• CONTEXT ANALYSIS

Considers the time and place the historical document was written as well as the
situation or the circumstances during the time.

Works pertaining to events in the past are analyzed by also taking into account the
author of the document, biographical background, role in the event, and the intent for
writing the document.

• LEARNING HISTORY

• WHAT IS HISTORY?

The study of history is the study of the beliefs and desires practices, and institutions of
human beings.

History becomes an active factor in the study of Philippine society.

It includes a look into the development of the Philippine culture through time.

• WHY STUDY HISTORY?

Looking at the past teaches us to see the world through different eyes-appreciating the
diversity of human perceptions, beliefs, and cultures.

An examination of the past can tell us a great deal about how we came to be who we
are.

“Looking at the roots of modern institutions, ideas, values and problems.”

• THE MEANING OF HISTORY

Excerpts from Understanding history: a primer of historical method by Louis Gottschalk

(1950, New York: Knopf, p.17)

The English word history is derived from the Greek noun istoiα, meaning learning. As
used by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, history meant a systematic account of a set of
natural phenomena, whether or not chronological factoring was a factor in the
account…. In the course of time, however, the equivalent Latin word scientia (English,
science) came to be used more regularly to designate non-chronological systematic
accounts of natural phenomena;

And the word history was reserved usually for accounts of phenomena (especially
human affairs) in chronological order.
 By its common definition, the word history now means, “THE PAST OF MANKIND.”….

• UNDERSTANDING SOURCES

• PRIMARY SOURCES

Are materials produced by people or groups directly involved in the event or topic being
studies. These people are either participants or eyewitnesses to the event.

These sources range from eyewitness accounts, diaries, letters, legal documents, official
documents(government or private) and even photographs.

• 8 Examples of Primary source

1. Photographs that may reflect social conditions of historical realities and everyday life.

2. Old sketches and drawings

3. Old maps

4. Cartoons for political expression or propaganda

5. Material evidence of the prehistoric past (cave drawings, old syllabaries, and ancient
writings.

6. Statistical tables, graphs and charts

7. Oral history or recordings by electronic means of accounts of eyewitnesses or

participants.

8. Published and unpublished primary documents, eyewitness accounts, and other

written sources.

• SECONDARY SOURCES

Gottschalk defines secondary sources as “the testimony of anyone who is not an

eyewitness-that is of one who was not present at the event of which he tells”

These are books, articles, and scholarly journals that had INTERPRETED primary source
or had used them to discuss certain subjects of history.