HSC Stuff > HSC Extension History
History Extension Question Thread!
sarah.l:
Hiya!! :)
Bit of an odd question. I included the word "zeitgeist" in part of my major work ("the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time") but upon revision I find the concept pretty unattainable in hindsight. I was wondering if I can get some thoughts/opinions/personal interpretations? It would really help me organize my thoughts :D :D :D
sudodds:
--- Quote from: sarah.l on May 11, 2017, 12:27:16 pm ---Hiya!! :)
Bit of an odd question. I included the word "zeitgeist" in part of my major work ("the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time") but upon revision I find the concept pretty unattainable in hindsight. I was wondering if I can get some thoughts/opinions/personal interpretations? It would really help me organize my thoughts :D :D :D
--- End quote ---
Hi Sarah!
Happy to help out, but I'm a little bit confused as to what you are asking + need a little bit more context in order to give you the most constructive help :)
Is your question whether a zeitgeist can actually be accurately identified? Is you essay question on the concept of the zeitgeist, or is it just something that has naturally popped up in your own essay (i.e. not necessarily a key point)? Is there a particular zeitgeist that you are discussing (i.e. period of time?)?
Thanks! Once I have a better understanding of what you are asking I'll be able to give you some better advice :)
Susie
sarah.l:
Hi! :)
It happened to pop up relatively naturally - I was writing about looking back on the past and attempting to capture an 'accurate' sense of essence, until I gave it some thought and decided that it can't actually be done. Ultimately, I'm trying to say that 'period' labels are pretty arbitrary, and that a generalized 'essence' is subject to a whole heap of sexism, classism and racism. I decided I should probably get some other ideas so that I can get a nice, well-rounded opinion :)
sudodds:
--- Quote from: sarah.l on May 12, 2017, 10:03:52 am ---Hi! :)
It happened to pop up relatively naturally - I was writing about looking back on the past and attempting to capture an 'accurate' sense of essence, until I gave it some thought and decided that it can't actually be done. Ultimately, I'm trying to say that 'period' labels are pretty arbitrary, and that a generalized 'essence' is subject to a whole heap of sexism, classism and racism. I decided I should probably get some other ideas so that I can get a nice, well-rounded opinion :)
--- End quote ---
Ah okay I getcha! Definitely an interesting argument - and I have to agree with you there! To suggest that one, universally applicable zeitgeist can be applicable to a period of time (or even just a period of time within one section of the world!) is very simplistic. For example, looking at the Middle Ages as the 'Dark Ages', categorised as backwards, superstitious and uneducated/cultured, is most definitely not an accurate label to describe the Islamic World at this time, which was going through a kind of golden era. There is actually a historiographical concept to describe this - reductionism (a bunch of my students are doing their major works on this, so interesting that you brought this up!) :) I also love how you linked this idea to other issues, such as sexism, classism and racism, because they definitely play an important role. It was only in recent decades (1970s - ) that history has begun to be written from other perspectives (social history/bottom up history), prior to that the history of 'Great White Men' was dominant - and thus their actions contributed to the apparent 'zeitgeist'. So if you want to do more research on this, I definitely recommend having a look into the concepts of reductionism and social history/history from the bottom up :)
Hope this helps! If there is anything more you want to discuss from this/you found confusing let me know!
Susie
Rasika:
How do you study for the paper one section?
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version