1. What is History? An Art or A Science

2. History is NOT “a confused heap of facts”! There is often no one answer.

3. History Greek istor= Inquiry

4. Historians give facts meaning! Mary Beard Charles Beard Frederick Jackson Turner Arthur Schlessinger Noam Chompsky Howard Zinn

5. Is it an Art or a Science? ART Narrative-Storytelling Creative Thinking Detective Work SCIENCE Hypothesize Gather/Organize Evidence Evaluate/Analyze Data & Info

6. Sources Primary A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include: ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings Examples of primary sources include: Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII The Constitution - US History A journal article reporting NEW research or findings Weavings and pottery - Native American history Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece Secondary A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources include: PUBLICATIONS: magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias and textbooks (sometimes called tertiary sources) Examples of secondary sources include: A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings A history textbook (tertiary) A book about the effects of WWI Article/book by a historian

7. Revision Asking new questions Changes in society/Perspective New sources or info

8. Facts: 3 Pigs, 1 Wolf, Stick House, Straw House, Brick House, 1 st Pig Eaten, 2 nd Pig Eaten, 3 rd Pig lives. TRADITIONAL The Wolf is the villain The Pigs are the victims Whose perspective is this from? Is there bias? REVISIONIST The Wolf just needs a cup of sugar. He’s a victim of circumstance. The Pigs are rude and killed on accident. Whose perspective is this from? Is there bias? What is the difference between the two histories?

9. Examples Columbus Native Americans John Brown Charles & Mary Beard and the Economic Interpretation of the Constitution The Atomic Bomb (ANY HISTORICAL TOPIC!)

10. Historiography The study of historians and the changing interpretations of history (bias and perspective) PIGS v WOLVES

12. Why Study History?

13. History explains how we got where we are.

14. History gives us a sense of who we are.

15. History may help us avoid the errors of the past.

16. It can be used as a weapon if you don’t!

17. History is about the consequences of our actions. It helps develop empathy.

18. History can bring groups together and end ethnocentrism.

19. History makes us better thinkers!

20. History is interesting!

21. YOUR JOB: Be aware of complexity and conflicting interpretations Question and evaluate Understand bias and perspective of historians and participants