Theories RPH

What is History?
ancient castles, the prized possessions of autograph

To make sense of history, it is necessary to first collectors, the records. of parish churches, etc. Having some
understand what it is all about. Many people think that subject in mind, with more or less definite delimitation
history is merely lists of names, dates, places, and important" of the persons, areas, times, and functions
events. However, history or the study of history is more than It is from historical sources that our history is studied
just knowing and memorizing facts. and written. But in analyzing them, several methodologies
It is a historian's duty to draw insights from the ideas and and theories were used by historians to properly study
realities that have shaped the lives of men and women and history and glean from the sources what is, for them, a
the society. And in understanding these ideas, a historian (or, proper way of writing history to enhance and disseminate
in fact, a student of history) can comprehend how situations national identity.
happened, identify their elements, and think of how these  Primary Sources
situations can solve today's predicaments and help plan for Primary sources are materials produced by people or
the future. groups directly involved in the event or topic being studied.
These people are either participants or eyewitnesses to the
The study of history, therefore, is the study of the event. These sources range from eyewitness accounts,
beliefs anddesires, practices, and institutions of human diaries, letters, legal
beings. documents, official documents (government or private), and
With this definition, history becomes an active factor even Formally, here are eight examples of these primary
inthe study of Philippine society. It also includes a look into sources:
thedevelopment of Philippine culture through time especially 1. Photographs that may reflect social conditions of
with the influences of the colonial period that would historical realities and everyday life
eventually shape the present Philippine identity. 2. Old sketches and drawings that may indicate the conditions
of life of societies in the past
Why Study History? .3. Old maps that may reveal how space and geography
An examination of the past can tell us a great deal were used to emphasize trade routes, structural build-
abouthow we came to be who we are. It mean looking at the up, etc.
roots ofmodern institutions, ideas, values, and problems. 4. Cartoons for political expression or propaganda
Looking at the past teaches us to see the world 5.Material evidence of the prehistoric pact like cae
through different eyesappreciating the diversity of human drawings, old syllabaries, and ancient writings
perceptions, beliefs, and cultures. Different andlor new 6. Statistical tables, graphs, and charts
perspectives will enable us to analyze critically the present 7.Oral history or recordings by electronic means of
contexts of society and beings. accounts of eyewitnesses or participants; the recordings
are then transcribed and used for research.
The Meaning of "History"
8. Published and unpublished primary documet
The English word history is derived from the Greek
eyewitness accounts, and other written sources.
noun “istoia”, meaning learning. As used by the Greek
philosopher Aristotle, history meant a systematic account of a  Secondary Sources
set of natural phenomena, whether or not chronological Gottschalk simply defines secondary sources as "the
factoring was a factor in the account... In the course of time, testimony of anyone who is not an eyewitness--t that is of
however, the equivalent Latin word scientia (English, science) one who was not present at the event of which he tells".
came to be used more These are books, articles, and scholarly journals that had
regularly to designate non-chronological systematic accounts interpreted primary sources or had used them to discuss
By its most common definition, the word history certain subjects of history.
now means, "the past of mankind.".
What are Sources?

In his work, Understanding History, Gottschalk
(195o) discusses the importance of sources for the historian's
work:
The historian, howvever, has to use manymaterials
that are not in books. Where these are archeological,
epigraphical, on numismatical materials, he has to depend
largely on museumns. Where there are official records, he
may have to search for them in archives, courthouses,
government libraries, etc. Where there are private papers not
available in official collections, he mayhave to hunt among
.
the papers of business houses, the muniment rooms of
.

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What is History?

ancient castles, the prized possessions of autograph

What are Sources?

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