Introduction to History: Definition, Issues, Sources, and Methodology PDF

Chapter 1 Introduction to History: Definition, Issues, Sources, and Methodology History and Historian The Annales School of History Historical Sources Philippine Historiography History and Historian Questions: “if history is written with an agenda or is heavily influe...

Chapter 1 Introduction to History: Definition, Issues, Sources, and Methodology History and Historian The Annales School of History Historical Sources Philippine Historiography History and Historian Questions: “if history is written with an agenda or is heavily influenced by the historian, is it possible to come up with an absolute historical truth?” “Is history an objective discipline” “If it is not, is it still worthwhile to study history?” Of course yes, it is still worthwhile to study history because history gives importance to us. Indeed, an exact and accurate account or documentation in the past is IMPOSSIBLE. Why? Because for the reason being “WE CANNOT GO BACK TO THE PAST” Historians only get to access representation of the past through historical sources and evidence. Therefore, it is the historian’s job not just to seek historical evidence and facts but also to interpret these facts. Because “facts cannot speak for themselves”. That is why historians must interpret and contextualize facts to derive significance or to draw conclusions. It is the job of the historian to give meaning to these facts and organize them into a timeline, establish causes, and write history. So in a sense history doesn’t only act as a stagnant record alone. It serves as a way to give us insights and perspective to enlighten us about the complexities of the past. Historian is a person of his own who is influenced by his own context, environment, ideology, education, and influences. The historian’s subjectivity will inevitably influence the process of his historical research: The methodology that he will use. The facts that he shall select and deem relevant. His interpretation. And even the form of his writings. Thus, in one way we can conclude the history is ALWAYS SUBJECTIVE. “Historical research requires rigor.” From the word rigor which means thorough, intricate, accurate. Karang grabe ka kuti sa details. That’s why historians need to scrutinize or analyze critically. Historical methodology comprises certain techniques and rules that historians follow and in order to properly utilize sources and historical evidence in writing history. Example: A historian chooses to use an oral account (chismis, sabi-sabi) as his data in studying the ethnic history of the Ifugaos in the Cordilleras during the American Occupation. He needs to validate the claims of his informant through comparing and corroborating it with written sources. Therefore, the historian needs not let his bias blind his judgment and such bias is only acceptable if he maintains his rigor as a researcher. Dapat naa siyay thorough examination of all sources. THE ANNALES SCHOOL OF HISTORY - It is a school of history born in France that challenges the canons of history. - This school of thought did away with the common historical subjects that were almost always related to the conduct of states and monarchs. (not only monarchs or elites are always talked about in history. They are more concerned with those simple people and they need to study about their history) - They are more concerned with social history and studied longer historical periods. HISTORICAL SOURCES With the past as history’s subject matter, the historian’s most important research tool of the historian. In general, historical sources can be classified between primary sources and secondary sources. Take note: the classification of sources between these two categories depends on the historical subject being studied. Primary sources are those sources produced at the same time as the event, period, or subject being studied. For instance: If the historian wishes to study the Commonwealth Constitution Convention of 1935, his primary sources can include the ff: 1. Minutes of convention, 2. Newspaper clippings, 3. Philippine Commission reports of the U.S. Commissioners,  4. Records of the convention, 5. The draft of the Constitution, and even 6. Photographs of the event. Example of Primary Sources: Archival Documents; Artifacts; Memorabilia; Letters; Census; and Government records. Secondary sources are those sources, which were produced by an author who used primary sources to produce the material. In other words, secondary sources are historical sources, which studied a certain historical subject. The classification of sources between primary and secondary depends NOT on the period when the source was produced or the type of the source but on the subject of the historical research. For instance: A textbook is usually classified as a secondary source, a tertiary even. If a historian chooses to write the history of education in the 1980’s, they can utilize textbooks used in that period as a primary source. Both primary and secondary sources are useful in writing and learning history. However, historians and students of history need to thoroughly scrutinize these historical sources to avoid deception and to come up with the historical truth. The historian should be able to conduct external criticism and internal criticism of the sources, especially in the primary source which can age centuries. External criticism is the practice of verifying the authenticity of evidence by examining its physical characteristics; consistency with the historical characteristics of the time when it was produced; and the materials used for evidence. Example of the things that will be examined when conducting external criticism: Paper, type of the ink, and the language and words used in materials, among others. Internal criticism is the examination of the truthfulness of the evidence. It looks at the content of the source and examines the circumstance of its production. Internal criticism looks at the truthfulness and factuality of the evidence by looking at the author of the source, its context, the agenda behind its creation, the knowledge which informed it, and its intended purpose. Internal criticism entails that historians acknowledge and analyze how such reports can be manipulated to be used in war propaganda. Without thorough criticism of historical evidence, historical deceptions and lies will be highly probable. The task of the historian is to look at the available historical sources and select the most relevant and meaningful for history and for the subject matter that he is studying. Remember! History, like other academic disciplines, has come a long way but still has a lot of remaining tasks to do. It does not claim to render absolute and exact judgment because as long as questions are continuously asked, and as long as time unfolds, the study of history can never be complete. Philippine Historiography Underwent several changes since the precolonial period until the present. Ancient Filipinos narrated their history through communal songs and epics that they passed orally from a generation to generation. ~ END OF CHAPTER ~