History

History is a Conversation

While doing historical research, it is beneficial to remember that historical scholarship is a conversation. No book or article or primary source is created in a vacuum, so it is important to consider:

• what is the context for the work?
• which voices/perspectives are represented in the work?
• are the claims in the work controversial?
• what contribution does the work make to the topic?
• what related works came before and after this work?

By considering these questions, you will place a source within a context to better understand the information and perspectives it contains. This is part of thinking historically. In addition, your work will create a new conversation--so think about which voices you will include, who gets to speak and how much.

Tips to Explore "The Conversation"

• For primary sources, establish context by considering who created it and when.  How might the author's identity affect their perspective and biases? How might the societal norms, culture, and events of the time affect the meaning of the work and how it was received by the intended audience?
• For secondary sources, consider using:
  • Book Reviews - academic journal book reviews provide a summary of the book, an evaluation of its claims, and helps to situate the book in the broader scholarly conversation.
  • Literature Reviews - these articles provide a summary and analysis of most of the important works on a particular topic. They are perfect for understanding the conversation.
  • Bibliographies - when you find a book or article on your topic, look at the bibliography and citations to find other works on the topic.  This will help you discover other voices and perspectives in the conversation.

Social Justice in Historical Research

The historical narrative is shaped by the evidence that survives from the time period, usually in the form of written text.  So, the evidence may be biased based on a number of factors, such as:

• who was literate and could write their perspectives?
  • For example, are we more likely to find source written by a Chinese general or a common soldier?
• who had access to publication?
  • For example, are we more likely to find a book published by an English aristocrat or a blacksmith from the village?
• who had the means to preserve their written documents?
  • For example, are we more likely to find an account from the Catholic Church or a group persecuted for heresy?

No matter the time period, remember that information, scholarship, and historical records are created within certain power structures.  This means that the historical record may be distorted, misrepresented, or suppressed by those with access to the power structures of the era.

Tips for Viewing History through a Social Justice Lens

Anytime you examine an historical source--whether a primary document or secondary source--critically analyze the source by:

• considering the power structures of the time; how was the source produced and used?
• evaluating the traditional sources and authorities of the time; what biases might they have?
• identifying the incomplete or alternate information; whose perspectives are missing?
• questioning the impact of certain power dynamics; how did these factors impact the historical record?

After analyzing these aspects, look for opportunities to enrich the historical narrative by including the perspectives and experiences of those missing from the story.  What sources or evidence might be used to accomplish this?