Historical Interpretation: Why is it still such a major issue?

What exactly do we mean by historical interpretation? How is it different from any other kind of interpretation? Why is it difficult to teach and what can we reasonably expect from students in terms of their understanding of this concept?

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Introduction

1.1 Starter

1.2 Why is it important to study historical interpretations?

1.3 Defining historical interpretation

1.4 Different types of interpretation

1.5 Why is historical interpretation hard to teach?

1.6 What expectations should we have of students in terms of historical interpretation?

2. Addressing the issue

2.1 Useful resources for teachers

2.2 How can we help students get to grips with the concept of interpretations?

2.2.1 Careful construction of appropriate questions

2.2.2 Emphasising the nature of the discipline of history

2.2.3 The forms of interpretation studied

2.2.3.a Reconstruction

2.2.3.b Reputation

2.2.3.c Commemoration

2.2.4 Teaching about how and why we teach history

2.3 Interpretations applied in the classroom

2.3.1 Why does African history cause so many arguments?

2.3.2 The reputation of monarchs

2.3.3 Slavery

2.3.4 The military leaders in World War 1: Myth and Memory

2.3.5 The Paris Peace Conference

2.3.6 Holocaust denial

3. Researching the Issue