Course: Theory of Historical Sources

« Back
Course title Theory of Historical Sources
Course code KHI/YANP
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Slavíková Věra, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Seminar topics: 1. Terms of source, general classification of primary sources. 2. Official sources, their classification, examples. 3. Ego-documents (diaries, correspondence, memoires). 4. Period journalism as primary source (newspapers, pamphlets, cantastoria). 5. Printed sources - statistics, schematisms, official calendars, address books, activities reports. 6. Written sources of oral tradition and oral literature. 7. Material and visual sources (including photographs and movies), dictionaries, encyclopedias, interpretation. 8. Searching for primary source material, methods of work with it. 9. Internal and external critic of historical sources. Interpretation. 10. Published sources, editions, oldest editions for Czech history; editions of medieval sources. 11. Editions for Early Modern Period and the Enlightenment, other edition according to the kind of primary sources. 12. Internet resources for primary sources and editions. 13. Excursion around Olomouc.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Demonstration
  • Homework for Teaching - 10 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
  • Excursion - 10 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 5 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Aim of the course is to introduce primary source, associated general terms, classification of historical sources from various aspects. Emphasis will be on critics of primary sources and their interpretation. Attention will also be on publishing of historical sources and main critical editions. Although the main part of the seminar will focus on written sources (official, private or journalism), students will also get to know visual and material sources.
Student knows general terminology and editions of primary sources, has knowledge about different kinds of sources and their use for further work. Student is apply to use theoretical knowledge on practical example of a search on information sources for specific topic. Student knows about non-written primary sources and can apply this knowledge when describing a specific historical monument.
Prerequisites
General knowledge of terms and overview from course Introduction into study of Auxiliary Historical Disciplines and archive studies.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Written exam

Active participation. Small presentations (about editions, primary sources registers and literature about chosen topic). Active participation in excursion around historical Olomouc (presentation about monument). Written test.
Recommended literature
  • (2014). Úvod do studia dějepisu I. a II.. Brno.
  • BARTOŠ, Josef:. (1992). Úvod do nauky o historických pramenech. Olomouc.
  • HEROUT, Jaroslav. Slabikář návštěvníka památek. Praha.
  • HROCH, Miroslav a kol. (1985). Úvod do studia dějepisu. Praha.
  • KRMÍČKOVÁ, Helena. (2014). Edice středověkého diplomatického materiálu.. Brno.
  • PETRÁŇ, Josef a kol. (1983). Úvod do studia dějepisu III. Nauka o historických pramenech.. Praha.
  • STORCHOVÁ, Lucie a kol. (2014). Koncepty a dějiny: Proměny v současné historické vědě.. Praha.
  • ŠŤOVÍČEK Ivan a kol. (2002). Zásady vydávání novověkých historických pramenů z období od počátku 16. století do současnosti. Praha.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Archive Studies (2019) Category: History courses 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Archive Studies (2019) Category: History courses 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Archive Studies (2019) Category: History courses 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Summer