1. History as AoK
ToK 23rd Jan 2013

2. Common Themes:
• Is there a single historical truth ?
• Why is history an important AoK ?
• Why are there competing versions of
history ?

3. Why worry about History ?
Sandra Bem (1984): Who are you ?
1. Name.
2. Gender.
3. Nationality.
Defined by History ?

4. A" A people without History is like a
tree without roots"
Malcolm X

5. "History is written
by the victors"
Winston Churchill

6. "History defines who we are:
• as individuals
• as families.
• as communities.
• as nations. Hegel (1770-1831)
By defining History we define a
person's self identity.
"his - story"

8. Japanese History TextBook
Controversy
Video....,

9. History as Public Relations
You are a Public Relations person for a
historical figure.
work in pairs.
Devise a 1-2 min presentation to 'relaunch' your
historical figure in a more positive light.
Acknowledge their weaknesses, and 'recast'
them as reactions to situations/events etc.

11. History TimeMachine
A stroke of fortune has struck you ! :)
You are the happy recipient of a Back to The
Future DeLorean (or Dr Who's Tardis time
machine).
work in pairs.
Identify which Historical Period / event you would
travel back to in order to clarify / improve the
historical record. Why would you go back to that
particular period/event ? what is the competing
evidence which needs clarifying etc ?

12. Historical Truth ?
You are now in-charge of the official recorded
history of the world thenceforth.
Work in pairs.
Devise a set of criteria by which you will judge
which historical records (from 2013 onwards)
are the most objective and therefore should
be placed in the historical record.