Week |
Outline |
Resources |
1
Intro
&
Herodotus
21st October
|
This week we are going to look at a general introduction to historiography and our first historian, Herodotus. Each week you need to read the relevant chapters from Webb and Warren.
Have a look at these quotes about ‘what is history’ . What do you notice about them? now go to the google group and tell us!
Herodotus.
Now go and look over the wikipedia entry on Herodotus and read the introduction to his Histories courteousy of google books.
Now consider the main points from the syllabus;
• Who are the historians?
• What are the aims and purposes of history?
• How has history been constructed and recorded over time?
The author analysis framework is an outline of how you can analyse the authors you study. This is however only 1 approach so if you have a better one please share it. What you do need to do though is each time you read an author fill out one of these and then file it in a place you can easily retrieve. This is important as it is the basis of the first part of the course. |
|
Course intro slides
Introductory Podcast
Herodotus Podcast
An author analysis framework
Historiography slides
Herodotus slides
|
2
Thucydides
&
Polybius
28th
October |
This week we are are going to go over Herodotus and Thucydides, with a little Polybius on the side. You should have read the section on Herodotus and Thucydides in the Webb and Warren books. Also just skim over Polybius.
When you have done this I want you to head over to the group and answer these two questions (at least)
1. What is Thucydides approach to history? and,
2. How does this approach differ to Herodotus'?
If you want to have a look at Thucydides work then project Gutenberg (preserving old tests online) has a copy here, what would Thucydides think of this I wonder...? For reference Polybius' Histories is here
Finally another task. If you follow this link to google documents you will fnd a grid which compares Herodotus & Thucydides. I have filled in a few box's but I would like you all to work on completing the document. The idea of Google Doc's is that we can all work collaboratively on this and come up with a better outcome - after all 10 brains are better than 1. Your google group login should get you into it but I have sent you all a link as collaborators just in case (i've used the email you linked to the group) |
Thucydides Slides
Polybius slides
Thucydides & Polybius podcast |
3
Bede
&
an Essay
4th
November |
This week I would like you to scan the 'other ancient historians' in Warren and Webb. Primarily however I want you to read about 'Bede' in each. There are a few websites however this is probably the most straight forward.
The content for this week won't be huge as Bede is relativity straight forward and you should be able to discern his approach as being different to the two previously studied. if you want to read wider though I'd recommend anything that looks at the spread of Christianity throughout Europe and the conversion of Rome.
In class we will look at Bede, and then talk about the project a bit more. You will also have to get going on your first class essay. These will be regular parts of the course as writing skills are an essential component of how you are assessed - in the project and the HSC. The question will be;
'Discuss how the different approaches of Herodotus and Thucydides contribute to an understanding of what history is'
To do this you will need to use the grid from last week which is up on google documents. We will undertake this essay in two stages.
1. Firstly you will each have a go, then you will email your initial response to me by next Sunday (9th). Or you can put it there yourself. You need not use your name if you don't want, but be sure to put yours below the previous persons. This way we can all see the drafts. Then we will go to 2 below.
2. I will then put them all into 1 document and post it on google documents, where everyone will work collaboratively to create 1 brilliant essay from everyone's drafts. This will be due by the following Sunday (16th). |
Bede slides
Bede podcast |
4
Gibbon
&
The Enlightenment
11th
November |
This week we are looking at Gibbon and the Enlightenment. I need you to read the relevant chapters in Webb & Warren, and then head over to the google group. Wikipedia has a couple of good pages on Gibbon, his important work, the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and the Enlightenment. |
Gibbin sldes
Gibbon podcast |
5
Macaulay
&
Whig
18th
November |
By now I assume you know the drill with what to read! You should also be going over to the google group to discuss the topic - remember it is an extension of your classroom, and working together is what builds knowledge and success! Also, the shared document for the essay should be nearing completion. I can see from my page that not everyone has worked on it. That will certainly not help you understand and prepare for writing essays!
Moving to Macaulay. I found this to be a simpler and probably more accurate page to look over. Similarly a little about the Whig view can be found here. |
Macaulay slides
Macaulay Podcast |
6
Von Ranke
12 Feb 2009 |
This week we looked at Von Ranke (chapter 8 in Webb, and 57-75 in
Warren) - arising from it are two simple questions 'how did he
influence historical practice' and 'what has been his legacy'?
This wikipedia page is good for a quick overview of Van Ranke with some good links, however I would recommend that you look over his 'critique of modern historical writing' from
History of the Latin and Teutonic Peoples from 1494 to 1514.
Secondy, and importantly you need to begin work on the Author and Approach Grid. This will become your main summary of what we have studies. Know this and you are set for the exam! |
Von Ranke slides
Von Ranke Podcast
Author & Approach Grid |
7
Hill & Marxists
18 Feb 2009 |
...and for the coming week we will look at Christopher Hill and the
Marxists (Chapter 9 in Webb and 80-95 in Warren), with the question
'how did they fundamentally change the nature of history'?
read Hill's english revolution of 1640
Marx on History and the communist manifesto |
Hill Marxist slides
Hill Marxist Podcast |
8
Annales
25 Feb 2009 |
Read the relevant pages in Webb and Warren
for interest 'Hegel's Philosophy of History'
Complete question 1 from the 2008 HSC paper (due on the 5th)
Bloch's The Historians Craft
Braudel's the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World |
Annales slides
Annales Podcast |
9
Elton, Carr & Berlin
5 Mar 2009 |
Read the relevant pages in Webb and Warren
E. H. Carr's 'What is History' is available as a $9.95 classic Penguin at your local bookshop, the ABC recently reviewed it here.
The Wikipedia page on Elton, Carr and Berlin are not too bad.
Read Elton's the Practice of History & reflections on the present state of historical study.
|
the slides
the podcast
ABC E. H. carr review |
Extension History