1. Historiography

2. What is Historiography?  The study of the way history has been, and is written.  The study of changing or competing interpretations of history.

3. Narrative History  Chronological  Tells a single, coherent story.  Tends to be descriptive over analytical.

4. Biography or “Great Man” History  Focusses on the impact of the individual on history.  Gives a narrow perspective of historical time period.  Overlooks broader social, economic or cultural themes to focus on the individual.  Nowadays it is not solely limited to Great Men.

5. “Whig” or Liberal History  Believes that history is a continual march of progress.  There is a progression towards liberty and enlighenment – individual freedom and democracy.  Emphasizes the achievements of society.

6. Marxism  Named after Karl Marx  Became popular in the 20 th century.  Study of society from below – the working class etc.  Economic and social determinism = Material determinism.  Has a strong political and economic focus.

7. Revisionist History  History based on the revision of re-interpretation of traditional or orthodox views of history.  Many see this as a normal part of the historical process.  It is often associated with history of people or groups left out of traditional histories.  For example: feminist history, minority history, American Indian History, etc.

8. What is History?  A book by British historian E.H. Carr.  Carr challenged our understanding of how the historical process works.  He argues that the historian chooses the facts, to make the story relevant.  They use the facts to seek generalisations that broaden our understanding of history.