What is History?

the study of the past and its documentation.

What does the word History come from?

The ancient Greek word "Historia", meaning to acquire

What is Historiography?

the study and use of methods used by historians in developing historical narratives.

it can be both an original narrative or one that revises preconceived notions.

Why study History?

it builds valuable skills like analysis, writing, editing, and critical thinking.

it provides us context and understanding.

history tells us a story and connects us to our past and heritage.

Primary Source

documents written during the time under study.

Example: Old shoes, art/painting, original research data, voice recordings, direct evidence

Secondary source

secondhand information and commentary from other writers.

Examples: Cato's letters, biographies, reviews or critiques, articles or essays, books and textbooks.

Tertiary source

collection of secondhand sources, provides no commentary from the author

Examples: databases, guides, summaries, guides, index, and almanacs.

What are the different ways time is measured in?

BC : Before Christ

AD : (Anno domini, or year of our lord)

BCE : Before common era

CE : Common era

Great man theory

The theory that much of history is dictated by the words and actions of society's elites.

social history

focused on the lived experiences of everyday people

Progressive History

Social trends follow linear progress

Examples: Women's suffrage movement, child labor reforms.

cycial history

societies tend to follow certain cycles

Examples: fall of empires (Rome) and economic cycles (Growth → Peak → Recession → Recovery, repeat)

intellectual history

societies are centered around certain ideas

examples: enlightenment (John Locke), ancient philosophy (Plato), industrial age (capitalism, revolution)

Revisionism

the advocacy to revise long-held historic view, theory, or doctrine.

examples: disability rights activism, civil rights movement, gender equality campaigns, plastic bag bans, wildlife protections laws.

historical empathy

the ability to meet the past on its own terms and without judgement or imposition of modern-day attitudes and today's standards.

what is a civilization?

a complex society characterized by having

• permanent settlement
• culture
• a government
• an economy
• social stratification (classes, like upper class, middle class, and lower class)

stems from the Latin word "Civilis"