Methods of writing social history

On June 9, 2011, Professor Ho Tai Tue Tam (Faculty of History - Harvard University) gave a presentation, exchange and discussion on methods of writing social history with staff and students of the School.Through specific and vivid examples and practices, Professor Ho Tai Tue Tam discussed in detail issues related to local history and globalization in the ancient and medieval period such as: interview methods to learn about biography, using the concept of globalization to look back at the ancient and medieval period... Exchanging and sharing experiences in practical research, the Professor gave some notes when interviewing to learn about biography through others, it is necessary to be careful, because there may be confusion due to the information providers may remember wrongly or not remember enough, especially the elderly often do not remember the exact time. Besides, the Professor also noted that when using memoirs to learn about biography, memoirs are sometimes just descriptions, recounting events, however, the details, specific developments of events, events are rarely mentioned. Therefore, when researching and learning through memoirs, pay attention to asking questions related to the process and manner of each event and incident... The professor emphasized that writing social history is writing about ordinary people in society. Social history has a wide scope but the issues raised are very specific and questions need to be asked in the research... Professor Ho Tai Hue Tam has spent many years researching and teaching at Harvard University (USA), specializing in modern Vietnamese history. The professor's most recently published book is "Passion, Betrayal and Revolution in Colonial Saigon - Bao Luong's Memories" (Passion, Betrayal and Revolution in Colonial Saigon).