CHAPTER I

Learning Outcomes:

1. To understand the meaning of history as an academic discipline and to be familiarized with the
underlying philosophy and methodology of the discipline
2. To examine and assess critically the value of historical evidences and sources.
3. To apply the knowledge in historical methodology and philosophy in assessing and analyzing
existing historical narratives.
Course Description
This course analyzes Philippine history from multiple perspectives through the
lens of selected primary sources coming from various disciplines and of different genres.
Students are given opportunities to analyze the author’s background and main arguments,
compare different points of view, identify biases and examine the evidences presented in the
document. Discussions will tackle traditional topics in history and other interdisciplinary themes
that will deepen and broaden students understanding of Philippine political, economic, cultural,
social, scientific and religious history. Primary materials will be given priority to develop
students analytical and communication skills. The end goal is to develop the historical and
critical consciousness of the students so that they will become versatile, articulate, broad-
minded, morally upright and responsible citizens.

LESSON 1: LEARNING HISTORY

 To make sense of history, it is necessary to first understand what it is all about. Many
people think that history is merely lists of names, dates, places, and “important” places.
However, history or the study of history is more than just knowing and memorizing facts.
 It is a historian’s duty to draw insights from the ideas and realities that have shaped the
lives of men and women and the society. And in understanding these ideas, a historian
(or, in fact, a student of history) can comprehend how situations happened, identify their
elements, and think of how these situations can solve today’s predicaments and help plan
for the future.

What is History

 It was derived from the Greek word “istoia (historia)” which means knowledge
acquired through inquiry or investigation. The study of the beliefs and desires,
practices and institutions of human beings.

 It also includes a look into the development of Philippine culture through time
especially with the influence of the colonial period that would eventually shape
the present Philippine identity.
  It is is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information
about these events which is based on the critical examination of various sources
and authentic materials.

 It is a continues process, written in a chronological order of events and it is

important to our society. History is a brief summary or result based on a factual
research and it also deals with the sequence of important events. It deals with
science that describe and examine past event in the specific group of people.

 By its most common definition, the word history now means, “the past of
mankind.”

Why Study History?

History has played various roles in the past. States use history to unite a
nation. It can be used as a tool to legitimize regimes and forge a sense of
collective memory. Lessons from the past can be used to make sense of the
present. Learning of past mistakes can help people not to repeat it. Being
reminded of the great past can inspire people to keep their good practices to move
forward.

Studying history is important especially in the Philippine setting. These are the reasons
why we need to study:
1. We could determine and understand the contribution of our ancestor in the foundation of our
humanity, origin, and inherent culture. History gives picture to our humanity and to our society.
2. We could understand the task in the present and future if we study the history. The events in
the past has relation to our present and future. It gives meaning in different things and events in
our society.
3. History can be used to examine and forecast the things in the environment and society. We’ve
learned to appreciate culture, love, and respect other people in the world.
4. History can give us deeper understanding of different problems and offer solutions in our
present and future. In the study of the past events, we discover new ways in studying in solving
problems in the present and future.
5. History is an eye opener to understand our culture, language and society. History may arouse
patriotic, humanitarian nature in people.
6. History develops our knowledge about different race of people, culture, place, and time.
7. The stories of past about people and things in the world we live provide valuable lessons to us.
8. In studying history we’ve learned different ways of studying and researching in the social
sciences. It helps us to learn different ways of discovering new knowledge.

LESSON 2: UNDERSTANDING SOURCES

HISTORICAL SOURCES
It is from historical sources that our history is studied and written. But in
analyzing them, several methodologies and theories were used by historians to properly study
history and glean from the sources what is, for them, a proper way of writing history to enhance
and disseminate national identity
Historian’s most important research tools are historical sources. In general,
historical can be classified between primary and secondary sources. The classification of sources
between these two categories depends on the historical subject being studied.

 Category of Historical Resources

Primary Resources Secondary Sources

 usually defined as first-hand  are those sources, which were produced

information or data that is generated by
witnesses or participants in past events.
 those sources produces at the same
time as the event, period or subject
being studied.
Examples: eyewitness accounts, diaries,
letters, legal documents, official documents
(government or private), and even
photographs. Formally, there are eight
examples of these primary sources:
by an author who used primary sources
to production the material.
 the testimony of anyone who is not an
eyewitness – that is of one who was not
present at the event of which he tells.
 In other words, secondary sources are
historical sources, which studied a
certain historical subject.
Examples: books, articles and scholarly
journals.

1. Photographs that may reflect social

conditions of historical realities and everyday
life
2. Old sketches and drawings that may
indicate the conditions of life of societies in
the past
3. Old maps that may reveal how space and
geography were used to emphasize trade
routes, structural build-up, etc.
4. Cartoons for political expression or
propaganda
5. Material evidence of the prehistoric past like
cave drawings, old syllabaries (set of written
symbols that represent the syllables which
make up words), and ancient writings
6. Statistical tables, graphs, and charts
7. Oral history or recordings by electronic
means of accounts of eyewitnesses or
participants; the recordings are then
transcribed and used for research.
8. Published and e-unpublished primary
documents, eyewitness accounts, and other
written sources.

 We should not be confused between the difference of primary and secondary resources,
as mention above, the classification of sources between primary and secondary depends
not on the period when the source was produced or the type of the source but not on the
subject of the historical research.

 Both primary and secondary sources are useful in writing and learning history. However,
historians and students of history need to thoroughly scrutinize these historical sources to
avoid deception and come up with the historical truth.

 The historian should be able to conduct an external and internal criticism of the source,
especially primary sources which can age in centuries.

Internal criticism External criticism

 is the examination of the
truthfulness of the evidence.
 It looks at the content of the source
and examines the circumstance of
its production.
 is the practice of verifying the
authenticity of evidence by
examining its physical
characteristics; consistency with
the historical characteristics of the
time when it was product; and the
materials used for the evidence.

 It examined the quality of paper,

type of ink and the language and
words used in the material.