Final answer:
Students need a framework to engage critically with history and to distinguish personal biases from historical facts. Practicing historical empathy and understanding the influence of societal constructs on their perspectives are essential for students to comprehend and analyze historical references and arguments effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Students are left with no framework to understand, accept, or rebut historical referents used in arguments by candidates for office, sociology professors, or newspaper journalists. This lack of framework can be attributed to various reasons, such as a limited understanding of historical empathy, the prevalence of biased perspectives, and a societal construction of reality that may not encourage critical examination of the past. The practice of historical empathy is crucial as it allows historians and students to meet the past on its own terms, seeking to avoid presentism. Moreover, it is essential for students to acknowledge their biases and how they influence interpretations of history. Enhancing critical thinking skills is necessary to analyze and discuss these biases effectively, as well as to differentiate the social constructions of reality from historical facts. Contrary to the perception that all claims are merely opinions, historical analysis requires sound reasoning and skepticism towards 'alternative facts.' Students must cultivate the ability to distinguish between opinions and historical facts, a skill that extends beyond memorization to critical analysis and interpretation. As educators, it's essential to equip students with the capability to critically engage with history and the skills to discern their own viewpoints amidst a variety of interpretations.