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Module 1

This document provides an overview of key concepts in the study of history. It defines history as the study of human societies and their political, social, economic, cultural and other developments over time. The document distinguishes between primary sources, which are created by direct witnesses, and secondary sources, which interpret and analyze primary sources. It also describes the processes of external criticism to evaluate the authenticity of sources and internal criticism to examine the truthfulness of their content. The goal is to help students understand the importance of history and how to effectively learn about the past through critical analysis of different source materials.

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joseph5689
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92 views

Module 1

This document provides an overview of key concepts in the study of history. It defines history as the study of human societies and their political, social, economic, cultural and other developments over time. The document distinguishes between primary sources, which are created by direct witnesses, and secondary sources, which interpret and analyze primary sources. It also describes the processes of external criticism to evaluate the authenticity of sources and internal criticism to examine the truthfulness of their content. The goal is to help students understand the importance of history and how to effectively learn about the past through critical analysis of different source materials.

Uploaded by

joseph5689
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 1: Meaning and Relevance of History: Distinction of

Primary & Secondary Sources; Repositories and Different Kinds of


Primary Sources ; External and Internal Criticism

Module 1: (3 hours)
Title: Learning History

Introduction:
This chapter presents history as an academic discipline. It discusses the
definition and the importance of studying history.

History is defined and brought together by social scientists of many different


interests and specialties. History is not confined to the study of the past but, it is
related to the past, present, and future. It covers all aspects of human society.
Political, social, economic, cultural, scientific, technological, medical, and religious
developments are all part of history. Every happening has a specific context and it
leads to specific effects. The present of today is going to be the past of tomorrow.
Today’s situation and current happenings are going to be the past tomorrow.
Yesterday has its influence on today on tomorrow. With these, history as a discipline
has already turned into a complex and dynamic inquiry.

Historians and students encounter a large variety of sources during the course of
their studies about history. Sources can be classified or labelled as primary or
secondary. With the past as history’s subject matter, the historian’s most important
research tool are historical sources.

In general, historical sources can be classified between primary and secondary


sources. These sources are useful in learning, understanding and writing history.
Students especially historians and writers should/need to conduct examine and
validate carefully the sources. External and internal criticism should be conducted.
External criticism is the examination of the authenticity of evidence while internal
criticism is the examination of truthfulness.

The study of history depends greatly on written records, which people have set
down on wood, stone, clay, bone and paper. One of the riches sources relies on
remains, these offers the researchers a clue about the past simply by virtue of their
existence. The wooden columns found at the date of a prehistoric settlement testify for
example to the existence of people and tell to historians something about their culture.
The pegs or dowels they used to fasten building materials further enlighten scholars
about their technical skills and artistic capacities. By comparing their artifacts with
those with other places historians can further learn something of their commercial or
intellectual relations.

Learning Outcomes:
1. state and understand the meaning of history;
2. give their own understanding in the concept history.
3. appreciate the importance of studying history;
4. Recognize the distinction between primary and secondary sources.
5. Evaluate primary sources for their credibility, authenticity, and tertiary sources.
6. Enumerate materials which can be considered primary sources and secondary
sources.
7. Discuss the difference between internal and external criticism.

Guide Questions:
1. What is your understanding of history? How is your view different from
what is explained in this lesson?
2. As a student of history, what do you think will be your duties? Why is
there a need to understand and realize the meaning and importance of our
history?
3. Why is there a need to understand and realize the meaning and importance
of history?
4. What is the main distinction between primary and secondary source?
5. Why is primary source and secondary source important in the study of
history?

Content:

What is History?
The study of beliefs and desires, practices and institutions of human beings. With
this definition, history becomes an active factor in the study of Philippine Society. It
also includes a look int the development of Philippine culture through time especially
with the influence of the colonial period that would eventually shape the present
Philippine identity.

For some known writers like Nick Joaquin, history is not just a chronological
story of the past, but it is a process of creation of culture.

Excerpts from Understanding History: A Primer of Historical Method by Louis


Gottschalk (1950, New York: Knopf, p.17)

Here are some other definitions of the nature of history:


a. History is interpretive; it invites students to debate multiple perspectives, offer
their opinions and educated interpretations, and challenge existing beliefs.
b. History is revisionist in scope; it is an on-going and constant process of
reexamining the past based on new discoveries, evidence, and perspectives
c. History is a constant process of questioning; it requires questioning the text,
examining them critically, and asking new questions
d. History is integrative; it is related to other disciplines like geography,
sociology, literature, economics etc.
e. History is inclusive; it includes experiences of all classes, regions, racial
groups as well as both genders.
f. History incorporates historiography; it includes all interpretations of historical
events
g. History is relevant; it uses past experience to help solve present problems
Why study History?
Looking at the past teaches us to see the world through different eyes -
appreciating the diversity of human perceptions, beliefs and cultures. Different and/or
new perspectives will enable us to analyze critically the present contexts of society
and beings.
1. To learn about the past.
History enables people to discover and learn about the challenges of
people around the world in different periods of time. The satisfaction you
will gain from examining these records is the initial reason for studying
history.
1. To understand the present.
Links between the past and the present are all around us. The more
knowledge we gain of the past the more insights we have into the present.
We can learn valuable lessons from the past to help solve present
problems.
2. To appreciate your heritage.
Understanding history will give us greater appreciation of our heritage. It
helps us to value these contributions that are foundation of our culture and
tradition, and is the foundation of our future generation.
3. To broaden your perspectives.
4. To acquire background for critical thinking and analysis.

What are Primary Sources?


 Primary sources are materials produced by people or groups directly involved
in the event or topic being studied.
 They are either participants or witness.

Formally, there are eight types of these primary sources:


1. Autobiographies and memoirs
2. Diaries, personal letters, and correspondence
3. Interviews, surveys, and fieldwork
4. Photographs and posters
5. Works of arts and literature
6. Speeches and oral histories

What are Secondary Sources?


Gottschalk simply defines secondary sources as the testimony of anyone who is
not an eyewitness – that is of one who was not present at the event of which he tells.
Secondary information is filtered through someone else’s perspective.
These are books, articles and scholarly journals that had interpreted primary
sources or had used them to discuss certain subjects of history.

Types of Secondary Sources


1. Bibliographies
2. Biographical works
3. Periodicals (Newspaper, magazine and journal)
4. Literature reviews and review articles

What is External Criticism and Internal Criticism?


Historical data has to be examined to verify its authenticity and truthfulness
through external and internal criticism.
1. External Criticism
External criticism refers to the genuineness of the documents. It is
looking into the authenticity of evidence by examining the physical
characteristics and historical characteristics of the documents.

The following are series of questions to establish the genuineness of a


document or relic according to Key (1997).
a. Does the language and writing style conform to the period in
question and is it typical of other work done by the author?
b. Is there evidence that the author exhibits ignorance of things or
events that man of his training and time should have known?
c. Did he report about things, events, or places that could have
been known during the period?
d. Has the original manuscript been altered either intentionally or
unintentionally by copying?
e. Is the document an original draft or a copy?
2. Internal Criticism
Internal criticism refers to the meaning and truthfulness of the
documents. It talks about the value and worth of its contents.

Key (1997), provides the following questions to check the content of a


source of information:
a. What was meant by the author by each word and statement?
b. How much credibility can the author’s statements be given?

Conclusion:
History are stories from the past that can serve as a guide to present and
succeeding generations in facing challenges of the times. It is also a tool for us to
truly understand who we are as a person and a nation.

Reference/s:
Halili, M. N., (2010) Philippine History. Rex Printing Company, Inc. Manila,
Philippines
Candelaria, et.al. 2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Rex Printing Company,
Inc.
Manila, Philippines.
Ligan, et.al.,2018. Readings in the Philippine History. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
Malabon City.
Solmenaro, et.al. 2018. Readings in Philippine History. Fastbooks Educational
Supply, Inc.
Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines.
Torres, J. V., 2018. BATIS. Sources in Philippine History. Rex Printing Company,
Inc.

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