Podcast
Questions and Answers
How is history classified at some universities?
How is history classified at some universities?
- Only as a humanities discipline
- Neither humanities nor social science
- Only as a social science
- Both humanities and social science (correct)
Most historians completely agree with social scientists on methodology.
Most historians completely agree with social scientists on methodology.
False (B)
What do some historians believe about the adoption of social science methodologies in history?
What do some historians believe about the adoption of social science methodologies in history?
They believe it may make history dull and uninspired.
History has elements of both the __________ and social science.
History has elements of both the __________ and social science.
What do social scientists urge historians to do with their methodology?
What do social scientists urge historians to do with their methodology?
Match the following perspectives on history with their description:
Match the following perspectives on history with their description:
What does the historian's methodology rely on?
What does the historian's methodology rely on?
All historians reject the idea of using social science methods in their work.
All historians reject the idea of using social science methods in their work.
What aspect primarily distinguishes history from social science?
What aspect primarily distinguishes history from social science?
Historians and social scientists both aim to formulate laws from their analyses.
Historians and social scientists both aim to formulate laws from their analyses.
What is a primary difference between literary imagination and historical imagination?
What is a primary difference between literary imagination and historical imagination?
What elements do historians examine to determine the genuineness of documents?
What elements do historians examine to determine the genuineness of documents?
Historical imagination allows historians to describe scenarios that are not implied by their sources.
Historical imagination allows historians to describe scenarios that are not implied by their sources.
History is classified under the ______ discipline.
History is classified under the ______ discipline.
Give an example of a genre where imagination can roam freely.
Give an example of a genre where imagination can roam freely.
Which of the following is an example of a generalization made by social scientists?
Which of the following is an example of a generalization made by social scientists?
The historian's imagination helps re-capture the past as closely as the __________ permit.
The historian's imagination helps re-capture the past as closely as the __________ permit.
Name one philosopher of history mentioned in the content.
Name one philosopher of history mentioned in the content.
Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
Match the following descriptions with the corresponding terms:
Match the following descriptions with the corresponding terms:
In history, _____ is considered anathema as it deals with the past.
In history, _____ is considered anathema as it deals with the past.
What is the primary use of quantification in sociology?
What is the primary use of quantification in sociology?
Historians use quantification to predict coming elections based on past data.
Historians use quantification to predict coming elections based on past data.
What must a historian possess to be recognized as great?
What must a historian possess to be recognized as great?
__________ was known for their historical writing style and imagination.
__________ was known for their historical writing style and imagination.
Match the following historians with their national backgrounds:
Match the following historians with their national backgrounds:
How does the imagination of a great historian differ from that of a literary author?
How does the imagination of a great historian differ from that of a literary author?
Being a great social scientist requires one to also be a good writer.
Being a great social scientist requires one to also be a good writer.
What do sociologists sample to predict future trends?
What do sociologists sample to predict future trends?
Study Notes
History: A Hybrid Discipline
- History as a discipline is often categorized as a social science, but is sometimes also considered to be a humanities subject.
- Some historians believe it should be aligned with the social sciences, while others believe it belongs in the humanities.
- Social scientists argue that history should adopt the methodology of the social sciences.
- Most historians believe that history has its own distinct methodology, even though the social sciences can sometimes be used to inform it.
History's Unique Methodology
- The scientific aspect of history involves examining documents and their authenticity and reliability.
- The examination process includes analyzing the paper, ink, penmanship, and writing style to determine genuineness.
- Once authenticity is determined, the writing and interpretation of the documents fall under the domain of the humanities.
- As a form of composition, history is undeniably part of the humanities.
Contrasting History and Social Science
- History focuses on the particular while social science deals with the general.
- While history does not aim to discover laws, the social sciences strive to formulate principles based on data.
- History deals with the past, so cannot be used to make predictions about the future.
- However, the social sciences can predict trends and possibilities using quantification.
Literary Importance in History
- Great historians possess not only a mastery of historical methodology but also a compelling literary style.
- Their writing is clear, fluent, and engaging, enabling them to recreate the past for their readers.
- Historical imagination allows historians to re-capture the past, limited by the available data and credibility of sources.
- While literary imagination can create imaginary worlds, historical imagination remains grounded in reality.
- The literary imagination might describe events or personalities that never existed, but historical imagination remains within the bounds of documented history.
Historical Imagination: Bringing History to Life
- Historians use their imaginations to breathe life into historical events, avoiding bland, data-driven accounts.
- Master's and doctoral theses are often criticized for being unhistorical because they lack imagination.
- Historical imagination, constrained by the facts, is a crucial element in making history engaging and meaningful.
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Description
Explore the dual nature of history as both a social science and a humanities subject. This quiz dives into the methodologies that distinguish history from other disciplines and highlights the importance of authenticity in historical research. Challenge your understanding of how historians navigate these classifications.
