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 data, statistical data the list is endless. Since starting my course, and gaining the required hands on experience of using the various types of historical evidence the university library has to offer I feel it has made me a more well rounded historian. It is an extremely important skill to possess, as historians constantly have to give opinions whether that is verbally or via essays and knowing how to combine these different types of historical evidence and use them to back up your opinion will enable the historian to make coherent arguments based on the variety of data. This skill can also be applied to information encountered in everyday life, as shown at the Wolverhampton archives, which really rained in the importance of historical evidence and how pivotal the storage process is.
I feel studying History has definitely enhanced my ability to critically think. This is because with this subject you have the evidence right in front of you, and from here you can draw on your conclusions as to why and what happened in past. It is a very important skill, as historians must recognize that not all statements are of equal validity and that there are ways of putting them to test. Being that Historians operate by rules of evidence it is pivotal to differentiate through these.
Another skill I have developed is debating and arguing, although we have yet to have any organised debates in class. Studying History requires that in written and oral form, arguments should have structure and be relevant and concise. It is an extremely important skill as a historian to posses as certain essay titles require you to argue a certain point or side.
I believe I have begun to mature educationally and gain intellectual independence. This course incorporates alot of general research skills, setting up tasks, solving problems and creating bibliographies. These tasks are mainly done by one’s self hence the development in independence, they have helped me adapt to the requirements of university degree.
An essential skill I believe all historians must have is the ability to assess the conflicting interpretations within historical data. I have yet to fully grasp as it very demanding. It is extremely important as studying History requires sorting through diverse and often conflicting interpretations, and this is extremely difficult as historical study is inherently imprecise. Learning how to identify and evaluate these conflicting interpretation places historians in better stead, as it provides the opportunities to engage in debates and achieve perspective.
Having the skill to assess the past examples of changes is very fundamental. By comparing particular changes to relevant examples from the past helps historians develop this capacity. The ability to identify the contrives that always accompany even the most dramatic changes also comes from studying history, as does the skill to determine probable causes of change.
A historian should exercise an understanding of common problems found within historical records. All historical provides a range of viewpoints and historians should be able with this fact. Material will sometimes complex, ambiguous, conflicting and often incomplete and historians should be aware of the dangers.
To conclude there are various other skills I believe historians should acquire. I feel all historians should have analytical ability and the capacity to consider and solve problems; this should include complex problems where there may not be single or simple solutions. I also feel that historian should have the skill to structure oral and written discussions with fluency and clarity as pivotal and a tool will be used daily.