ANCIENT HISTORY Mr. Spencer Rm 2011

What is History? Write your own definition of History in your notebooks. Jacob Burkhardt, a Swiss Historian, stated “history is what one age finds worthy of note in another age”. It is the study of change over time. Cicero stated, “Not to know what happened before one was born is to remain a child.”

Ancient History Our annual calendars focus on the life of Christ. (Christian calendar) –B.C. (What does it mean?) Before Christ –A.D. (Does it mean “after death”?) No – Anno Domini – Latin for “after the birth”. There is another calendar which uses –B.C.E – Before Common Era –A.C.E – After Common Era

Bias in History What is bias? –It is a slanted view of something. A one-sidedness. POLITICAL Rush Limbaugh, Radio Talk Show Host Example: Proclaimed right wing republican uses his talk show to promote his party's platform beliefs. SELF-PROMOTERS Authors of books, websites, or various written works promote their works for self-gratification. Example: Toyota Today Magazine rating its Toyota cars as the best in its class based on some specifications outlined by them. FINANCIAL A individual or company creates website to advertise a product or service. Example: Receiving Tax Tips from a website designed and maintained by H&R Block. SPONSORS A individual or company supports a website with the intention of gaining exposure. Example: Gaining interview and resume writing tips from a website sponsored by Kelly and Manpower Temporary Services.

Bias How can this hurt history? –It can distort the real story. It can misinterpret the information.

Historian’s Theories Historians have to fill in the missing pieces with educated guesses. They make these guesses by gathering as much information as possible from using: –Artifacts – human made objects (pottery, utensils, weapons.)

–Primary Sources – written by people of the period. (newspapers, diaries) –Secondary Sources – written about past events. (autobiographies, encyclopedias,)

Historians areas of focus Historians focus on figuring out 4 areas of the past: Politics – how the people organized and governed themselves Economics – how the communities worked regarding trade and $. Society – social groups, what shaped society Culture – what were the important piece that made the community unique. (dress, activities, language)

Other Sciences There are many sciences that help historians in developing theories or putting information together:  Anthropology - ?  study of humans.  Archaeology –  study of remains of humans, animals and habitats.  Geology –  study of the land.  Philology –  study of languages

 Psychology –  study of the mind and human behaviour.  Sociology –  Study of society.  Paleontology –  Study of fossil remain to understand past geological periods.

Why Study History? History helps you discover how your world evolved. History trains your mind and teaches you how to think and process info. The pursuit of historical events and people is fun - a form of time travel. A lack of historical knowledge prevents people from truly understanding the world they live in

Why Study History? History helps you understand the origins of modern political and social problems. History lets you learn how and why people behaved as they did, whether they are Elizabeth I, Hitler or John Lennon... History makes you appreciate that people in the past were not just 'good' or 'bad', but motivated in complex and inconsistent ways, just like us.

Why Study History? History helps you make sense of most other subjects. History provides you with the skills employers are looking for. History gives you back your past. Without an understanding of the past, the present doesn't make much sense

Why Study History? "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." What do you think this statement means? Do you agree with it? Why/not?

History Students that Became Famous Edward Norton Famous actor studied History at Yale

History Students that Became Famous Mira Sorvino Famous actress studied History at Harvard

History Students that Became Famous Chris Martin Band: Coldplay Stuied UCL

History Students that Became Famous Sting Famous musician History teacher