History is far from a pointless, dusty pursuit of “what-really-happened-in-the-past.” It’s a tricky business—not unlike a police investigation into an automobile accident. Eyewitnesses all have different accounts of what happened, and it’s often difficult to determine what actually took place. It’s also a field that’s particularly susceptible to human foibles such as bias, egotism and pride, if not outright manipulation of truth, then at least subconscious obfuscation of the true story.
The discipline of history encompasses the full range of “knowables,” from solid facts to working hypotheses to general theories. But, unlike a science, where 2+2=4, it is not possible to know everything about the past; that’s why historians have such a wide range of opinions about their work.
Historians debate virtually every aspect of their field, from what should be studied to the precise cause and effect of events. In fact, many historians are akin to scientists, even adopting some of the same methodologies of research and testing hypotheses, which help create reliable scholarship.
Students can learn a lot about how to study history by looking at the methods used by their instructors, as well as historical thinkers and writers. Writers and philosophers such as Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson and Virginia Woolf all kept commonplace books, notebooks where they compiled thoughts, quotes, reflections and takeaways from their readings. For students, this is a useful place to write chapter summaries, questions about what you read, ideas for further research and anything else that you come across while studying history.
Another great way to study history is by watching movies about historical events. There are an abundance of films and documentaries available, most of which are very educational and entertaining. This is a fun and engaging way for students to study history, which helps to make the material more relatable to them and makes it feel less like a chore.
It is important to note that while movies can be a great way to study history, they should only be watched with the knowledge that not all historical information is presented accurately. This is something that students should discuss with their instructor before they watch any movie, whether it’s a dramatization of a historical event or a documentary.
One of the most effective ways to study history is to pair up students with experts. By interviewing people in the present day who study or live history, students can gain a better understanding of the process of learning about the past, which makes it feel more relevant and interesting to them. For example, if your class is studying the Vietnam War, have students interview veterans and historians who have spent their careers studying this particular period of time. This can help to make history seem more real and important for students, which in turn will increase their motivation to learn about it. This can be done in the classroom, through video interviews or online. It’s important to try a few different approaches to find the best way for your students to study history.