an interviewer for the WPA before becoming a novelist. The talk will conclude with a discussion of how Ellison’s cultural theory of racial difference in American democracy is of great value to oral historians practicing in America today. 

The Jeffrey H. Brodsky Oral History Thesis Prize is given to one student annually whose thesis makes an important contribution to knowledge and most exemplifies the rigor, creativity, and ethical integrity we teach our students. We offer our warmest congratulations and hope that you will join us in celebrating the award presentation at Benji's lecture!

The learn more about Benji’s work, check out the full prize announcement, his alumni bio and visit the featured projects page for “That Something Else” on Oral History Works, OHMA’s new multimedia student website. Benji’s writing has also recently been featured in the Oral History Review and Al Jazeera America. Congratulations!

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, BUT RSVPS ON THE EVENT FACEBOOK PAGE ARE APPRECIATED TO GAUGE ATTENDANCE.