Download Introduction to the Social Sciences

INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL
SCIENCES
HSP3M1
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: