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Module I: Introduction to the study of History

Objectives: At the end of the class discussions, the students will be able to:

1. differentiate traditional definition of history from its modern definition

2. understand the importance of history
3. determine the sources of history

A. Definitions of History

Traditional Definitions

History is the record of the past. It is the record of the human past from the time
written records began to appear. The use of interviews or oral history and oral traditions
are not considered in studying history.

Modern Definitions

History is the interpretative, imaginative reconstruction of the past based on

written records, oral history, cultural artifacts and folk traditions. History is being
interpreted in an orderly and intelligible manner based on the surviving records of the
past either written or unwritten in order to determine and understand the contributions
and scope of human existence in every period of time.

B. Uses or Importance of History

1. It bridges the gap between the present and the past

 The present being the result of the past can be best understood by
knowing the historical roots. Thus, understanding the past can lead to
better understanding of the present.

2. It explains causes of things and events

 History provides an explanation of different the causes of events,
development and even the root of the present economic, political,
religious and social problems.

3. It helps project the future

 Lessons from the past can serve as bases in envisioning the future and
circumstances in the past allow us to speculate about the future.

4. It provides information of the different periods, places and time.

 Access from the past and having the needed information can lead to
better understanding of the different situations or conditions of the people

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5. It promotes nationalism and patriotism.

 A sense of national pride and a sense of devotion to one country may
develop by knowing the struggles and hardships of the forefathers to
freedom and independence.

C. Sources Of History

1. Written or Inscribed sources

- birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate
- directories, church records, school records
- government records, hospital records, police records
- Books. souvenir programs
- letters, diaries ,local newspapers
- census reports, title deeds, surveyor’s note
- Inscriptions
2. Graphic or Visual Materials
- Photographs
- heirlooms and keepsakes
- arts and crafts
- tools weapons and utensils

3. Folklore or oral literature

4. Oral history through interviews.

D. Primary Sources Vs Secondary Sources

Historical source material consists of primary and secondary sources.

Primary sources provide a first-hand account of an event or time period

representing original thinking, reports on discoveries or events. Considered to be
the first formal appearance of original research.

Examples of primary resources include: diaries, correspondence, original

documents e.g. birth certificates, trial transcripts, biographies, autobiographies,
manuscripts, interviews, speeches, oral histories and editorial/opinion pieces

 Secondary sources involve analysis, generalization, synthesis, interpretation, or

evaluation of primary sources. It can also be an attempt to describe or explain
primary sources.

Some sources can be categorized as either primary or secondary sources

depending upon on the study or research you are undertaking. For example,
newspaper editorial/opinion pieces can be both primary and secondary

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Examples of secondary sources include: journal articles that comment on or

analyze research, textbooks, dictionaries and encyclopedias, books that interpret,
political commentary criticism of literature, art works or music

E. External and Internal criticism of Documents

The historical researcher’s most important role is to choose reliable

sources, in order to create reliable narratives about the past (Howell et al.
2001). Evidence collected from a wide range of sources have their own strengths
and weaknesses (Tosh 2000). Any source material collected should be subjected
to both external and internal criticism. The authenticity of the evidence is
determined by external criticism, whereas credibility is established by internal
criticism (Shafer 1980).

External and internal criticism provide the basic methodology of modern historical research

Figure 1: Internal and External Criticism (from Neuman, 2003, p.421)

(Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=external+and+internal+criticism+images)

External criticism is a process by which historians determine whether a source is authentic

by checking the validity of the source. It is also known as lower criticism, ventures
towards inquiry regarding: authorship, date of Document and the textual errors which
may be either unintentional or deliberately committed. The use of external criticism
involves establishing whether a document can be traced back to the purported originator,
establishing whether it is consistent with known facts, and studying the form of the
document (Tosh 2000).

Internal criticism looks at the reliability of an authenticated source after it has been
subjected to external criticism. To authenticate a source, historians examine whether or
not the language conforms to language used during the period. Internal criticism consists
of trying to establish the author’s meaning and making a judgement as to the
intentions and prejudices of the writer (Tosh 2000)

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References

Funtecha, Henry and Padilla Melanie.(1999) Study Guide in Philippine History. Iloilo
City: UP in the Visayas,

Howell, M., and Prevenier, W. From Reliable Sources: An Introduction to Historical

Methods Cornell University Press, Ithaca, London, 2001

Neuman, W. L. (2003). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and quantitative

approaches. Boston, Allyn & Bacon.

Primary and secondary sources. (n.d.). Library. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from
https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/study/information-resources/primary-and-
secondary-sources
https://www.google.com/search?q=external+and+internal+criticism+images)

Shafer, R. J. A Guide to Historical Method, (3rd ed.) The Dorsey Press, 1980.

Toland, J., & Yoong, P. (2013). Using Historical Methods in Information Systems: A
Primer for Researchers. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 18.
https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v18i1.798

Tosh, J. The Pursuit of History: Aims, Methods and New Directions in the Study of
Modern History, (3rd ed.) Pearson Education Limited, Harlow, 2000.