Key Topics

Understanding Historical Subjects

• Fundamental concepts integral to historical studies

Source Criticism

• Process of evaluating an information source
• Asking questions about given sources
• The nature of source or document and the intended tone

Topic Summary

Understanding Historical Subjects

Basic skills required for understanding and investigating historical subjects were introduced. Recognizing the unfamiliarity many of us have with the tools employed by professional historians, our session centered on introducing fundamental concepts integral to historical studies, including:

• Primary sources: Authentic, firsthand materials
• Secondary sources: Analyses and interpretations
• Recognizing biases: Critical ability to discern biases within historical narratives.

Source Criticism

Source criticism skills are basic skills required for understanding and investigating historical subjects. Critical ability to discern biases within historical narratives is crucial in historical studies, as it allows us to grasp the credibility, purpose and the origin of the historical material before utilizing them. The lecture included the following information:

• Process of evaluating an information source