INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL SCIENCESHSP3M1

DEFINITIONS

“. . .focuses on the contributions made by anthropology, psychology and sociology to an understanding of human behaviour. [Social sciences] examine the use of social science methodologies to investigate how social and technological changes affect Canadian society and introduce students to the gathering and interpretation of data. These courses examine society through an exploration of contemporary issues and institutions”

- (Ministry of Education, Social Sciences and Humanities Curriculum)

So that means . . . .

OUR WORKING DEFINITION

Social Science:Noun. The scientific study of human society and

social relationships A subject within this field, such as economics

or politics (www.dictionary.com)

EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSES

Anthropology Economics Political science Psychology Sociology

All of these courses can be studied in a post secondary setting. If you find you are really interested by this course, perhaps the social sciences would be a field you would excel in as you move on with your academic career!

SO WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL SCIENCES CONCERNED WITH?

Animated Overview of the Social Sciences

Let’s take a closer look at what we will be studying this semester. . .

ANTHROPOLOGY: WHAT IS IT? Anthropology tries to understand the biological,

technological and cultural development of humanity over long time spans

Anthropology can be divided into 5 subsections:-physical: concerned with biological evolution of the

human and differences between humans/apes-archaeology: is the investigation of humans

through excavating and analyzing material remains

-cultural anthropology: studies contemporary and historical human societies and cultures

-linguistics: (is a field all on its own) describes and analyzes sound patterns and word combinations in human languages

-applied anthropology: hired anthropologists who work for institutions and organizations (hired to help problem solve)

ANTHROPOLOGISTS ARE CONCERNED WITH:

Almost everything about people interests anthropologists

Concerned with when, where, and how the human species originated and how humans have evolved

Try to explain the differences between cultures

One of the subsections of anthropology is liable to investigate anything from : genes, emotions, intellect, behaviour, language and religion

SOCIOLOGY: WHAT IS IT?

Sociology is a critical awareness of society and how it works.

Sociologists attempt to explain the different forces and influences that shape how someone grows up

Sociology tries to explain social change, social functioning and where the individual fits in with society

SOCIOLOGIST’S CONCERNS:

How to people function in groups? How is society organized? Question the way that human beings

interact, the way they behave and to consider what people do

Society and its rules are always changing, that is why the study of society (sociology) is so complicated

Therefore, sociology is always changing and growing as a discipline

PSYCHOLOGY: WHAT IS IT?

The scientific study of the mind and behaviours of humans and animals

Greek word, when broken down means:Psyche= soul/self and logia (study of) - Have been known to study plants and

animals, but then apply this to human behaviour

PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE CONCERNED WITH THINGS SUCH AS: Psychoanalysis (Freud: Studying the mind and

the way one thinks in relation to behaviour) Behaviourism Sense of self/ identity/ self-perception Personality Defence Mechanisms Interpersonal Relationships/ Group

Relationships Remember: psychology is different than

psychiatry. Psychologists are generally involved in therapeutic or counselling roles or they work on an academic level, doing research into human behaviour, often for universities. A psychiatrist is a doctor.

SO WHAT WILL WE BE STUDYING?

This course will use the three social sciences to tackle some important issues

Often we will be discussing sensitive issues pertaining to race, gender, sex and culture- if something makes you uncomfortable, let me know, but because of this, please be careful of other’s opinions and what we say

WE WILL BE STUDYING: