Republic of the Philippines
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY Preliminaries
Course Title: Readings in Philippine History
No. of Units: 3 units
Course Description:
Philippine History viewed from the lens of selected primary sources in different periods, analysis and interpretations.
The course aim to expose students to different facets of Philippine history through the lens of eyewitnesses. Rather than rely on
secondary materials such as textbooks, which is the usual approach in teaching Philippine history, different types of primary sources will
be used – written ( qualitative and quantitative), oral, visual, audio – visual, digital – covering various aspects of Philippine life ( political,
economic, social, cultural). Students are expected to analyse the selected readings contextually and in terms of content (stated and
implied) The end goal is to enable students to understand and appreciate our rich past by deriving insights from those who were actually
present at the time of the event.
Contextual analysis considers the following: (i) the historical context of the source [time and place it was written and the situation at the
time, (i) the author’s background, intent (to the extent discernable), and authority on the subject; and (iii) the source’s relevance and
meaning today.
Content analysis, on the other hand, applies appropriate techniques depending on the type of source (written, oral, visual). In the process
students will be asked, for example, to identify the author’s main argument or thesis, compare
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points of view, identify biases, and evaluate the author’s claim based on the evidences presented or other available evidence at the time.
The course will guide the students through their reading and analysis of the texts and require them to write reaction essays of varied
length and present their ideas in other ways (debate format, power point presentation, letter to the editor of the source, etc).
The instructor may arrange the readings chronological or thematically, and start with the present (more familiar) and go back to the earlier
periods or vice-versa. (CMO No. 20, series of 2013)
Couse Description:
The course analyses Philippine history from multiple perspectives through the lens of selected primary sources coming from various
disciplines and of genres. Students are given opportunities to analyse the author’s background and main arguments, compare different
points of view, identify biases and examine the evidences presented in the document. The discussions will tackle traditional topics in
history and other and other interdisciplinary themes that will deepen and broaden their understanding of Philippine political, economic,
cultural, social, scientific and religious history. Priority is given to primary materials that could help students develop their analytic and
communication skills. The end goal is to develop the historical and critical consciousness of the students so that they will become
versatile, articulate, broad-minded, morally upright and responsible citizens.
This course includes mandatory topics on the Philippine Constitution, agrarian reform, and taxation.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Evaluate primary sources for their credibility, authenticity, and provenance
2. Analyze the context, content, and perspective of different kinds of primary sources
3. Determine the contribution of different kinds of primary sources in understanding Philippine history
4. Develop critical and analytical skills with exposure to primary sources
5. Demonstrate the ability to use primary sources to argue in favour or against a particular issue
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6. Effectively communicate, using various techniques and genres, their historical analysis of a particular event or issue that could
help others understand the chosen topic
7. Propose recommendations/solutions to present – day problems based on their understanding of root causes and their
anticipation of future scenarios
8. Display the ability to work in a team and contribute to a group project
9. Manifest interest in local history and concern in promoting and preserving our country’s national patrimony and cultural
heritage
Number of Hours: 3 hours every week for 18 weeks or 54 hours in a semester
Course Outline
WEEK TOPIC
Meaning and relevance of history; distinction of primary and secondary
1-2
sources; external and internal criticism; repositories of primary sources
Content and contextual analysis of selected primary sources;
3-6 identification of the historical importance of the text; and examination of
the author’s main argument and point of view
“ One past but many histories”: controversies and conflicting views in
Philippine history
a. Site of the First Mass
7-10
b. Cavite Munity
c. Retraction of Rizal
d. Cry of Balintawak or Pugad Lawin
Social, political, economic and cultural issues in Philippine history
Mandated topics:
1. Agrarian Reform Policies
11-14
2. The Philippine Constitution: 1899 (Malolos) Constitution, 1973
Constitution; 1987 Constitution
3. Taxation
15-18 Critical evaluation and promotion of local and oral history, museums,
historical shrines, cultural performances, indigenous practices, religious
rites and rituals, etc.
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