HISTORY 100 (MODULE 1: WHY STUDY HISTORY)

Why Study History

• History Helps Us Understand People and Societies – there is no other disciple that
would touch on people and societies if not history. If you want to understand people and
certain society, study their history.

• History Helps Us Understand Change and How the Society We Live in Came to Be
– for example: the old Philippine radical terminal in Magsaysay, it is now the terminal of
jeepneys going to Trinidad. How Baguio City became Baguio City also because of
history. Baguio was called “Kafagway” in the past, it is an “Ibaloi” territory. The
Americans found the city, they send Architect Daniel Burnham to design the place.

• History Contributes to Moral Understanding – different place has different practices

even if comes to moral, history would also contribute to moral understanding.

• History Provides Identity – how would we know our people. We are called Filipino
that came from the name of our country. Philippines is named after a crown prince King
Philip II of Spain. People in Cordilleras was called “Igorrotes” (people in the mountain)
in Spanish Era. It became “Igorots” in American times.

• History is Essential for Good Citizenship – a birth of a nation, just like Philippines did
not happen in a silver platter. The Americans disturbed our freedom. Bonifacio, Rizal
and other heroes contributed towards the birth of what we call the Philippines.

What Skills Does a Student of History Develop?

• The Ability to Assess Evidence – For instance, there is an article in a newspaper, a
history student would know if it is true or fake especially if the source is the social
media.

• The Ability to Assess Conflicting Interpretations – Example, Filipinos are divided

into Pro-Aquino or Pro-Marcos. With regards to either the two, there would be
conflicting narratives. As history students, you have the ability to assess and don’t just
take sides like most people do. When you take sides, make sure that you have evidence
not just because of its popularity.

• Experience to Assessing Past Examples of Change – the climate change, whether its
true or not, depends on the evidence.
Reference:
Streans, P., Why Study History, American Historical Association, 1998

What are the Different Types of Sources:

• Primary Sources – original materials on which other research is based.
• Primary Sources Include:
1. Interviews, diaries, journals, speeches, autobiographies, and witness reports
2. Original hand written manuscripts (e.g., Noli me Tangere of Jose Rizal)
3. Government documents and public records
4. Newspaper and magazine clippings
5. Artifacts, buildings, furniture and clothing (The first Philippine flag)

 If someone claims to be a witness, you have to distinguish whether he is an eye

witness or just a planted witness. If he is not an eye witness, he has no business in
writing that report.
 Newspaper and magazine clippings that are published at that time. The primary
source was written when the situation happened. If it is written yesterday, it is not
considered as a primary source.

• Secondary Sources – those that describe or analyze primary sources.

• Examples:
1. Pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources
2. Textbooks, journal articles, histories, criticism, commentaries, encyclopedias

 If you took a picture of a lion, the picture is secondary sources. The primary would
be the lion itself. (Example for #1)
 Encyclopedias provide us reports or commentaries on artifacts and provide history.
(Example #2)

• Tertiary Sources – Those used to organize and locate secondary and primary sources
• Examples: Directories, guidebooks, manuals, handbooks, indexing, and abstracting
sources
 Example: An outline about Philippine history, the notes that are given.

 Can a human person become a primary source?

- Yes, it is called a witness. For example: A columnist named Rigoberto Tiglao.
When he writes on Martial Law for instance, he is considered as a primary
source. Because he was already a grown-up man during martial law, he was
imprisoned. So, every time he writes about martial law it is practically a witness
report.