LESSON 1
This lesson will examine the notion of history in terms of its’ meaning, relevance and
perspectives. Also to be discussed are the sources of history- the primary and secondary.
Sources like newspapers, eye witness accounts, government reports, diaries, memoirs,
speeches, books and the like will be delved closely with the internal and external criticism to
determine the validity and authenticity of such documents.
History consists of description and narration of past actuality integrated through critical
inquiry through for the whole truth (Gottschalk, 1950). Further, history studies the past and the
legacies of the past in the present. Far from being a 'dead' subject, it connects things through time
and encourages its students to take a long view of such connections (Corfield, n.d.).
All people and peoples are living histories. To take a few obvious examples: communities
speak languages that are inherited from the past. They live in societies with complex cultures,
traditions and religions that have not been created on the spur of the moment. People use
technologies that they have not themselves invented. And each individual is born with a personal
variant of an inherited genetic template, known as the genome, which has evolved during the
entire life-span of the human species.
So understanding the linkages between past and present is absolutely basic for a good
understanding of the condition of being human. That, in a nutshell, is why History matters. It is
not just 'useful', it is essential (Corfield, n.d.).
Primary sources were either created during the time
period being studied or were created at a later date by a
participant in the events being studied (as in the case of
memoirs). They reflect the individual viewpoint of a
participant or observer. Primary sources enable the
researcher to get as close as
possible to what actually
happened during an historical
event or time period. Sources
such as artefacts, eye witness
account,
newspapers,
government
reports,
diaries,
memoirs,
speeches and the
like.
A secondary
source is a work that
interprets
or
analyzes
an
historical event or phenomenon. It is generally at
least one step removed from the event is often based
on primary sources. Examples include: scholarly or
popular books and articles, reference books, and
textbooks.
The said sources will be examined thru Historical criticism. First, the external criticism
which refers to the authenticity of the document. Once a document has been determined to be
genuine (external criticism), researchers need to determine if the content is accurate (internal
criticism).
(Sources:
https://eac.libguides.com/c.php?g=623210&p=4784148;
https://researchbasics.education.uconn.edu/historical_research/)
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1.4.1. REFERENCES
Cornfield, Penelope. “All people are living histories-which is why history matters.”
Retrieved 20 April 2020.
https://archives.history.ac.uk/makinghistory/resources/articles/why_history_matters.html
“Nietzsche’s The Use and Abuse of History”. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
https://www.thoughtco.com/nietzsches-the-use-and-abuse-of-history-2670323
Hila, Antonio C. “The Filipino Point of View in Historical Interpretation as Articulated by
Teodoro Agoncillo.” Asia-Pacific Social Science Review. Vol. 2 No.1. 2001. Retrieved 18
April 2020. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=5814
Gottschalk, Louise. “Understanding History”. New York: Alfred A. Knofp, 1969. Pp. 4161; 117-170. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
http://www.textexcavation.com/historicalmethod.html
Howell, M. and Prevenier.”From a Reliable Source: An introduction to Historical Method”.
Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2001.
http://www.textexcavation.com/historicalmethod.html
History: Difference between Primary & Secondary Sources.
https://eac.libguides.com/c.php?g=623210&p=4784148
1.4.2 SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS:
Corpuz, Onofre. “The Roots of Filipino Nation”. 2 Volumes. Quezon City: Aklahi
Foundation, 1989. Retrived 20 April
2020.https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=625&ei=QMedXuiHBJWfmgea_KiI
Cw&q=onofre+corpuz+the+roots+of+the+filipino+nation+pdf&oq=Onofre+Corpuz%2C+T
he+Roots
Montemar, L.C. “The Problem with Philippine History Education: Why are our students
weak in Philippine History and social studies in general?”. Rappler, 26 September 2015.
Retrieved 19 April 2020. https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/107094-problem-phhistory-education
1.4.3 VIDEO LINKS:
Primary and Secondary
sources:https://eac.libguides.com/c.php?g=623210&p=4784148
(Online sources and video for primary and secondary sources courtesy of Asst. Prof. Rey
Rodriguez)