Historiography

The following three lectures were originally delivered by Russel Tarr to students at the International School of Toulouse.

1. What is History?

• A. Why is history so important to society?

• B. How is History produced?

• C. Is “Objective” History possible or even desirable?

• D. Questions and Tasks

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2. Causation in History: Chaos, Free Will and Determinism

• A. Starter Activity: Some Quotes to Think About

• B. Introduction: Why do we ask Why?

• C. The Case of Billy Elliot: The Challenge of Pinning Down Causes

• D. The Approach of Historians to the Issue of Causation

• E. The Approach of Philosophers to the Issue of Causation

• F. A Practical Approach to Causation - Introduction

• G. A Practical Approach to Causation - Categorising Factors

• H. A Practical Approach to Causation - Linking Factors

• I. Conclusion: Some Closing Thoughts

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3. The Purpose of History

• A. Introduction

• B. To Entertain?

• C. To Inform?

• D. To Persuade?

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Appendices

• Quotes about Historiography: Interactive Exercise

• Recommended Books from Amazon.co.uk

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