Introduction to Historical Sources and Method

History is more than just memorizing names and dates; it is the process of critically interpreting the remnants of the past. This course provides a foundational understanding of how that interpretation happens. By the end of this course, you will understand the essential methodology historians use to reconstruct the past, enabling you to approach historical texts and artifacts with a critical and informed perspective. What you'll learn: * Learn the core scope and purpose of history as a scientific discipline. * Understand the professional workflow of a historian, from research question to final narrative. * Practice classifying and analyzing the three main types of historical sources: material, written, and oral records. * Master the foundational principles of source criticism, including identifying authorship, context, and potential bias. * Apply techniques to distinguish between primary and secondary sources and evaluate their reliability. The course begins by defining the field of history and the historian's role. We then move step-by-step through the process of identifying, categorizing, and critically evaluating various forms of historical evidence. This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior experience in historical study. All concepts are explained clearly through written examples and foundational definitions. Begin your journey into the methods of historical inquiry today.