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Introduction To Social Sciences: Week 1

The document provides an introduction to social sciences. It discusses that social science aims to study human society using clear methodologies. Historically, social science emerged in the 18th century to study topics separately from natural sciences such as sociology, political science, economics, and others. Social science research uses quantitative and qualitative methods, with quantitative focusing on measurable data and qualitative focusing on observation and interviews. Major theories in social science include positivism, constructivism, critical theory, and feminist theory.

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33 views10 pages

Introduction To Social Sciences: Week 1

The document provides an introduction to social sciences. It discusses that social science aims to study human society using clear methodologies. Historically, social science emerged in the 18th century to study topics separately from natural sciences such as sociology, political science, economics, and others. Social science research uses quantitative and qualitative methods, with quantitative focusing on measurable data and qualitative focusing on observation and interviews. Major theories in social science include positivism, constructivism, critical theory, and feminist theory.

Uploaded by

isha_s
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Social

Sciences
Week 1
Lecture 1
What arethat
-social science is a field of academia the aims
SocialtoSciences?
study the
human society.

It is an umbrella term used for fields outside of the natural


sciences.

Since it is a “science” there is a clear methodology developed


in this field.

It studies society, human experiences and all that is “social”


in the world. It is often also referred to as the “science of
society”.
History of Social Sciences
-Historically, there was no distinction between the natural and
social sciences. Scholars studied math, science, philosophy and
politics all under one field as “knowledge”.

-Since the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, the field of


social science has become more concrete and descriptive.

-Scholars such as Diderot, Rousseau and Comte were all pioneers


of this field. Their works revolutionized how we view and
understand society.

-Social science was further developed through the works of


Durkheim, Weber and Marx.
Fields of Social Science
1) History
2) Geography
3) Sociology
4) Political Science
5) Economics
6) Philosophy
7) Literature
8) Development Studies
9) Religious Studies
Social Science Research
-Social science research is what social scientists conduct to
arrive to conclusions about society.

There are two main types of social science research:

Quantitative Research: focuses on all that is “measureable”.


The aim is to find data and reach results that can be proven
through statistics and analysis.

Qualitative Research: focuses on social phenomena through


observation, interviews and analysis of texts. It is more
subjective than quantitative research.
Major Theories
Positivism
-belief in the scientific method as the best form of acquiring
knowledge. This knowledge is universal.

-both physical and human events can be uncovered through


science. Knowledge acquired through sensory experiences
and positive verification is the only true knowledge.

-usually equated with quantitative research, positivists


believe that the goal of social inquiry is the explain and
predict and that science does not equal common sense.
Constructivism
-knowledge is constructed through our experiences and
interpretation of them thus making it more subjective.

-What we know is a social construct and how we define reality


is a result of our cultural context.

-learning is an active, ever changing process. Learners


continuously test their hypotheses through social negotiation.

-knowledge is an culmination of past experiences and cultural


variables.
Critical Theory
-critical theory is a critique of society and culture as a whole.

-critical theory is emancipatory in nature and aims to critique


set establishment.

-it is anti-oppression and domination and usually brings with


it a revolutionary fervour.

-critical theory does not discuss how knowledge/reality is


acquired/constructed but how knowledge/reality should be
challenged.
Feminist Theory
-aims to understand gender inequality in the world.

-it provides a critique of social relations between men and


women and focuses on equal rights for women.

-it aims to de-objectify the image of a “woman”, challenge


notions of oppression, subjugation and patriarchy in society.

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