Historiography

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

You may also wish to download the Essential Historiographical Terms handout.

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

Printable Version

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

Printable Version

3. The Purpose of History

• A. Introduction

• B. To Entertain?

• C. To Inform?

• D. To Persuade?

Printable Version

Appendices

• Quotes about Historiography: Interactive Exercise

• Recommended Books from Amazon.co.uk

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