Readings in Philippine History – Core Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and institutions discussed in the Readings in Philippine History lecture notes.

Herodotus

Greek historian (5th c. BCE) regarded as the “Father of History.”

Historia

Latin word meaning “knowledge acquired through inquiry”; root of the term history.

History

Historians’ interpretation of the past, built on investigation of evidence.

Primary Source

Material created by a direct witness of an event (e.g., diaries, artifacts, photographs).

Secondary Source

Work that analyzes or interprets primary sources (e.g., scholarly books, journal articles).

Relic

Physical object of historical value produced without intent to convey information.

Document (historical)

Written or recorded report of past events meant to transmit information.

Historiography

Study of historians’ methods, sources, and interpretive practices in writing history.

Positivism

Historical school asserting that without documents there is no history; stresses empirical evidence.

Annales School

French historical movement that integrates geography and long-term social structures into analysis.

Marxist History

Approach focusing on class struggle and economic forces as drivers of change.

New Social History

“History from below” emphasizing everyday life and ordinary people.

Post-Colonialism (history)

Framework examining how colonized peoples resisted and re-interpreted colonial rule.

Cultural History

Field that uses anthropology and linguistics to explore past mentalities, symbols, and practices.

Intellectual History

Study of past ideas, philosophies, and their development.

Political History

Branch examining state power, leaders, policies, and major political events.

Social History

Field analyzing societal structures, norms, and daily life of communities.

Economic History

Study of production, trade, and material conditions over time.

World History

Macro-level study of global processes, interactions, and the rise of civilizations.

Transnational History

Investigation of phenomena that cross national borders and jurisdictions.

Local History

Research focused on events and experiences of a specific locality or community.

Total History

Comprehensive approach integrating all aspects of human life over long periods.

Big History

Interdisciplinary narrative connecting cosmic, earth, and human histories into a chain of events.

Pantayong Pananaw

Filipino historiographic perspective (“from us-for us”) championed by Zeus Salazar.

Social Memory

Popular collective remembrance that sustains group identity, often selective or distorted.

Historical Awareness

Critical skill of contextualizing and judging the past based on its own standards.

Propaganda

Information disseminated to persuade or manipulate public opinion, often biased.

Historical Revisionism

Re-interpretation of the past; can be legitimate (new evidence) or manipulative (distortion).

Objectivity (historical)

Ideal of treating evidence impartially, minimizing personal bias in interpretation.

External Criticism

Authentication test examining a source’s physical traits, provenance, and originality.

Internal Criticism

Evaluation of a source’s credibility, consistency, and meaning within its context.

National Library of the Philippines

Government repository of printed and recorded Filipino cultural and historical materials.

National Archives of the Philippines

Agency preserving official documents and records vital to Philippine history.

Oral History

Historical information obtained through interviews with eyewitnesses or participants.

Primary Source Repository

Institution (archive, library, museum) that preserves first-hand historical materials.