Historiography The Study of Writing History

What is history? “History is the record of the life of people through the ages, written after careful study, which attempts to interpret the significance of the recorded events to human beings.” History: What is it for?

Why study History? The purpose of history is to explain the past as a key to understand the present in order to, hopefully, successfully guide the future. Because… The events of today are similar to the events of past… http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=vgmNkY UL_Cw

How is history recorded? How do historians know what to investigate and research?

They start with a question Was Louis Riel the founder of Manitoba?

Then they form a tentative answer or hypothesis. Yes, I think he was…. Then they form a tentative answer or hypothesis.

Then they research evidence to prove their hypothesis. Ask the 5ws – who, what, when, where, why? Then they research evidence to prove their hypothesis.

The Two Types of Historical Evidence

Primary Sources People use original, first-hand accounts as building blocks to create stories from the past. These accounts are called primary sources, because they are the first evidence of something happening, or being thought or said. Primary sources are created at the time of an event, or very soon after something has happened. These sources are often rare or one-of-a-kind. However, some primary sources can also exist in many copies, if they were popular and widely available at the time that they were created.

Examples of Primary Sources: Written testimonies, diaries, letters, notebooks Ruins of buildings, churches, battlegrounds Photographs, cartoons, portraits Published first-hand accounts, or stories Newsreels, newspapers, magazines, documentaries Taped/scripted interviews, conferences Maps, charts Art Video and film Sound recordings Examples of Primary Sources:

Records the findings of someone who did not observe the event, but who investigated the primary source. Second-hand, published accounts created after primary sources and they often use or talk about primary sources. Secondary sources can give additional opinions (sometimes called bias) on a past event or on a primary source. Secondary Sources

Examples of Secondary Sources History textbooks (although there could be copies of primary sources in a text like a letter- hint look for italics) Journal articles, biographies, movies of historical events, encyclopedias… often have many copies, found in libraries, schools or homes. Examples of Secondary Sources

Reliability of Evidence Evidence can be fraudulent or inaccurate Eyewitness accounts can be purposely or mistakenly reported Emotions get in the way

-Historians must be careful when researching evidence, they must…. 1) Ask their Question 2) Form a tentative answer 3) Research evidence— a) by separating Fact from Fiction (like a judge) b) researching differing sources 4) Then, and only then can they draw a conclusion

Bias Inclination of a witness or historian towards a particular side Influenced by culture, religion, family ties, education, age, etc Bias

The father of a soccer player would not be a fair ref because he may be biased towards his daughter’s team. Example of bias

Inaccurate mental impression of a particular group or individual, etc. Stereotypes

Example of stereotypes All high school kids are lazy. Example of stereotypes

When you regard your own cultures is the most important or best. Everyone is ethnocentric to a degree Ethnocentricity

Example of ethnocentricity East Kildonan is the best. It is waaaaay better than Charleswood. Example of ethnocentricity

History should be tested for accuracy against other sources Does the evidence contradict itself or other sources? ALWAYS keep an open mind when reading historical sources! Don’t let your biases get in the way! Reliability

1) History provides us with Identity (individual and national) -place of birth, date of birth, nationality, family name for example. 2) History helps us to understand the Present Compare life today with that of the past Build the future on what we know of the past

3) History is a cultural experience -places, people and events become significant as we learn about them. 4)History is a body of knowledge. Dates Facts People Interpretations  which we use to develop skills in –reading, writing, speaking and thinking

How Historians are Judges (write this part down on looseleaf) Theories..vs..Facts..vs..Opinion What is a Theory? -best described as an explanation that IS NOT completely proven. Examples:  Theory of Evolution Plate Tectonic Theory How Historians are Judges (write this part down on looseleaf)

What is a Fact? -A fact is a fully proven concept (An unarguable statement) Examples…… Sir John A. Macdonald was Canada’s First Prime Minister Mr. McFarlane is Kildonan-East Colligates Principal

What is an opinion? -An opinion is a statement made by a person. It states how someone feels, but does not qualify as fact. Examples: Kildonan-East Collegiate is the BEST School!!!

Are you a good eyewitness- video and quiz Click on this sentence to do this quiz at home Are you a good eyewitness- video and quiz Survivorman hunts for Artifacts- The National Part 2 (pauses…) Search on the Missinaibi River November 22, 2009-11-23 Les Stroud’s “Survivorman” hunts for artifacts under the rushing waters…HBC artifacts approx. 10 mins (there are 2 parts) http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/lost-in-arctic-for-169-years-franklin-ship-found-a-great-moment-for-canada-1.1998353 http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/ship-from-famous-lost-franklin-expedition-found-in-arctic-1.1998742