INSTRUCTORS
Many colleges and universities prepare future social studies/history teachers to focus on the content of the past--who, what, when, and why. Very few teachers receive instruction as to how history is remembered, written about, and taught--that is, why and how historians select the sources they use, how they interpret their sources, and what influences their interpretations. Historians refer to this as:
Historiography—the way historians remember, write about, interpret, and teach specific historical eras and events. This interpretation may change with each generation, in line with the political and cultural concerns of that generation. Historiography is both the writing of history and the study of how history has been written.
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Many historians throughout history strove to interpret sources fairly by applying professional standards of accuracy, approaching and interpreting their sources with assumed objectivity or neutrality, and through peer review. But, historians are only human and sometimes forget that their perspectives can and are shaped by their experiences and social positions--or biases. Historians simply cannot see and know everything thus the importance of understanding historiography when teaching American history.
Examine the definition of historiography and view the accompanying videos. Think about how historians may remember, interpret, and write a history of an era or event from the past based on personal biases (not necessarily negatives but social biases such as upbringing, socioeconomics, friends, and politics). What evidence was available and what was their justification in deciding which evidence to give priority that may influence their interpretation of history? It is important to remind ourselves and our students that all of these factors shape what history is available to the education system which can influence outcomes for future generations.
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Watch each video about historiography and its importance to how we view history-(these will be the same clips students view).
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After watching the videos, think about who participates in writing history and what effect leaving out certain voices has on history. This lesson is designed to bring out the once silent voices in American history to show that history is not just names and dates but includes many societies converging to create one past but with many voices and truths. The lesson is about engaging students to think critically about the past.