The Difference

By Prof. Jet T. Castillo

In the New General Education Curriculum
prescribed by CHED….
• There are no more Math subjects like Algebra, Trigonometry,
Statistics, Geometry, and Calculus
• There are no more English grammar subjects
• There are no more Chemistry, Biology and Physics
• There are no more Social Science subjects like Economics, Sociology,
and Psychology
• But there is still a history subject required.
• And it is named “Readings in Philippine History”
How different is it from the
old Philippine History subject?
• In MCL, we call that subject SS032, Readings in Philippine History
5 Big Differences of SS032 from the Old
History Course
1. SS032 uses primary sources
• We will discuss in-depth next week what are primary sources; but to
give you now a layman’s idea…
• Primary sources are ORIGINAL sources of history
• Some examples are actual treaties, contracts, diaries of heroes, and
photographs.
• We will not use TEXTBOOKS, because they are secondary sources.
• Why?
• We want to arrive at the PURE TRUTH of matters. Textbooks have a
“writer’s bias.”
2. In SS032, we will analyze, not memorize!
• Old-style history classes require students to memorize tons of dates,
irrelevant people’s names and places.
• Here, since we will be scrutinizing ORIGINAL documents, it means we
will do a lot of ANALYSIS.
• We will dig up truths by reading and studying carefully these primary
sources.
• We will be like detectives. SS032 will be fun.
• Memorization is not part of our objectives.
3. In SS032, there is more interaction
• In the old-style history class, the teacher would normally just lecture
the whole hour, while the student is expected to listen and take down
notes.
• Here in SS032, the there will be many activities like seatworks,
debates, graded recitation, and fieldwork.
• In order to analyze the primary sources and arrive at the truth, you
need to INTERACT with your seatmate/classmates so you can see all
the possible angles of matters.
• You need to be more industrious and extra-diligent this time.
4. In SS032, you will to contribute to
Philippine History
• In the old history classes, students take tests, and if they score
enough points, they get a passing grade.
• In SS032, aside from these written tests, you will be required to go
outside of the classroom, and do fieldwork like a historian, and
contribute to the body of knowledge of history.
• As your final exam, you will WRITE a LOCAL HISTORY. It’s a history
story not yet in history books. You will dig it up from someone,
somewhere. That will be your CONTRIBUTION to Philippine History.
• We will discuss next time how you will do it.
5. SS032 is a Transformative Course; you will
be a better Filipino.
• Most old-style history classes would leave the student unappreciative
of the course, of current events, and his being a Filipino.
• This is because of how history was taught. It’s just ADDITIVE, not
TRANSFORMATIVE.
• Transformation will happen if we will constantly establish the
relevance of the historical events to the life we are living here in the
21st century; infer solutions to the problems we are facing today, after
discovering their historical roots; and develop love for the nation.
• In the end, this course will transform you into a better Filipino.
Summary

Old History Course Readings in Philippine History

• Uses secondary sources • Uses primary sources (original
(textbooks) materials)
• Memorization • Analysis
• Lots of lectures, little interaction • Less lecture, more interaction
• Exam-based grade • Output-based grade
(contribution to body of
knowledge)
• Knowledge is added to the
student • Student is transformed into a
better Filipino
Grading System

Prelims 20%
Midterms 20%
Finals 20%
Others 40%
Quizzes 20%
Others 20%
(HW,SW,Recit)
TOTAL 100%