Meaning, Nature and Scope of Social
Science
Social
Science is a generic term covering the scientific study of man. It is a discipline or
branch of science that deals with the socio-cultural aspects of human
behaviour. It is the study of human society and of individual relationships in
and to society. It is also is defined as any scholastic discipline or
scientific field that investigates human society. Social science investigations
examine an individual’s relationship with and interaction in society
The social
sciences generally include cultural anthropology, economics, political science,
sociology, criminology, and social psychology.
What are the seven social
sciences?
The seven social
sciences are: anthropology,
economics, geography, history, political
science, sociology,
and psychology.
Definition of Social Science:
Social
science is defined as any scholastic discipline or scientific
field that investigates human society.
Ø According
to James High “Social Sciences as those bodies of learning and study which
recognizes the simultaneous and mutual action of physical and no-physical
stimuli which produce social relation”.
Ø According
to Charles Beard “Social Sciences are a body of knowledge and thought
pertaining to human affairs as distinguished from sticks, stones, stars and
physical objects”.
Ø Bining
& Bining defines Social Science as “the subject that relate to the origin,
organization, and development of human society, especially to man in his
association with other men”.
Social Studies:
Social Studies is
a field of study which deals with man, his relation with other men and his
environment; its content is drawn from several social sciences. It is a course
of study including anthropology, history, geography, economics, political
science, sociology, law, civics, etc.
Definition of Social Studies:
It is a course of
study including geography, history, e government, and sociology, taught in
secondary and elementary schools.
Ø According to
Michaelis, “the Social Studies are concerned with man and his interaction with
his social and physical environment; they deal with human relationships; the
central function of the social studies is identical with the central purpose of
education – the development of democratic citizenship”.
Ø National
Council for the Social Studies defined Social Studies as “the integrated study
of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence".
Ø The study of history, geography, civics, sociology,
economics, and other social-science subjects, especially in primary and
secondary school.
The Importance of Social Science
Most of these fields of social science touch
every ones lives in one way or another. The vast majority of the fields do no
better than make broad generalizations to try to explain the observed facts.
There are not many that can with confidence claim any absolutes.
It has been said, “the unexamined life is hardly
worth living!” Many of these disciplines work to examine human's collective
lives and to learn lessons from them. Only as mankind learns from the many
mistakes they have made can they hope to survive and have a peaceful, fulfilled
society. Therefore, scientists and society as a whole must take the time to
analyze the past and learn to do things better this time around. The social
sciences often draw in the concepts of the natural sciences as well in efforts
to achieve understanding and improve the world.
Nature of Social Science:
The
real nature of this discipline can be well understood by analyzing the above
definitions.
1. A
unique combination of various disciplines.
2. A
study of human relationships.
3. A
study of man’s development through ages.
4. A
realistic course of study.
5. It
forms an important part of the core-curriculum.
6. It
includes commitment to action.
7.
Aims at preparing the learner for wholesome social living.
Scope of Social Studies:
The
scope of Social Studies is very vast and wide as wide as the world itself and
as lengthy as the history of man. According to Michaelis “the breadth of social
studies programme should provide for a variety of experiences so that the
child’s learning will be well rounded and well balanced”.
The
main points are as follows:
1.
Vast and wide as the world. It is as wide as the world and s long as the world.
It is the study of human relationships in areas such as:
a. People of one’s own nationality and
people across the world.
b. People and various kinds of institutions.
c. People and Earth.
d. People and Time.
e. People and resources.
2. A
functional study of Natural and Physical sciences and Fine Arts.
Social Science - Natural Science –
Physical Science are inter related
Development, change, etc. in one field
effect the others
3. A
study of current affairs.
4. A
study leading to International Understanding.
5.
Practical study of various resources.
Similarities between Social studies and
Social Sciences:
·
Social Science and Social Studies are not only
related generically. They also share common body of content.
·
Both are related to society and have same aims
and objectives.
·
Both emphasis on inculcating good qualities
like truthfulness, sincerity, etc. of human being.
·
Both helps to understand the various aspects
of the society and utilize them.
·
Both are must be accurate and reliable- only
then can be useful.
Difference between Social Studies and
Social Science:
1.
The
focus and emphasis of both are different:- When a student studies
geography as a social science, he has to focus his attention on the methods of
geography, tools and concepts, etc. Wile
studying geography as a social studies, he should focus attention on using
ideas and concepts from geography, to understand man, how his efforts to control his environment
have led to a better life, how various geographical factors influence his life, etc.
2.
Social
Sciences represent an adult approach, while the social studies represent a
child-approach: Social sciences are to be taught at the high
school and college level. Social Studies are simplified portions of social
sciences to be taught at primary level.
3.
Social
sciences are the theory part of human affairs; social studies are the practice
part of human affairs: Social sciences are large bodies of
organized and authentic knowledge representing human affairs.
While social studies gives an insight into various aspects of man and society.
4.
The
social sciences are far larger than the social studies: The purpose of the social sciences is to find
out new truth about human relationships; the purpose of the social studies is
to guide adolescents in their learning of selected portions of what has been
discovered in social sciences.
5.
In social sciences, social utility is the
primary object; in social studies instructional utility is the primary object.
6.
Social sciences are the part of cultural of
knowledge having direct bearing on man’s activities in any field, Social
studies offers learning situation and insight into all knowledge.
Conclusion:
The two terms actually
have similar application.
The term "social
studies", in elementary and secondary education, includes sociology,
history, political science, economics, religion, geography, and anthropology.
The term "social
sciences" is sometimes applied solely to higher education, and originally
included the studies of jurisprudence (law), education, health, economics, and
art. However, the definition can include all of the studies concerned with man
and society.
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