Understanding Thematic History

Historiography, Chronology, Timelines, and Historical Themes

Why Study History?

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=191139&title=Why_Study_History

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1. Understanding the past is the key to understanding the present

2. It keeps us informed on current events as they unfold.

3. It helps us to appreciate multiple perspectives and interpretations.

4. Analyzing history strengthens our critical thinking skills.

5. It trains us to gather evidence and to find patterns and trends.

6. You can apply information from the past to analyze and solve problems in the present.

7. It gives us an understanding of other people and cultures.

8. It challenges us to think outside the box, and to be creative. 

9. History gives us the excitement of discovery, and the reward of solving real world problems.

How does perspective affect historical interpretations?

What is Historiography?

writings of history ( i.e history books)

the methods used to study history

Such as critical examinations of sources, selection of specifics from authentic sources, synthesis of information into a narrative that will stand the test of critical methods

How to read Maps and Graphs

What is the map showing?

Maps are representations of features on the earth’s surface that historians use to show the location of historical events, how geography influences history, and to illustrate human interaction

Political, physical, historical

Questions to ask yourself when reading a map

What is the point of this map? (title)

What lines are there and what do they mean? (rivers, boundaries, roads, routes, migration patterns etc..)

What symbols are there? ( towns, cities, resources etc)

What is labeled? ( Key places and dates)

What do the colors mean? ( different countries, physical features such as elevation, political powers, population density, language etc)

What does the key say? ( this can answer man your questions about colors, symbols, lines etc)

Are there any insets? ( small boxes in the corners that show a larger scale of an area that is typically to small to see or out of the scope of the map, but relevant to the purpose)

Some questions about historiography...

Is there only one account of history?

Can there be more than one truth?

What is a “fact”?

Does the author make a difference on historical writing?

What does “taking into account multiple perspectives” mean and is this important when studying history?

What ways can you organize events/history?

Reading Historical Sources

When reading historical sources, one needs to take into account the following...

1. Credibility - Being trusted or believed in

2. Primary vs. Secondary source

Primary source – 1st hand account that was written at the time period

Secondary source - 2nd hand account made using primary sources and at a later date then the event.

3. Bias - favoring or prejudices toward one side or another

4. Historical Perspective - see worksheet

How can we organize events/time?

What are the different ways we can organize history?

Does a thematic approach help us understand the

world?What are some benefits to a thematic approach?

Themes of Modern World History

Cultural Diffusion

Revolution

War and Peace

Balance of Power

Human Rights

Comparing Maps

What is missing in this map?