GEC105 Introduction to History Quiz

Definition of History

• History is often viewed as dull due to the memorization of dates and facts.
• Derived from the Greek word “historia,” meaning knowledge gained through inquiry or investigation.
• As a discipline, history has existed for approximately 2,400 years, alongside Mathematics and Philosophy.
• Latin definition emphasizes that history involves accounts of the past through written documents and evidence.
• Both Greek and Latin definitions stress the importance of Sources, Documents, and Evidence.

Issues in History

• Historiography explores who history is written for and the understanding of historical writing methods.
• Important factors in historiography include the context of the time, sources used, and historical methodology.

Schools of Thought in History

• Positivism: Originated in the 18th to 19th century, emphasizes the need for empirical and observable evidence. It upholds the belief that "no document, no history."
• Postcolonialism: Emerged post-colonialism, focusing on creating a national identity. It seeks to:
  • Highlight nations' histories that reflect their identity independent of colonial influences.
  • Critique the effects and methods of colonialism.

History and the Historian

• Historians are tasked with interpreting historical facts and evidences, rather than merely presenting them.
• "Facts cannot speak for themselves," necessitating the historian's role in assigning meaning.
• Historical Methodology is employed to ensure factuality and minimize bias in historical interpretation.

Categories of Historical Sources

• Primary Sources: Created during the time of the event being studied; examples include the Philippine Constitution, letters, eyewitness accounts, artifacts, government records, and photographs.
• Secondary Sources: Created by authors who analyze and interpret primary sources; examples include textbooks, journal articles, and online materials.

Scrutiny of Historical Sources

• Both types of sources must undergo scrutiny to ascertain the truth and provide context.
• External Criticism: Involves examining the physical characteristics of a source to verify its authenticity, such as paper and ink quality.
• Internal Criticism: Focuses on the source's credibility, including the author's background, the context during its creation, and potential biases.

Case Study: Code of Kalantiaw

• An example illustrating the application of external and internal criticism in assessing historical sources.

Definition of History

• History is often viewed as dull due to the memorization of dates and facts.
• Derived from the Greek word “historia,” meaning knowledge gained through inquiry or investigation.
• As a discipline, history has existed for approximately 2,400 years, alongside Mathematics and Philosophy.
• Latin definition emphasizes that history involves accounts of the past through written documents and evidence.
• Both Greek and Latin definitions stress the importance of Sources, Documents, and Evidence.

Issues in History

• Historiography explores who history is written for and the understanding of historical writing methods.
• Important factors in historiography include the context of the time, sources used, and historical methodology.

Schools of Thought in History

• Positivism: Originated in the 18th to 19th century, emphasizes the need for empirical and observable evidence. It upholds the belief that "no document, no history."
• Postcolonialism: Emerged post-colonialism, focusing on creating a national identity. It seeks to:
  • Highlight nations' histories that reflect their identity independent of colonial influences.
  • Critique the effects and methods of colonialism.

History and the Historian

• Historians are tasked with interpreting historical facts and evidences, rather than merely presenting them.
• "Facts cannot speak for themselves," necessitating the historian's role in assigning meaning.
• Historical Methodology is employed to ensure factuality and minimize bias in historical interpretation.

Categories of Historical Sources

• Primary Sources: Created during the time of the event being studied; examples include the Philippine Constitution, letters, eyewitness accounts, artifacts, government records, and photographs.
• Secondary Sources: Created by authors who analyze and interpret primary sources; examples include textbooks, journal articles, and online materials.

Scrutiny of Historical Sources

• Both types of sources must undergo scrutiny to ascertain the truth and provide context.
• External Criticism: Involves examining the physical characteristics of a source to verify its authenticity, such as paper and ink quality.
• Internal Criticism: Focuses on the source's credibility, including the author's background, the context during its creation, and potential biases.

Case Study: Code of Kalantiaw

• An example illustrating the application of external and internal criticism in assessing historical sources.