Module 1

Understanding Meaning and Relevance in History

 Course learning outcomes
At the end of the chapter, you are able to :
• Define history as an academic discipline;
• Explain the nature of history and its nuances;
• Appreciate the value and importance of knowing the past
• Familiarize oneself with the methods of historical study
 Definition and Subject Matter
• History is the study of the past.
• This definition does not give justice to the complexity of the subject
and its importance to human civilization.
 History
• Derived from the Greek word,
historia, knowledge acquired
through inquiry or investigation.
• Adapted to classical Latin where
it acquired a new definition.
• Historia- account of the past of a
person or of a group of people
through written documents and
historical evidences.
• It became an important discipline.
• The duty of the historian was to write about the lives of important
individuals like monarchs, heroes, saints and nobilities.
• It also focused on writing about wars, revolutions, and other important
breakthroughs.
 What accounts as history?
• Traditional historians believed that if there are no documents, then
there can be no history.
• What is the disadvantage of this perspective?
1) It invalidates the history of other civilizations that do not keep
written records;
2) It also discriminates against other social classes who are not
recorded in paper.
• This loophole was recognized by historians who started using other
kinds of historical sources (not written) but just as valid.
• i.e. epics, songs, artifacts, architecture, coins, epitaphs, even memory.
• What was the offshoot of this?
• History became more inclusive and started collaborating with other
disciplines as its auxiliary disciplines.
 • E. Carr in his work What is • As a field of inquiry
Other History? defines it in two • It is the systematic study a
definitions of ways: historian makes to explain
• As a process the directions and changes
History • It includes the past as it in the historical process.
happened and those that are
being created.
• Early history, ancient history,
contemporary history, the
making of history, history in
the making
 Characteristics:
• It follows a systematic method of gathering data from historical
sources;
• It tests a hypothesis;
• It forms conclusions based on verified or tested evidence.
• It uses qualitative analytical techniques
Processes involved
 History

Historia Kasaysayan
 For whom is it relevant?
1. To ourselves
It nurtures personal and collective identity in a diverse world.

It teaches us vital skills.

 For whom is it relevant?
2. To our communities
It is the foundation of a strong, vibrant community.
It is the catalyst for economic growth.
States use history to unite a nation.
 For whom is it relevant?
3. To our future
It helps people envision a better future.
It inspires leaders.
It is the foundation of future generations.
 For whom is it relevant?
4. It is always intended for a group of audiences.
 Questions and Issues of History
The accusation that history is always written by victors.

This impression can be avoided if a more thorough historical

investigation is in place which will reveal a more nuanced account of
history of a period, instead of a simplified narrative as a story of hero
versus the villain.