Theory and Methodology of History: Textbook for Higher Education Institutions

Currently, the importance of the theory and methodology of history is deeply recognized by the professional community. Important steps have been taken to consolidate such knowledge at the level of the educational process. Theoretical vision is important for historians as a tool through which new insights can be gained and past generalizations can be deepened.

The textbook emphasizes familiarization not only with the classics but also with the current state of the theory of historical science and the main methods used in specific historical research. The book consists of two main blocks: theoretical and methodological. The first block studies various interpretations of the historical process from ancient times to the present day, presenting the most important contemporary approaches and concepts. The second block of the textbook is dedicated to the methodological toolkit of the historian. It examines the principles of constructing scientific theories, in connection with which readers become acquainted with the works of such authorities in the field of the methodology of science as K. Popper, T. Kuhn, and I. Lakatos. Next, general scientific methods are discussed: observation, experiment, modeling. The specificity of social and humanitarian sciences is shown. An overview of the methods of theoretical analysis is provided: comparison, analysis, and synthesis. Certain attention is paid to the methods of criticism of historical sources and historical hermeneutics.

The textbook is intended for students studying the course 'Theory and Methodology of History' according to the latest generation educational standard in the bachelor's program in the field of 'History', for graduate students; it also represents interest for a circle of readers interested in history.