LESSON1.2 Historical concepts and skills
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to: • identify the historical concepts and skills • explain why they are important.
1.2.1 Introduction Although the ancient civilisations disappeared a long time ago, much evidence of the ancient past has been left behind. Our modern society can trace aspects of its origins back to people or civilisations that existed thousands of years ago. We can thank the ancient Egyptians for some aspects of modern architecture and the art of writing; the ancient Greeks for developments in medicine, mathematics, science and philosophy; the ancient Romans for their influence on art and architecture and our modern political and legal system; and the ancient Chinese for many technologies, including the compass, paper and printing, and gunpowder. Our societies operate in many ways that are similar to those that existed thousands of years ago. We, as historians, can study similarities from the evidence that these societies left behind, examining such things as art and religion, currency, laws and regulations, trade routes, writing and language. 1.2.2 Historical concepts and skills Historians study past civilisations, cultures and societies to understand how people lived, their ideas, customs, rulers and livelihoods. They examine sources to explain how lives were shaped by others and events. This topic covers concepts and skills related to discovering ancient history in Australia and worldwide, exploring the development of early societies. You will become proficient in these concepts through future lessons.
TABLE1 The concepts and skills that you will use in History. Concepts and skills
Description
Asking historical questions
Shaping our understanding of the past by the questions we ask and the responses we receive.
Sequencing chronology
Arranging historical events in order of time.
Using historical sources as evidence
Investigating written and non-written materials (sources) that can give us information about the past; evidence is the information we get from sources that is useful to our investigations. Considering the parts of life or society that have stayed the same and those that have changed over a period of time. Looking at the relationship between historical events or actions; e.g. when one event or action happens because of the other. Considering the importance given to events of the past. Being able to express our interpretations of the past by constructing a historical argument using knowledge and evidence.
Identifying continuity and change
Analysing cause and consequence
Determining historical significance
Communicating
4 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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