Theories and Methods of History

Paper Code: 
25HIS 121
Credits: 
05
Contact Hours: 
5.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course offers students a comprehensive understanding of History by enabling them to contextualize its meaning, nature, and scope. Through detailed exploration, students will develop a nuanced grasp of historical facts and their interpretation, delving into concepts of causation, objectivity, and generalization within the discipline. Additionally, students will engage in critical analysis, comparing and contrasting the cyclical and linear theories of History, thereby gaining insight into the diverse perspectives that shape our understanding of the past.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

 Outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

25HIS 121

 

Theories and Methods of History

(Theory)

 

 

CO1-Evaluate the Meaning, Nature and scope of History.

CO2- Assess the historical Facts and its Interpretation in History

CO3- Critically analyse the Causation, Objectivity and Generalization in History.

CO4- Examine the various theories of History – Cyclical with special reference to Spengler and Toynbee.

CO5 - Delineate the various Linear Theories of History such as Christian, Marx, Hegel and Acton.

CO6 Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

 

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation

Class test, Semester End Examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Class Assignment, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

15.00
Unit I: 
Distinctiveness of historical inquiry

Meaning and relevance of History

Nature and scope of History: Ancillary and Auxiliary branches of history.

 

15.00
Unit II: 
Sources and interpretation

Historical Fact and Interpretation

Idea of Progress in History.

15.00
Unit III: 
Objectivity and History writing

Causation, Objectivity and Generalisation in History

 

15.00
Unit IV: 
Theories of History

Cyclical with special reference to Spengler and Toynbee

15.00
Unit V: 
Theories of History

Positivism and Idealism

Linear Theories of History – Christian, Marx, Hegel and Acton.

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Sreedharan. E, A Textbook of Historiography.
  • E.H. Carr: What is History, London, 1962,
  • G Collingwood: the idea of History, Oxford,1961

 

 

References: 
  • M.C.Lernon: Philosophy of History (A Guide for students)
  • V S Agrawala :Itihas Darshan (in Hindi), Varanasi
  • Buddha Prakash :Itihas Darshan (in Hindi), Lucknow, 1962
  • C Pande (ed.):Itihas-Swaroop evam siddhanth (in Hindi), Jaipur
  •  

E-Resources

Meaning and relevance of History

Idea of Progress in History

Causation

Objectivity and Generalisation in History

Spengler and Toynbee

 

Academic Year: 
2025-26
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