ALOTIOT, ELLAINE V.

BSA -3B

READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Activity #1

1. What is History?

History is the study of the past – specifically the people, societies,

events and problems of the past – as well as our attempts to understand them.
It is a pursuit common to all human societies. History provides us with a sense
of identity. By understanding where we have come from, we can better
understand who we are. History provides a sense of context for our lives and
our existence. It helps us understand the way things are and how we might
approach the future..

2. Branches of History.

1. Political History: The history of political systems

2. Social History: The history of people and societies
3. Economic History: The history of the economies and economic processes
4. Diplomatic History: The history of international relations
5. Art History: The history of various forms of art
6. Food History: The history of food cuisines
7. History of Science and Medicine: The history of medical science
8. Cultural History: The history of world cultures
9. Women’s History: The history of feminism
10. Intellectual History: The evolution of ideas and famous thinkers
11. Environmental History: The history of our natural environment and its
diverse components

3. Kinds of History.

1. Ancient History - The History of humanity starts when the first civilisation
emerged and historians defined everything that came before as Pre-History. It
is the aggregate of past events from the beginning of writing and
recorded human history and extending as far as post-classical history.
2. Medieval History - People use the phrase “Middle Ages” to describe
Europe between the fall of Rome in 476 CE and the beginning of the
Renaissance in the 14th century.
3. Modern history - is the history of the world beginning after the Middle
Ages. Generally the term "modern history" refers to the history of the world
 since the advent of the Age of Reason and the Age of Enlightenment in the
17th and 18th centuries and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

4. Art History - One of the sub-categories of History is the History of Art.

While the main focus of Historians has mostly been to study and
analyse historical, religious, social and political events through different
periods, Art History has been focused on something different. Art Historians
have been studying the visual, aural and oral expression of humanity.

4. Sources of History.

Primary sources include documents or artifacts created by a witness to or

participant in an event. They can be firsthand testimony or evidence created
during the time period that you are studying.
Examples of primary sources: may include diaries, letters, interviews, oral
histories, photographs, newspaper articles, government documents, poems,
novels, plays, and music. The collection and analysis of primary sources is
central to historical research.
Secondary sources analyze a scholarly question and often use primary
sources as evidence.
Examples of secondary sources: include books and articles about a
topic. They may include lists of sources, i.e. bibliographies, that may lead you
to other primary or secondary sources.

5. Why do we need to study history?

We all know that history is a broad field of study, it is important for all of
us to understand the world around us. It allows us to comprehend more on the
happenings specially how the various aspects of society worked in the past
and how it came to work the way it is now. History also provide us with a
sense of identity on how signifant events were formed, evolved and
developed. History also teaches us to communicate and gain knowledge
about political intelligence, morals and values, to build better citizenship and
also we can gain career through history in various aspects.

6. What is your contribution as individual in history?

As an individual, we can share some knowledge to others by spreading

what we’ve learned from our history. Children can learn about the pillars upon
which different civilizations were built, including cultures and those people
different from their own. And also to share inspiration where history
remembers all brilliant people and their heroic acts that have changed the
shape of nations.