Chapter1 L1
Chapter1 L1
introduction
to history
lesson 1 :
learning
history
warming up !
Try to recall what happened in your life
in the past few years, and note down
the important details that you have
experienced. After doing it, reflect on
the importance of the following
situations:
What is
HISTORY?
History is the
studyof the beliefs
and desires,
practices, and
institutions of
human beings.
Why Study
History?
An investigation of the past can reveal a lot
about how we became who we are now. It
entails investigating the origins of modern
institutions, ideas, attitudes, and issues.
Looking back allows us to appreciate the
diversity of human perspectives, beliefs, and
civilizations by teaching us to see the world
through diverse eyes. Different and/or new
viewpoints will enable us to critically
examine current societal and human
circumstances.
The Meaning
of “History
excerpts from Understanding
History: A Primer of Historical
Method by Loius Gottschalk
(1950, New York: Knopf, p. 17).
“The English word HISTORY is derived from the Greek noun
istoia, meaning learning. As used by the Greek philosopher
Aristotle, history meant a systematic account of a set of
By its most natural phenomena, whether or not chronological factoring
common was a factor in the account. In the course of time, however,
definition, the the equivalent Latin word scientia (English, science) came to
word history be used more regularly to designate non-chronological
now means, “the systematic accounts of natural phenomena; and the word
past of mankind.” history was reserved usually for accounts of phenomena
History According to
Some Great Men
Modification?
We are influenced by the history that has
come before us, rather than single-handedly
shaping it.
This quote by Sydney Harris
highlights the idea that while
patterns and themes in
history may recur, they often
do so in ways that are not
immediately recognizable.
mistakes from being made.
Relevance and Importance
of History
1. History Helps Us Understand
People and Societies.
First and foremost, history gives a
wealth of information on how people
and societies behave. Understanding
how people and societies operate is
difficult, yet many professions strive
to do so. If we just used current data,
our efforts would be impeded
needlessly.
2. History Helps Us Understand Change
and How the Society We Live in Came to
Be.
History is the sole comprehensive source
of information about the human
condition. It also draws attention to the
complexities of social change, as well as
the forces that are now generating
change.
1. The Importance of History in Our Own Lives
.
b. History Provides Identity
1. The Ability to Assess Evidence. The study of history gives students practice
dealing with and evaluating many types of evidence, which historians
employ to create the most accurate portraits of the past possible. Learning
how to analyze former political leaders' comments—one type of evidence—
assists in developing the ability to discern between objective and self-
serving statements made by current political leaders. Learning how to mix
many types of evidence—public declarations, private records, numerical
data, and visual materials—improves one's capacity to construct coherent
arguments based on a wide range of facts. This ability may also be used to
analyze information in everyday life.
2. The Ability to Assess Conflicting Interpretations.
Many other interpretations exist, many of which are contradictory.
Understanding how societies work, which is the central goal of
historical study, is inherently imprecise, and the same may be said
of contemporary events. History, as an often contested laboratory
of human experience, teaches students how to recognize and
evaluate competing viewpoints, which is a vital civic ability. In this
area, the full benefits of historical study may conflict with the
restricted use of the past to construct identity. Examining
historical events has given me a constructively critical sense that I
can use to political statements about national or group identity's
merits. History does not undermine dedication or commitment;
rather, it teaches the importance of assessing arguments and
provides opportunities to debate and acquire perspective.
c. Experience in Assessing Past
Examples of Change.
Understanding change in
today's culture necessitates
prior experience analyzing
historical examples of change,
which is a crucial talent in our
"ever-changing world," as
we're taught.
Round 1-4
well as informative
Modification?
Read History Book.
The vast bulk of history may be found in
written form. As a result, it's not unexpected
that learning history necessitates a
significant quantity of reading. However, jus
because you read more doesn't guarantee
you'll learn more. The goal is to extract as
much facts and knowledge as possible from
your history text asTrue
quickly asFalse
possible
Modification?
. Before you start studying the facts, you need first study the
historian.
Identifying Bias