History Meaning and Study PDF

So what exactly is the meaning of history? Providing definition to history has the traditional and modern definitions. In its traditional form- we always use its simplest meaning, 'the study of the past or the record of the past." Traditional historians from the concept of record of the past also co...

So what exactly is the meaning of history? Providing definition to history has the traditional and modern definitions. In its traditional form- we always use its simplest meaning, 'the study of the past or the record of the past." Traditional historians from the concept of record of the past also conforms to the notion of "no written records, no history" isolating the discipline solely to the literatures or written accounts. Modern historians contradict the idea of isolating the discipline from written records alone, they would have it defined as the interpretative and imaginative study of records of the past may it be written or unwritten with the main goal of enlightening or finding answers to human existence. Dictionary.com defines history as the branch of knowledge dealing with past events and as a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle. The word history has entered the English language in 1390 with the meaning of \"relation of incidents, story\". The study of history is Greek in origin; it came from a word ἱστορία (historía) which means \"inquiry\", \"knowledge from inquiry\", or \"judge\". As used by Greek philosopher Aristotle, history meant a systematic account of a set of natural phenomena, whether or not chronological factoring was a factor in the account... by its most common definition, the word history now means, "the past of mankind."... (Gottschalk, 1950). With history as one contribution by the Greeks, the man named Herodotus also has the recognition as the "Father of History" due to his contribution in the field and his book he published entitled, "the Histories". History is a branch of Social Science. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Social Science as a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society. History being a branch of Social Science is also arguably labelled as the "Queen of Social Sciences." Other branches of Social Sciences includes Economics, Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology, Geography, Sociology, Political Science and other disciplines that connect human and society as the main subject itself. As you continue to read and tackle the content of this module, you will be encountering questions about the different events in our country's history that will allow you to reflect on the very essence of studying it. The several questions that you are to encounter in the study of history can be answered by historiography. In the early modern period, the term historiography meant \"the writing of history\" or the history of history, and historiographer meant \"historian\". Historiography was more recently defined as \"the study of the way history has been and is written -- the history of historical writing\", which means that, \"When you study \'historiography\' you do not study the events of the past directly, but the changing interpretations of those events in the works of individual historians.\" You are more likely confused with the difference between history and historiography. Just remember the simplest definitions of the two. History is the study of the past while historiography is the history itself. Thus, historiography widens your own understanding of history. Sources of History One of the requirements expected of you to earn a degree in this university is for you to publish your own book or let's say a thesis. In dealing with your own research, you include in your Review of Related Literature all your supporting researches from different references. You classify them according to their reliability, credibility and provenance. This is where the sources of history will help in distinguishing them. There are several sources of history depending on the references you will follow but you will be using the simplest and easiest types of sources: the Primary and the Secondary. So what is the difference between primary source and secondary source? A primary source is a document or physical object which is written or created during the time under study. These sources are present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event while a secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps remove/s from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Examples of Primary Sources are original documents (excerpts or translations acceptable): diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footages, autobiographies, and official records. Creative works: poetry, drama, novels, music, and art. Relics or Artifacts: pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings. The best examples of Secondary Sources are publications like textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries and encyclopédias. There is another source which can be considered as tertiary source and these are called general references. General references help point a primary or secondary source to the reader. Examples of tertiary source are information found in the card catalogues about books or documents, thèses, dissertations and book abstracts. In dealing with research and the study of history, you are always expected to rely first on the use of primary sources more than the secondary sources but it does not mean that secondary sources are not important. So why do you need to study history ? The new teaching of history as mentioned in the introduction is different from that of the approach you grew up with way back when you were in the basic education. You can possibly remember how the chronological method of teaching history was but the new Readings in Philippine History permits you to go back to the past by reading the actual primary sources of our nation's story. It also allows you to return to the actual time for you to fully grasp the events. Since many of the accounts that tackle about our own history are also coming from foreign writers, their own perspective are much in focus than that of our own. As you deal with contradicting and conflicting primary sources, it is your responsibility in the end to develop critical thinking so that you can create a conclusion that is factual or even close to truth. These are some of the common reasons why studying history is important : 1. History Helps You Understand OUR WORLD ν You cannot understand people if you do not understand their past. This is where an adage, do not judge a book by its cover is most applicable to. ν You cannot understand our community if you do not know how it came to be. Kindly look at the changes in your own place through the years and you will notice how change is truly unavoidable. We have those who are experiencing change in a faster phase and those who are experiencing it slowly. ν You cannot understand our nation without history. History is the discipline that will allow you to have the understanding of the present status of the nation today. Our questions may be about: "Why is the Philippines considered to be one of the richest countries in Asia now lagging compared with our neighboring countries? Why is corruption rampant? Why is poverty sporadic?" Looking into our history or experiences in the past can serve as bases in providing answers to these questions. ν You cannot understand our world if you do not understand history. Why did we have two Koreas? Why are China and the US not in good terms? With the many social and political issues surrounding the international arena, turning back to the events in the past will provide you with the idea of the present issues we have today. 2. History Gives You Identity ν Studying history gives people a sense of nationalism. The Philippines is presently having territorial disputes with claimant countries in the Spratly's and with Sabah. Internally, we also have decade long strife with communists and Muslim separatists in the south. With the many years that we have been facing both internal and external problems, the experiences of the nation has molded the people to continually defend and fight for its sovereignty. Therefore, history helps you understand current world affairs and conflicts by understanding the root of the problems. ν It gives family and personal identity as well. Who you are and what you are is a factor that is said to be a product of your own experiences in the past. Thus, we also look at our own genealogy in tracing at our identity. 3\. History Helps You Understand People ν Culture is relative and the study of history allows us to see our society and people from other societies once comparison is looked into. Just imagine for example how the shaking of the hands must be monitored when you go to Muslim provinces; why it is expected of you to place your right hand on your right chest after shaking hands with them as a form of friendship and warm greetings; or why Ilonggos are having stereotypes in Mindanao like them being labelled as "tikalon" or "show off" and how among Muslims have their own division among Maranaos, Maguindanaoans, Tausugs, etc. History can provide clarity to some existing stereotypes among ethnic groups in the country. This is where history gives ethnic groups a sense of identity. ν History acts as a "social laboratory", one of the few ways we can help predict the future behavior of such a large group. 4. Those That Study and Understand History Become Good Citizens ν It provides national identity. History unites us to have a concept of a nation, with shared identity united by same language despite the differences in culture and languages available in the country. It allows us to better understand who we are and what we are as a nation. ν It provides examples of success, morality and of course the examples of the opposite. History is significant for it allows us not forget the contributions of great people in history. Again without history, great people are forgotten. ν It offers support in making decisions and it encourages, "responsible public behavior, whether as a national or community leader, an informed voter, a petitioner, or a simple observer."