Critically evaluate the skills you have begun to acquire as a historian. Why and in what ways are they important? What other skills should a historian acquire and why?

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Christian Oghomi

Student No: 1020702

4SH001: The Pursuit of History

Critically evaluate the skills you have begun to acquire as a historian. Why and in what ways are they important? What other skills should a historian acquire and why?

History as one might have guessed is the study of the past and it’s many significant events. Prior to arriving at University, I had adopted the very narrow minded belief that to study History all one had to do was remember dates. Now having attended several weeks of lectures and seminars, I understand that my belief couldn’t have been any more incorrect. I can now whole-heartedly lay claim to the fact that there is more to being an historian than what meets the eye. The study of History is not simply remembering facts such as what year Nazi Germany invaded Poland, or when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. No there are key skills a Historian must posses if they are going dissect the past accurately. In this essay I intend to evaluate some of the skills I have begun to acquire and state why I believe they are important for a historian to have.

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When studying History the foundation of the course is based on the knowledge of dates, names, facts, places, events and ideas. However I have come to realise that there must be more arsenal in the weaponry of a true historian. The ability to assess all types of historical evidence is a skill I believe is compulsory. As the semester has progressed it is a skill I believe I am seemingly beginning to grasp. Within this subject field there are all types of evidence being used whether that be in the form of diaries, transcripts, public statements, private records, numerical ...

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