WHAT IS HISTORY? - HIS100 Spring 2025
Course
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This course offers an introduction to methods, concepts and controversies which confront and challenge historians today, in the researching, writing and justifying of professional historical work. It is predominantly concerned with exploring various assumptive and theoretical foundations of historical practice, espoused by historians both past and present, and learning about how these various approaches are contested and debated.
Key second order concepts to be considered include objectivity, causality, representation, memory, past, progress and multiperspectivity. We will be particularly interested in how postmodernist commentators and historians have challenged many of the assumptions and methods upon which attempts to write objective history have been based. The course is also concerned with exploring particular methodological aspects of history in substantial detail. Sessions are dedicated to primary source criticism and so-called cliometrics (the application of quantitative techniques to historical research).
Here is the course outline:
1. Introduction: What is History?
Jan 30 11:15am .. 2pm
The major characteristics and tasks of the course are explained. A brief introduction to history as a field of study. Difference to the past and memory. Writing and rewriting of history (use of Socialism Realised material). Papers to write responses to shall be distributed (response due in week 4). |
2. Historical Methodology I: Primary Sources
Feb 6
From remnants of the past to source to evidence. Research/key question and their relationship to a source's primary and secondary character. Perspectives of historical actors on practical examples (Digital Inquiry Group Stanford lesson Lunchroom Fight 1). How do we know what we know (epistemology of history)? |
3. Historical thinking, historical literacy
Feb 13
What makes a person historically literate? What constitutes historical thinking? (Digital Inquiry Group lesson Lunchroom Fight 2) Reading: Lee: Historical literacy |
4. History, Science, and Morality
Feb 20
This class will discuss how history relates to the arts and sciences and its essential purpose. Students will also work on inquiry-based online activity No. 1 during the class. Reading: Evans, Defence of History, ch. 2 |
5. Historiography- The History of History
Feb 27
The dominant trends in professional history since the nineteenth century include the challenge of postmodernism from the 1970s. The workshop will include texts representing different schools of thought. Reading: Evans, Defence of History, ch. 1 |
6. An Archive in the work of Historians and in the Public Debate- field trip
Mar 6 11:15am .. 1:15pm, Branické nám. 777/2, Praha 4–Braník
A field trip to the archive: We meet at the AAU at 1115. Anyone late, please, call me at 724282364 |
7. Inquiry-based activities and their reflection
Mar 13
90-minute written exam. Building on the experience with the inquiry-based activities, students will be given one in the class to complete. This is going to be followed by a written reflection (mini-essay) on the process of historical thinking. Notes or other aides are allowed. |
8. AI, History, Memory (and Education)
Mar 20
The lesson should look both from the theoretical and practical side on the challenges and opportunities of LLM generative tools for history, memory and education. |
9. Is presentism a Curse, a Challenge , or an Opportunity?
Apr 3
Presentism as a challenge, debates around the role of history today. |
10. The Debate- tbc
Apr 10, 2.06 (community time, before, at the usual 2.04
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11. Objectivity and its Limits on Example: The Denial
Apr 17
Can traditional history adequately address the objections raised by postmodernism concerning the possibility of attaining objective knowledge about the past? We shall watch the 2016 Denial featured film and discuss these points based on the experience. Reading: Lipstadt, Denying the Holocaust. The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory. New York: The Free Press, 1993, Preface and ch. 10. |
12. Presentations 1 and Quant 1
Apr 24
The application of quantitative methodologies to history. Reading: Hudson: History by Numbers, ch.1 |
13. Presentations 2 and Quant 2
May 15
Each student will deliver a ten-minute presentation, summarizing the findings of their essays. Assignments/deadlines: Students will submit their presentation notes to the instructor at the close of class. |
14. Final Discussion and Essay Submission
May 19
What ultimate conclusions can we as a class arrive at regarding the questions raised over the past fourteen weeks? Read Richard Evans’ response to his critics to help stimulate your thoughts. Electronic copy required via NEO by midnight. |