History 411
Spring 2005
So How Should I Prepare for the Historians’ Forum?
The purpose of the Historians’ forum is to get you to do two things: 1.synthesize
the material in Tosh and 2. apply it to a historian who has contributed to the
historiography of your topic.
Step 1: Using the vocabulary, concepts, ideas, definitions, etc., included in the Tosh book,
define your historian. Examine what he or she has written, how he/she uses sources, how
he/she comments or responds to other people’s work. Another way to get a sense of your
historian is to read book reviews (done by other scholars) of their work. Knowing what
they’ve published and where (in the case of journal articles) can also provide insight.
Step 2: Use Tosh as a way of analyzing your historian. For example, if you know your
historian is a modernist, what does this mean about his/her view of the question of
objectivity? How does he/she approach her sources? If your historian is a Marxist, what
might they think about a modernist approach? More traditional approaches to the past? If
you historian is a post modernist, how would they view their sources? The question of
objectivity? Historical truth?
Step 3: Look at the questions assigned for the forum and try to figure out how your
historian would respond. There will be essentially four clusters of questions addressing
the following themes: Remember you are responding to these questions as your historian.
Your responses should reflect her/his view and not your own.
What is history? What is the purpose of history?
The issues of objectivity and subjectivity, eg. Can historians be objective? Should they be
objective?
What is the relationship between the past and the present? How does the present shape
the past?
What is the role of the historian? What are the responsibilities of the historian?
Here are some more focused or pointed questions that will help you get into the issues
identified above.
1. What is the purpose of history?
2. What is the role of the historian? What are the responsibilities of the historian?
3. Why do you study history? (You meaning your historian)
4. How do you gain and interpret knowledge from the past? How do you use sources?
What do you think are the limits of historical evidence?
5. How have the changes in the professional study of history since the 19th century
shaped you as an historian? Do you see these changes an improvement in how historians
do history?
6. What kinds of history are being undertaken today? How would you describe yourself
and the history you write? Do you consider any specific kind or method of history
"invalid"?
7. Can/Should we apply the methods and objectives of the social sciences to history?
8. What does it mean to be a Marxist historian? What do you think of such historians?
9. What does it mean to be a feminist historian? What do you think of such historians?
10. What does it mean to be a Postmodern historian? What do you think of such
historians?
11. Do the political views and inclinations of historians matter? Does it shape your work?
12. Can historians be objective?
13. Should historians be objective? Are you?
14. Does history have practical uses?
15. What value is popular history in your view?
Step 4: Examine the descriptions of the other historians posted on the class web site.
Which ones would be your allies? Which ones would you disagree with? Try to develop
questions you can ask each other challenging that particular historians’ approach to the
past. Feel free to PRACTICE. Arrange to get together and talk.
Some Friendly Suggestions for the Historians’ Forum
Come to the Forum prepared to introduce yourself as your historian and make a very
brief opening statement explaining either what you study or your main contribution to the
study of history
(your statement shouldn’t exceed one sentence)
Remember that you are speaking from the position or perspective of your historian
You should be prepared to ask each other questions, to respond to questions about the
nature of history, to interact with each other, to agree/disagree with each other
Link to Questions for the Forum
Remember that you will be evaluated on how effectively you participate in the discussion.
History faculty will probably not address specific questions to specific historians (though
this may happen as a follow-up question or to further the conversation).
You need to take responsibility for being sure that your voice is heard!! Be polite, don’t
interrupt each other, but do not be shy about speaking up!!
Practicing for the Forum is a very good idea. Arrange an informal session with the other
members of History 411. Come up with questions you can ask your fellow historians
Food will be provided
Good Luck and Have Fun!!