HIST PDF - Nature and Importance of History

Lesson 1: Nature and Importance of History Role of Historians To look at the available sources and select the most relevant for history and subject...

Lesson 1: Nature and Importance of History Role of Historians To look at the available sources and select the most relevant for history and subject of study Meaning of History To organize the past that is being created To seek for the meaning of recovering the past to let Traditional Understanding the people see the continuing relevance of memories − study of past events (Historical Understanding) − chronological records of significant events − branch of knowledge dealing with past events, a continuous, systematic narrative Why is History Important? of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc. usually Studying history is important because it allows us to written in chronological account. understand our past, which in turn allows us to Modern Understanding understand our present. − Came from a Greek word “Historia” that means Studying history can provide us with insight into our “Knowledge acquired through inquiry or cultures of origin as well as cultures with which we investigation” might be less familiar, thereby increasing cross- − Sources are oral traditions in forms of epics, cultural awareness and understanding. songs, artifacts, architecture, memory etc. Knowing our own history, is important because it helps us to know who we are while molding the future. Division of History 1. Pre-History Historical Method Period where no written records exist or when the writings of people were not preserved is the collection of techniques and guidelines that Analysed through fossils and artifacts by historians use to research and write history of the past Archaeologists and Anthropologists Archaeologist vs Anthropologist Historical Sources Archaeologist - a person who studies human history An object from the past or testimony concerning the and prehistory through the excavation of sites and past on which historians depend in order to create the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. their own depiction of the past (Howell & Prevenier) Anthropologist - people that practice anthropology, Tangible remains of the past (Brundage) which is the study of humanity. Basically they want to figure out what makes humans human. An anthropologist might be interested in everything Types of Historical Sources from the traditions of a tribe on a remote island to the culture of an urban community and everything in Written Sources between. o Published Materials o Manuscripts 2. History Non-Written Sources Period when man started to write and record events o Oral History using a system of writing. o Artifacts Analysed through wood carves, engraved metals, o Ruins written papyrus and written papers. o Fossils Historians o Art Works o Video Recordings A historian is a person who studies and writes about o Audio Recording the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. Lesson 2: Primary Sources and Secondary Sources Primary Sources They can be first-hand testimony or evidence created during the time period that you are studying Four Main Categories of Primary Sources Written Sources Images Artifacts Oral Testimony Examples Archive – an accumulation of historical records in any media or the physical facility in which they are located. Manuscript – has its origins in the Latin term “manu scriptus,” which means ‘written by hand’. At the time, all novel manuscripts or other written works were hand- written. Today, a manuscript refers to a preliminary draft of a novel, short story, or non-fiction book Fossils Artifacts