GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

Readings in Philippine History

Note to USeP Faculty:

This is a plain template allowing easy writing/preparation of course packs. For
this version, it is suggested to simply replace the text in the sections as indicated,
and copy-and-paste sections to duplicate them (e.g. to create a new lesson or
module). Use A4 paper size, with 1.5” left margin, and 1” on remaining sides. Use
Arial font at font size 12 and 1.5 spacing for paragraph lines.

Allan H. Navales

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

Welcome Message

It is with great privilege and pride to be of service to you dear students in

expanding your knowledge and honing your skills in this course GE 216, i.e.,
Readings in Philippine History. As a foundational course, it aims to provide you
with necessary principles, values and skills in order to embrace the love for truth,
freedom, justice, progress and harmony enshrined in our struggle for identity and
emancipation as a people, as a nation and as global citizens.
The renowned author and literary man Ralph Waldo Emerson once
observed about the lofty duty of a scholar. He said, “The office of the scholar is to
cheer, to raise, and to guide men by showing them facts amidst appearances. He
plies the slow, unhonoured, and unpaid task of observation. He is the world’s eye.”
A scholar searches for the truth and embraces its ethical implication for the good
of scholarship itself and its practical application to our temporal existence.
It is in this perspective that this module is situated. It is not also a
coincidence, I believe that you are now part of the USeP System as “Iskolar ng
Bayan” since we are a state university. What a way to start your academic life with
this course! It is knowing yourself more by way of understanding your identity and
own-most possibility as a Filipino in today’s world through the lens of “Readings in
Philippine History.”
The value of this course and hence the learning that will be gained in it will
depend on your prudent and sincere participation in the tasks assigned to you by
your professor. This learning module has been carefully prepared in order to
maximize student’s learning. Since it takes two to tango, this also comes with the
professor’s guarantee of the same prudence and sincerity in ensuring the
achievement of learning outcomes desired for students in this course.
As we welcome you in this adventure, we also wish you good luck in the
tasks ahead we have designed for you. Remember that, the role of the professor
is mainly to guide and direct student’s capacities to fruition. But, I am confident that
the University has pooled the best professors who will not only do the main task
but also do the other tasks of teaching with excellence, fairness and compassion.
Lastly, in our locale of learning whether virtual or real classrooms, it is
always the desire of every well-meaning professor that there is meeting of the
minds for mutual improvement. That the student after attentively and
conscientiously participating in the learning activities, he or she emerges better
than before. Only in this instance that the professor’s mission is successfully
delivered. For, there is no art and no science, no guidance and no direction, can
be effectively imparted without a philosophical spirit behind it—that empowering
spirit learned from understanding well our own history as a nation!

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

Faculty Information:

Allan H. Navales
Faculty
College of Arts and Sciences

Getting help

For academic concerns (College/Adviser - Contact details)

For administrative concerns (College Dean – Dr. Marnie Grace I. Sonico)
For UVE concerns (KMD - Contact details)
For health and wellness concerns (UAGC, HSD and OSAS - Contact details)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE

Cover page ………………………………… 1

Welcome Message ………………………………… 2

Table of Contents ………………………………… 3

USeP Vision, Mission and Goals ………………….. 4

USeP Graduate Attributes ………………………… 5

USeP Core Values ……………………………….... 5

Course Overview ………………………………… 6

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

Course Assessment ……………………………….. 7

Course Map ………………………………… 8

Module 1 Overview ………………………………… 9

The Lessons ………………………………… 10-13

Module 2 Overview ………………………………..

Lessons in Module 2……………………………….

Template for writing lessons …………………….. 14

Sample Lessons / modules ……………………... 15

Course Summary ……………………………… 34

References …………………………….. 35

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES

VISION

Premier Research University Transforming Communities in the ASEAN and

Beyond

MISSION

USeP shall contribute to inclusive growth and sustainable development through

continual innovation in proactive academic programs, impactful research for
utilization, economically empowering community services, and sustainable
resource management.

GOALS

Internationalized University programs and services

Innovation and RDE-nurturing environment
Proactive, globally competitive, and service-oriented graduates
Mobilized and optimized resources for sustainable development
Transformed vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and
communities

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

INSTITUTIONAL GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Creates and inspires positive changes in the organization; exercises

responsibility with integrity and accountability in the practice of one’s profession
or vocation.

CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL THINKING SKILLS

Demonstrates creativity, innovativeness, and intellectual curiosity in optimizing

available resources to develop new knowledge, methods, processes, systems,
and value-added technologies.

SERVICE ORIENTED

Demonstrates concern for others, practices professional ethics, honesty, and

exemplifies socio-cultural, environmental concern, and sustainability.

LIFELONG LEARNING

Demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for continuous personal and professional

development.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

Demonstrates proficiency and flexibility in the area of specialization and in

conveying information in accordance with global standards.

CORE VALUES OF THE UNIVERSITY

COLLABORATION
ACCOUNTABILITY
RESILIENCE
EXCELLENCE
SERVICE ORIENTED

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

THE COURSE OVERVIEW

COURSE TITLE : GE 216

CREDIT : 3 units
SEMESTER : 1st/2nd Semester
TIME FRAME :
COURSE DESCRIPTION : The course analyzes Philippine History from multiple
perspectives through the lens of selected primary sources coming from various
disciplines and of different genres. Students are given opportunities to analyse the
author’s background and main arguments, compare different points of view,
identify biases and examine the evidences presented in the document. The
discussions will tackle traditional topics in history and other interdisciplinary themes
that will deepen and broaden their understanding of Philippine political, economic,
cultural, social, scientific and religious history. Priority is given to primary materials
that could help students develop their analytical and communication skills. The end
goal is to develop historical and critical consciousness of the students, so that they
will become versatile, articulate, broadminded, morally upright and responsible
citizens. This course includes mandatory topics on the Philippine constitution,
agrarian reform, and taxation.

COURSE OUTCOMES : On the completion of the course, student is expected

to be able to do the following:
1. Analyze texts critically whether in written, visual, and oral forms;
2. Examine the contemporary world from both Philippine & global
perspectives;
3. Contribute personally and meaningfully to the country’s development;
4. Use current technology to assist and facilitate learning and research

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Learning Evidence and Measurement Rubrics

LE1: Assessment Rubric for Group Presentation

Criteria Outstanding Very Good Good Fair/Pass Failure
91-100 81-90 71-80 61-70 Below 60
Background of the • The • The • The • The
primary source presentation presentation presentation introduction
(20%) includes a includes a includes a is somewhat
clear, clear clear inadequate
interesting introduction introduction in
and effective that identifies that identifies communicati
introduction how the how the ng how the
that identifies material is material is material is
how the related to the related to the related to the
material is topic under topic under topic under
related to the discussion, discussion. discussion.
topic under as well as to • The • Information
discussion, previously- introduction provided
as well as to discussed provides a about the
previously- topics. sufficient background
discussed • The background of the
topics. introduction on the material is
• The provides the material incomplete
introduction important (who, what, or incorrect.
effectively background when, • The
provides all information where). introduction
important on the • The identifies
background material introduction some
information (who, what, discusses relevance of
on the when, the the material
material where). relevance of in
(who, what, • The the material understandin
when, introduction in g major
where) in an discusses understandin episodes/the
accurate and the g major mes in
detailed relevance of episodes/the Philippine
manner. the material mes in history, but
• The in Philippine the
introduction understandin history. discussion is
effectively g major largely
discusses episodes/the superficial or
the mes in incomplete.
relevance of Philippine
the material history, and
in also attempts
understandin to relate the
g major material to
episodes/the contemporar
mes in y
Philippine events/them
history, as es/issues.
well as in
developing a
historically-
grounded
understandin
g of
contemporar
y
events/them
es/issues.
Contextual • The • The • The • The • There is no
Analysis (30%) presentation presentation presentation discussion of discussion of
of the of the of the the historical the historical
author’s author’s author’s context and context of
background background background importance the
and context and context and context of the document.
is is clear and is clear and document is
exhaustive, accurate. accurate. too general

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

clear and • The students • The students and lacks

accurate. identify and identify the specific
• The students analyse the problems details.
identify and problems that the • The
analyse the that the document background
problems document wants to of the author
that the wants to address. was not
document address. • There is an clearly
wants to • The students attempt to explained.
address. explain the explain the
• The students importance importance
explain of the of the
clearly the document in document in
importance understandin understandin
of the g the issues g the issues
document in of the given of the given
understandin period. period.
g the issues
of the given
period.
• The
document is
correlated
with the
other
documents
dealing with
the same
period.
Content Analysis • The • The • The • Some of the • There is no
(30%) important important important important adequate
elements are elements are elements are elements of discussion of
correctly identified and identified and the the content
identified and analysed. explained. document of the
analysed. • There is a • There is a are identified document.
• There is a discussion of discussion of and
thorough the value the value explained.
discussion of and and • There is an
the value contributions contributions attempt to
and of the of the discuss the
contributions contents of contents of value and
of the the the contributions
contents of document in document in of the
the understandin understandin contents of
document in g the issues g the issues the
understandin prevalent prevalent document in
g the issues during the during the understandin
prevalent period. period. g the issues
during the • The contents • There is an prevalent
period. of the attempt to during the
• The contents document correlate the period.
of the are contents of
document correlated the
are with the document
correlated events that with the
with the happened events that
event that before it was happened
happened written. before it was
before it was written.
written.
• The students
are able to
identify the
inconsistenci
es and
shortcomings
of the
document.
Organization & • The • The • The • The • The
Presentation Style presentation presentation presentation presentation presentation
is very well- is very well- is adequately is loosely is done in a
structured, structured, structured. organized. It haphazard
providing a there is a Transitions is not evident manner,
logical logical between how one lacking a
sequence to sequence to topics help in topic is clear

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

the the understandin related to organization

discussion discussion. g the overall another in and
within the • Presenters discussion. the structure.
prescribed are • Presenters presentation. • Presenters
time period. confident, are • Presenters were unable
• Presenters sometimes somewhat lack to capture
are using confident, confidence, the attention
confident, gestures, using but there is of students.
effectively eye contact, occasional occasional • Audio-visual
using and tone of gestures, use of aids are not
gestures, voice that eye contact, gestures, used, or are
eye contact, keep the and tone of eye contact, not really
and tone of class voice to and tone of helpful in the
voice that engaged in engage the voice to try to presentation.
keep the the class in the capture the • Presenters
class discussion. discussion. attention of cannot
engaged in • Audio-visual • Audio-visual students. effectively
the aids are aids are • Audio-visual communicate
discussion. effective helpful in aids are information
• Audio-visual leading to an generating mostly and ideas,
aids are well- appropriate an helpful in the relying on a
executed, understandin understandin presentation. verbatim-
paying g of key g of key Visual aids reading of
careful information information either lack notes or text-
attention to and ideas. and ideas. important heavy visual
the • Presenters • Presenters information, aids to
combination are largely are or are too convey
on elements articulate. In articulate. In text-heavy. information
(e.g., text general, general, • Presenters and ideas.
and there is use there is use encounter The use of
graphics) of of some grammaticall
that lead to grammaticall grammaticall difficulties in y incorrect
both an y-correct y-correct communicati language is
effective language language. ng pervasive.
understandin that is also Occasional information
g of key respectful of grammatical and ideas.
information diversity, and lapses do not The use of
and ideas, sensitive to prevent grammaticall
and the understandin y incorrect
continuing conditions of g of language
interest in different information tends to be
the groups. and ideas pervasive.
discussion. that are
• Presenters conveyed.
are highly
articulate,
using precise
and
grammaticall
y-correct
language.
Language
used is also
respectful of
diversity, and
sensitive to
the
conditions of
different
groups.

LE2: Assessment Rubric for Research Output

Criteria Outstanding Very Good Good Fair/Pass Failure

91-100 81-90 71-80 61-70 Below 60
Use of • Uses a wide • Uses many • Uses several • Provides • No primary
variety of relevant and relevant some sources sources
Primary relevant, accurate sources to but evidence are used
Sources accurate and sources to provide presented are and
(30%) updated provide evidence in vague and not evidences
sources to evidence in support of key always presented
provide support of key arguments. relevant. are
evidence in arguments. irrelevant

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

support of key and

arguments. insufficient.
Effective • Supporting • Supporting • Evidences used • Evidences • Arguments
arguments arguments to support used to are not
and use specific, are relevant arguments are support supported
Appropriate relevant, and and mostly specific, arguments are by primary
Use of highly persuasive relevant and vague and and
persuasive evidence persuasive. unpersuasive. secondary
Sources evidence coming from • Uses • Quotations sources.
(30%) based on a both primary quotations and and • Paper was
critical and paraphrases paraphrasing directly
evaluation of secondary appropriately to are copied
primary and sources. make an inappropriately from
secondary • Uses argument. used to sources
sources. quotations • An explanation support without
• Uses the and is provided of arguments quoting,
most relevant paraphrases how the • The paraphrasi
quotations appropriately evidence explanation of ng, and
and and presented how the acknowled
paraphrases accurately to supports each evidence ging
appropriately make an argument. presented sources
and argument. • Evidence for supports each used.
accurately to • A clear and alternative argument is • Evidence
present new thoughtful arguments are not clear and supporting
perspectives explanation is presented and thorough. or
on an provided of considered. • Evidence opposing
argument. how the supporting or the
• Clearly, evidence opposing the arguments
thoughtfully, presented arguments are is missing.
and supports each poorly
thoroughly argument. integrated.
explains or • Evidence for
analyzes the alternative
relationship arguments
between the are presented
arguments and
and compared.
supporting
evidences.
• Evidence for
alternative
arguments
are presented
and critically
examined to
justify the
chosen
position.
Effective • A synthesis • A synthesis • A synthesis • A synthesis • No
effectively adequately identifies a identifies a synthesis
Synthesis examines examines common theme common or a
and how a how a and how it is theme and “synthesis”
Application common common reflected in how it is does not
theme has theme has different reflected in connect the
(20%) evolved in the evolved in the periods. different different
three periods three periods • The synthesis periods. periods.
covered. covered. identifies the • The synthesis
• The synthesis • The synthesis multiple facets identifies a
critically examines the of an important few facets of
examines the multiple problem in an important
multiple facets of an contemporary problem in
facets of an important times relevant contemporary
important problem in to the common times relevant
problem in contemporary theme. to the
contemporary times relevant • Offers solutions common
times relevant to the and alternatives theme.
to the common rooted in a • Offer some
common theme. historical solutions but
theme. • Offers understanding their basis on
• Offers plausible of the problem. historical
plausible solutions and understanding
solutions and alternatives of the problem
alternatives rooted in a is unclear.
rooted in an historical
appropriate understanding

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historical of the
understanding problem.
of the
problem.
Effective • Clear • Clear • Introduction is • Introduction • Thesis and
introduction, introduction; mostly clear and main introduction
Organization thesis is thesis is and thesis is thesis are are
(20%) presented in a presented in presented in a present but missing.
highly an engaging coherent, not clear. • No clear
engaging and manner. comprehensible • Arguments arguments
compelling • Each manner. presented do to support
manner. argument • Most not support the overall
• Each presented arguments the overall structure.
argument supports an presented structure. • Transitions
clearly overall clearly support • Transitions between
supports an structure. the overall between arguments
overall • Usually uses structure. arguments are are
structure. effective • Transitions are largely missing.
• Paper uses transitions to sometimes unclear. • Conclusion
consistent connect ideas abrupt, but the • Conclusion is is poorly
and effective and arguments and either vague connected
transitions to arguments conclusion or unclear. to the
develop ideas that leads to a mostly connect. paper’s
and persuasive • Conclusion major
arguments conclusion. represents arguments.
logically; has • Conclusion major
a compelling partly arguments and
and synthesizes, connects them
persuasive but it mostly to thesis.
conclusion. presents the
• Conclusion major
synthesizes arguments to
arguments support the
that support main
the main idea/thesis.
idea/thesis.

LE3: Assessment Rubric for Online Portfolio

Very Competent Fairly Not Yet
Sophisticated (A)
(B) Competent (C) Competent (D)
Output
misrepresents the
The output represents The output
authors’ ideas,
the authors’ ideas, represents the
The output evidence, and/or
Accuracy evidence, or authors’ ideas,
represents the conclusions.
conclusions accurately, evidence, and
author’s ideas, Major
fairly, and eloquently. conclusions
(Grasp of evidence, and inaccuracies. Or
Shows a firm accurately but not
readings) conclusions does not
understanding of the sufficiently clear.
accurately. distinguish
implications of each Minor
between major
author’s argument(s). inaccuracies.
ideas and less
relevant points.
Paper fully meets the Paper does not Paper does not
requirements of the Paper fully meets
address some address the
assignment. Explores the requirements
aspects of the assignment
the implications of but does not
assignment.
chosen ideas for the exceed them.
arts in classical Greece Selects minor
Argument Makes a rather than key
or today in thoughtful Makes a good case
and/or original ways. somewhat ideas,and/or does
for why selected
(depth of Makes a convincing unconvincing not show why the
key ideas connect
analysis) case for why selected case for why selected ideas
(or contradict) two
key ideas connect (or selected ideas connect (or
texts, and/or
contradict) two texts, connect contradict) texts,
connect
and/or connect (contradict) two and/or connect
(contradict) texts
(contradict) texts and texts, and/or (contradict) texts
and lectures.
lectures. connect and lectures.

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(contradict) texts
and lectures.
Imprecise or Consistently
Mostly precise and
Consistently precise ambiguous imprecise or
unambiguous
and unambiguous wording. ambiguous
wording, mostly
wording, clear and Confusing wording,
clear sentence
lucid sentence sentence confusing sentence
structure. Mostly
structure. All structure. Poorly structure.
Clarity effective choice of
quotations are well- chosen Quotations
quotation. Mostly
chosen, effectively quotations, or contradict or
effective framing
framed in the text, and ineffective confuse student’s
and explication of
explained where framing and text. Quotations
quotation where
necessary. explication of used to replace the
necessary.
quotations. student’s writing.
The output is
The output is not
The output is written in full
written in full
The output is written in written in full sentences. Some
sentences. Many
full sentences. sentences. improperly
improperly
Presentation Quotations are all Quotations are all attributed
attributed
properly attributed and properly attributed quotations and/or
quotations or
cited in a consistent and cited in a inconsistent
inconsistent style
style. Virtually no consistent style. A citation styles. A
of citation. Many
spelling or grammatical few minor spelling number of
spelling or
errors. or grammatical spelling or
grammatical
errors. grammatical
errors.
errors.

Grading System

The final grade in this course will be composed of the following items and their weights in
the following items and their weights in the final grade computation:

Assessment Grade Score (Score or Rubric Percentage of Final

Item Grade) Grade
AA1 Quizzes 10 %
AA2 Exams 30 %
LE1 Individual Analysis Paper 10 %
LE2 Group work 20 %
LE3 Reflection/Critique Paper 10 %
LE4 Local History Research 20 %
Total 100 %

Passing Grade: 3.0

Passing Grade Conditions: Submission of complete requirement

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 GE 216 – Readings in Philippine History

Course Map
GE 216 -- Readings in Philippine History

Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5

Introduction to Content and Spaces for Conflict Social, Political, Doing History: A Guide
History: Definition, Contextual Analysis and Controversies in Economic, and for Students
Issues, Sources, and of Selected Primary Philippine History Cultural Issues in
Methodology Sources in Philippine History
Philippine History

Lesson 1: A Brief Summary of the Lesson 1: Making Sense of the

Lesson 1: Doing Historical
Lesson 1: Definition First Voyage Around the World by Past Historical Interpretation
Magellan by Antonio Pigafetta Lesson 1: Evolution Research Online
Lesson 2: Multiperspectivity
and Subject Matter Lesson 2: The KKK and the “Kartilya Lesson 2: Doing Historical
Lesson 3: Case Study 1: Where of the of the
Lesson 2: Questions ng Katipunan”
Did the First Catholic Mass
Research in Libraries and
Lesson 3: Reading the Philippine Archives
and Issues in History Take Place in the Philippines?
“Proclamation of the Philippine Constitution Lesson 3: Doing Life
Lesson 3: History and Independence” Lesson 4: Case Study 2: What
Lesson 2: Policies Histories and Biographical
the Historian Lesson 4: A Glance at Selected Happened in the Cavite
Research
Philippine Political Caricature in Mutiny? on Agrarian Reform
Lesson 4: Historical Alfred McCoy’s Philippine Cartoons: Lesson 4: Doing Local and
Lesson 5: Case Study 3: Did Lesson 3: Evolution
Sources Political Caricature of the American Oral History
Era (1900-1941) Rizal Retract? of Philippine
Lesson 5: Philippine Lesson 6: Case Study 4: Where
Lesson 5: Interacting with
Lesson 5: Revisiting Corazon Taxation History through Historical
Historiography Aquino’s Speech Before the U.S. Did the Cry of Rebellion
Congress Shrines and Museums
Happen?

Outcome: Student who demonstrates the qualities and skills

of a historian that assesses narratives in Philippine History
using primary sources & robust methods of interpretation.

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Module 1

Introduction to History: Definition, Issues, Sources, and Methodology

Module Overview:

Welcome to Readings in Philippine History! As a required general education

course, you are to embark in an interesting journey or adventure if you will, in the
past of our race as Filipinos. To start with, we will employ the discipline of history
in understanding the valuable lessons of our past in order to make sense of today
and eventually design a better future for all of us. This learning module introduces
history as a discipline and as a narrative. As such, learners will be initiated to the
theoretical aspects and issues of the discipline. Ultimately, this module hopefully
tackles the task of the historian as the arbiter of facts and evidences in making
his/her interpretation and forming historical narrative.

Module Outcome:

In this module, the learners are expected to:

• Evaluate primary sources for their credibility, authenticity, and
provenance

Lesson 1: What is History?

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• Understand the meaning of history as an academic discipline and to
be familiar with its underlying philosophy and methodology, and
• Apply the knowledge in historical methods and philosophy in
assessing and analysing existing historical narratives.

Time Frame: 1 week

Introduction

Perhaps, you have heard of the word “history” many times already in the
past from significant persons like your parents, teachers or even friends. And, you
have also heard of Philippine History in particular and its corresponding bits of
information of persons, places and events. But what is history really? How is this
study of history in the university level different from those you learned in your
previous grade level?

• Activity (Let’s Get Started!)

Activating prior knowledge

1. My take on history!
a. Think of any notion of history that you know. List as many
as you can on a sheet of paper—this can be ¼ or ½
crosswise.

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2. The Money Challenge!

1. Below is the collection of different bills and coins.

3. Signing of the first Magna Carta!

a. Portrait of King John of England signing the Magna Carta
which granted concessions to the barons in 1215.

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b. A piece of the original Magna Carta bearing the signature

of King John of England

• Analysis (Let’s Think About it!)

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1. My understanding of history! Group your ideas of history in bullet

statements, one column for significant and another for less
significant.
a. From these information, which is the most significant one
for you?
b. Why do you think so?

2. You are given time to think and present your answer in a

coherent and concise manner. Write your answer to the above
questions in a narrative form on a clean sheet of paper, i.e. one
whole sheet of yellow paper or electronic short bond paper. With
your name, course and year level, you may send it to me either
by snail mail or via e-mail.

Note well: (Don’t forget to write your name, course and year and
the date you accomplish the assigned task.)

3. The Money Challenge! Refer to the collection of different bills

and coins above. Look at them and observe closely.
a. Can you identify the person on them?
b. Why do you think they are in those coins and not in the
paper bills?
c. Why are they in smaller/lesser denomination and not in
bigger/higher one?
d. What have they contributed to the country so as to merit
being placed on that currency?
e. Do their contributions affect me or my family in any way
today? Explain your answer in a concise and coherent
manner.
f. Write your answer on a one (1) whole sheet of paper and
send via drop box or electronic short bond paper and send
via e-mail.

Note well: (Don’t forget to write your name, course and year and
the date you accomplish the assigned task.)

4. The signing of the first Magna Carta!

a. Why was the king being surrounded by the barons as he
signed the Magna Carta?
b. What is being depicted by this historic signing of the
Magna Carta in 1215?
c. What is the significance of the signing of this Magna
Carta to you and me?

Note well: (Don’t forget to write your name, course and year
and the date you accomplish the assigned task.)

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• Abstraction (Let’s Explore!)

Definition and Subject Matter

History has been defined as the study of the past. The Greek historia
means the knowledge acquired through investigation. As a discipline, it has
been around for about 2,400 years as old as mathematics and philosophy.
Later via classical Latin, it became known as “the account of the past of a
person or group of people through written documents and historical
evidences.” This definition eventually stuck until the early parts of 20th
century.
To date, we need to reintroduce history as a discipline and as a
narrative. This is in order to breathe in new perspectives based on several
issues in history that consequently opens up for the theoretical aspects of
the discipline. Now we need to ascertain historical truth by considering
sources in relation to the historical subject matter and the historical
methodology employed by the historian in presenting his/her claim. The task
of the historian, as arbiter of facts and evidences in making his/her
interpretation and forming historical narrative, has become more
pronounced than ever. That, more than any other task it ought to be
considered as a calling to be as faithful and strive to be as close as possible
to the truth. For, correct and truthful historical interpretation matters!
As history solidified into an important academic discipline, the
historian’s duty shifted to writing about the lives of important individuals like
monarchs, heroes, saints, and nobilities. History turned its focus too on
writing about wars, revolutions, and other important breakthroughs. Thus,
the question arose: What counts as history? The traditional historians lived
by the rule of “no document, no history.” It means that unless a written
document can prove a certain historical event, then it cannot be considered
as a historical fact.
But history progressed and eventually opened up to the possibility of
valid historical sources, which were not limited to written documents, say,
government records, chroniclers’ accounts, or personal letters. These
sources can also provide certain validity to a historical subject. If given
considerable attention or maybe juxtaposed with it, a new perspective may
emerge giving credence to the unattended aspect of the historical
investigation. It has been an accepted fact that giving premium to written
documents essentially invalidates the history of other civilizations that do
not keep written records. Some were keener in practicing oral traditions—
that is passing their history by word of mouth. Others got their historical
documents burned or destroyed in the events of war or colonization.
These actions discriminate against those other social classes which
were not recorded in paper. Nobilities, monarchs, the elite, and even the
middle class would have their birth, education, marriage, and death as

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matters of government and historical record. But what of peasant families

or indigenous groups who were not given much thought about being
registered to government records? Does this mean that they were people of
no history or past? Did they even exist? Haven’t they contributed something
to the historical unfolding of a community, nation or the world?
Considering this loophole, historians tried to address it by using other
kinds of historical sources, which may not be written form but were just as
valid. Some of these examples are oral traditions in forms of epics and
songs, artifacts, architecture, and memory. History thus becomes inclusive
and started reaching out with other disciplines as its auxiliary disciplines.
For example, employing the lens of archaeologists, historians can use
artifacts from a bygone era to study ancient civilizations that were formerly
ignored in history because of lack of documents. Linguists can shed light in
tracing historical evolutions, past connections among different groups, and
flow of cultural influence by studying language and the changes that it has
undergone. Even scientists like biologists and biochemists can help with the
study of the past through analyzing genetic and DNA patterns of human
societies.
Questions and Issues in History
With this unstoppable and valuable development, history eventually
evolved into a complex and dynamic inquiry. This new way of thinking
engendered various perspectives on the discipline anent various
clarificatory questions such as:
1) What is history?
2) Why study history?
3) And history for whom?
And these questions can be appropriately answered by
historiography. Historiography simply means the history of history. In order
to differentiate it effectively, let us approach it by way of their respective
objects of study. The former’s object of study is the past, the events that
happened in the past, and the causes of such events. While the latter’s
object of study, is the history itself. In this regard, a host of questions may
be generated such as:
1) How was a certain historical text written?
2) Who wrote it?
3) What was the context of its publication?
4) What particular historical method was employed?
5) What were the sources used?

By posting these interrogatives, historiography draws out further

pertinent information that will provide better understanding of history. In this
way, students do not only get to learn historical facts, but they are also
accorded with the understanding of the facts’ and the historian’s contexts.
The methods employed by the historian and the theory and perspective,

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which guided him, will also be analyzed. So, by way of historiography,

students are taught to be critical in the lessons of history as presented to
them.

The social function of history cannot be underestimated. States used

it to unite a nation. It can also be used as a tool to legitimize regimes and
forge a sense of collective memory. One of the great American historians of
late memory by the name of George Santayana once said, ““Those who
cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

It becomes an instant truism that societies eventually succumb to its

innate anomalies and would soon realize that they’ve failed to change their
course due to some form of ignorance in reading the signs of their times.
Lessons from the past can be used to make sense of the present. Learning
of past mistakes can help people to not repeat them. Hence, being reminded
of a great past can inspire people to keep their good practices to move
forward.
Historical research requires rigor. However, can historian ascertain
objectivity? Is there such a thing as absolute objectivity? How to achieve
such level of objectivity? Despite the fact that historians cannot ascertain
absolute objectivity, the study of history remains scientific because of the
rigor of research and methodology that historians employ. Historical
methodology comprises certain techniques and rules that historians follow
in order to properly utilize sources and historical evidences in writing history.

Certain rules apply in cases of conflicting accounts in different sources,

and on how to properly treat eyewitness accounts and oral sources as valid
historical evidence. In doing so, historical claims done by historians and the
arguments that they forward in their historical writings, while may be
influenced by the historian’s inclinations, can still be validated by using
reliable evidences and employing correct and meticulous historical
methodology.

For example, if a historian chooses to use an oral account as his data in

studying the ethnic history of the Manobo tribe in Davao Region during the
American occupation, he needs to validate the claims of his informant
through comparing and corroborating it with written sources. Therefore,
while bias is inevitable, the historian can balance this out by relying on
evidences that back up his claim. In this sense, the historian need not let
his bias blind his judgment and such bias is only acceptable if he maintains
his rigor as a researcher.
At this point, let me invite you to watch this video clip on YouTube
entitled: What’s the Difference Between History and the Past?

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Lesson insights
1. History is the study of human activities in the past. This definition
makes history a unique discipline.
2. The meaning and characteristics of history changed from the ancient
period to the present. These changes were dependent on the
purposes that history served.
3. History is a scientific discipline that relies on different sources.
4. Several issues revolve around the meaning and function of history
as a discipline. These issues relate to different aspects of the
discipline, such as meaning, method, and use.

• Application (Let’s Do It!)

1. Online Portfolio Writing Prompt. In 200 words or more, write

an essay that reflects on the theme “The use and importance of
History to my life.”
2. Primary and Secondary Sources. Each student shall provide
an example of one primary and one secondary source. Provide
a 200-word description for each source.

• Closure
Good job! Now that you identify salient points in studying history as a
narrative and the science needed to articulate the truthfulness of a particular
historical subject, perhaps you are now ready to embark on another level of
appreciation as we revisit select historical evidences and sources. Be
amazed at the unique role of the historian as he/she interprets these
evidences and sources.

References:

Candelaria, J.L. Alphorha, V.C. & Kunting, A.F. (2021). A Course Module for
Readings in Philippine History. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.

Candelaria, JL P. & Alphorha, V.C. Readings in Philippine History. (2018). First

Edition. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.

[Link]
nce+Between+History+and+the+Past%3F, date accessed September 25, 2020.

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