What is History?

An Art or A Science

History is NOT “a confused heap of facts”! There is often no one answer.

History

• Greek istor= Inquiry

Historians give facts meaning!

Mary Beard

Charles Beard

Frederick Jackson Turner

Arthur Schlessinger

Noam Chompsky

Howard Zinn

Is it an Art or a Science?

ART• Narrative-Storytelling• Creative Thinking• Detective Work

SCIENCE• Hypothesize• Gather/Organize Evidence• Evaluate/Analyze Data &

Info

SourcesPrimary

A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include: •ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records •CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art •RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Examples of primary sources include: •Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII •The Constitution - US History •A journal article reporting NEW research or findings •Weavings and pottery - Native American history •Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece

SecondaryA secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources include: •PUBLICATIONS: magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias and textbooks (sometimes called tertiary sources)

Examples of secondary sources include: •A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings •A history textbook (tertiary)•A book about the effects of WWI•Article/book by a historian

Revision• Asking new questions• Changes in society/Perspective• New sources or info

Facts: 3 Pigs, 1 Wolf, Stick House, Straw House, Brick House, 1st Pig Eaten, 2nd Pig Eaten, 3rd Pig lives.

TRADITIONAL

• The Wolf is the villain• The Pigs are the victims• Whose perspective is this

from? Is there bias?

REVISIONIST

• The Wolf just needs a cup of sugar. He’s a victim of circumstance.

• The Pigs are rude and killed on accident.

• Whose perspective is this from? Is there bias?

What is the difference between the two histories?

Examples

• Columbus• Native Americans• John Brown• Charles & Mary Beard and the Economic

Interpretation of the Constitution• The Atomic Bomb• (ANY HISTORICAL TOPIC!)

Historiography

• The study of historians and the changing interpretations of history (bias and perspective)

• PIGS v WOLVES

Why Study History?

History explains how we got where we are.

History gives us a sense of who we are.

History may help us avoid the errors of the past.

It can be used as a weapon if you don’t!

History is about the consequences of our actions. It helps develop empathy.

History can bring groups together and end ethnocentrism.

History makes us better thinkers!

History is interesting!

YOUR JOB:• Be aware of complexity and conflicting

interpretations• Question and evaluate• Understand bias and perspective of historians

and participants