Firstly, I want to begin this post by saying I apologize for having abandoned this blog for a couple weeks. I haven't felt very inspired to write but I seem to have a couple of ideas that have struck me recently.
I want to discuss today the history behind the idea of Friday the 13th.
In 2009- Friday the 13th has occurred three times: February, March, and November.
The phobia started in 1911, became mainstream in 1953. Phobia of three's.
According to folklorists, there is no written evidence of the superstition prior to the 19th century.
For example, look at the concept of numerology- the number "12" is the number of completeness- 12 months, 12 signs of zodiac, 12 hours of the clock, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles of Jesus, 12 gods of Olympus among others. Whereas, in contrast, 13 is irregular and transgressing this completeness.
Friday's have been seen as unlucky since the 14th century Cantebury Tales.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Why are people especially children scared by the idea of studying history?
We hear it all the time....."I don't want to take a history class" or "History scares me".
I even had the same mind set as a child. I avoided history until university when it was a recommended course for my bachelor's degree. I ended up taking the course, loved it and in the process found my real passion. This teacher was able to bring history alive and made it interesting. I can't imagine not studying history and not loving history now, but what would of happenned if I had never taken that first class.
So why are people especially students or kids scared of history?
- some fear all the names and dates
- some fear having to memorize it all
- tedious
- boring
- stupid
- worthless
- when will I ever use it?
- watered down
- too general
So instead, we must bring history alive. It goes beyond a textbook, you must live history.
I even had the same mind set as a child. I avoided history until university when it was a recommended course for my bachelor's degree. I ended up taking the course, loved it and in the process found my real passion. This teacher was able to bring history alive and made it interesting. I can't imagine not studying history and not loving history now, but what would of happenned if I had never taken that first class.
So why are people especially students or kids scared of history?
- some fear all the names and dates
- some fear having to memorize it all
- tedious
- boring
- stupid
- worthless
- when will I ever use it?
- watered down
- too general
So instead, we must bring history alive. It goes beyond a textbook, you must live history.
- Original sources- primary and secondary sources
- Pictures, maps, and many other visuals
- Become immersed in a subject- live and breathe it
- Find a topic that interests them
- Look at themes and topics not just general history
- For example, wouldn't you rather look at religion in history in Canada vs. just Canadian history
How current is current? When is an event considered history?
If you were to look at a current event, how current is current? When does it move from current in to the realm of history?
Let's define the idea of current: current means occurring in or belonging to the present time.
History is defined as a description of past events.
These two seemingly different terms "current" and "history" really are not as far apart as many of us would like to think. These two terms run parallel to each other. Yesterday's current event is now today's history.
For example, an article written about a event (we could take any event- For example, the recent awarding of the Noble Peace Prize to President of the United States, Obama) can now be seen as historical or history because it happened last week. Its no longer current, although it can be seen as recent.
Let's define the idea of current: current means occurring in or belonging to the present time.
History is defined as a description of past events.
These two seemingly different terms "current" and "history" really are not as far apart as many of us would like to think. These two terms run parallel to each other. Yesterday's current event is now today's history.
For example, an article written about a event (we could take any event- For example, the recent awarding of the Noble Peace Prize to President of the United States, Obama) can now be seen as historical or history because it happened last week. Its no longer current, although it can be seen as recent.
When looking at event, what can we consider?
First, lets ask the right questions:
- who was involved (directly/indirectly)
- what happened?
- when did it happen?
- where did it happen?
- why did it happen?
- how did it happen?
The last two are most often the most difficult to answer. We must try to get ourselves into the event or into the person's mindset (so to speak).
How do we think about...... about a more current event ---- If someone looks on this event in 50 or even 100 years, how would they see it?
Sometimes we must try to seperate emotion from recent events and look events more objectively.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
How we study and look at history?
The idea of history is all about the lense or point of view you look at an event.
For example, if you look at the history of unions (look at it from the point of view of the worker vs. the union vs. the boss and then its effect on other unions and groups of workers).
History is all about context.
Its all about smaller events and where they fit on a timeline.
We must also look at the bigger picture (for example, the role of religion over time in a given location, the political situation over time)
Consequences of a given event - what happenned later/after?
Cause and effect
Similarities and differences to over events?
Parallels to other events
Compare and contrast
Events do not take place in a vacuum (by themselves/isolated)
Every event influences other events
For example, if you look at the history of unions (look at it from the point of view of the worker vs. the union vs. the boss and then its effect on other unions and groups of workers).
History is all about context.
Its all about smaller events and where they fit on a timeline.
We must also look at the bigger picture (for example, the role of religion over time in a given location, the political situation over time)
Consequences of a given event - what happenned later/after?
Cause and effect
Similarities and differences to over events?
Parallels to other events
Compare and contrast
Events do not take place in a vacuum (by themselves/isolated)
Every event influences other events
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What is history?
How can we define these terms to help make history more approachable and understandable.
History: a record or narrative description of past events, the discipline that records and interprets past events involving human beings, the continuum of events occurring in succession leading from the past to the present and even into the future, all that is remembered of the past as preserved in writing. (from the dictionary)
But lets be serious and consider it again.....what is history?
Is it just the past? A series of the past, present, and future? Each of the prior items mentioned.
What can we learn from the past?
Its not just about the past....but also what is written and studied about the past.
I mean if it is the past, how can we remember it. Yes, there is people who were alive and remember 50 years ago but not 500 years ago. We need some sort of records of information (sources which can vary).
History: a record or narrative description of past events, the discipline that records and interprets past events involving human beings, the continuum of events occurring in succession leading from the past to the present and even into the future, all that is remembered of the past as preserved in writing. (from the dictionary)
But lets be serious and consider it again.....what is history?
Is it just the past? A series of the past, present, and future? Each of the prior items mentioned.
What can we learn from the past?
Its not just about the past....but also what is written and studied about the past.
I mean if it is the past, how can we remember it. Yes, there is people who were alive and remember 50 years ago but not 500 years ago. We need some sort of records of information (sources which can vary).
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A few quotations to start
History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are. David C. McCullough
No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read.
David McCullough
We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.
George Bernard Shaw
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
George Santayana
What we do about history matters. The often repeated saying that those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them has a lot of truth in it. But what are 'the lessons of history'? The very attempt at definition furnishes ground for new conflicts. History is not a recipe book; past events are never replicated in the present in quite the same way. Historical events are infinitely variable and their interpretations are a constantly shifting process. There are no certainties to be found in the past.
Gerda Lerner
We can learn from history how past generations thought and acted, how they responded to the demands of their time and how they solved their problems. We can learn by analogy, not by example, for our circumstances will always be different than theirs were. The main thing history can teach us is that human actions have consequences and that certain choices, once made, cannot be undone. They foreclose the possibility of making other choices and thus they determine future events.
Gerda Lerner
No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read.
David McCullough
We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.
George Bernard Shaw
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
George Santayana
What we do about history matters. The often repeated saying that those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them has a lot of truth in it. But what are 'the lessons of history'? The very attempt at definition furnishes ground for new conflicts. History is not a recipe book; past events are never replicated in the present in quite the same way. Historical events are infinitely variable and their interpretations are a constantly shifting process. There are no certainties to be found in the past.
Gerda Lerner
We can learn from history how past generations thought and acted, how they responded to the demands of their time and how they solved their problems. We can learn by analogy, not by example, for our circumstances will always be different than theirs were. The main thing history can teach us is that human actions have consequences and that certain choices, once made, cannot be undone. They foreclose the possibility of making other choices and thus they determine future events.
Gerda Lerner
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