History - common core subject in programmes for general studies (HIS1-02)

Basic skills

Basic skills are integrated in the competence aims where they contribute to development of the competence in the subject, while also being part of this competence. In the history subject basic skills are understood as follows:

Being able to express oneself orally and in writing in history means presenting a history topic clearly and concisely and applying relevant terms in one's own argumentation, analysis and reasoning. It also means being able to reflect on the meaning of content in texts, pictures and film, and to elaborate on and compare points of view in historical sources and literature.

Being able to read in history means developing one's vocabulary and general language skills by reading historical texts. This means reading with a critical mind and reflecting on how views on society influence a presentation. Key elements are reading and interpreting different types of historical material, with different origins and from different historical periods, and reading and interpreting pictures, film, historical maps and other graphic material, artefacts and written sources.

Being able to do mathematics in history means interpreting and applying tables and graphic presentations in descriptions and analyses of issues, and using quantitative historical data in one's own presentations.

Being able to use digital tools in history means developing awareness of being critical of sources when using the internet to find historical information. This means being able to search for and assess information from different websites and then use this in one's own presentations. Digital tools will be a natural aid for publication of one's own and joint work. Having digital skills also means being able to use digital communication and cooperation tools in interaction with others.