DISS – Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences (SHS) CNHS
Learning Area: Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences (DISS)
Classification: Specialized Subject
Track/Strand: Academic / Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS)
Type of Material: Self-Learning Modules
Download Links:
- DISS_mod1_Introduction to Social Sciences with Natural Sciences and Humanities
DISS_mod2_Nature and Functions of Social Sciences Disciplines
DISS_mod3_Historical Context of the Emergence of Social Science Disciplines
DISS_mod4_Concepts and Principles of the Social Science Theories
DISS_mod5_Structural – Functionalism and its Importance in Examining Socio – Cultural, Economic, and Political Conditions
DISS_mod6_Marxism and Symbolic Interactionism and its Importance in Examining Socio – Cultural, Economic, and Political Conditions
DISS_mod7_Dominant Approaches and Ideas of Social Sciences – Psychoanalysis and Rational Choice
DISS_mod8_Dominant Approaches and Ideas of Social Sciences – Insitutionalism and Feminist Theory
DISS_mod9_Dominant Approaches and Ideas of Social Sciences – Hermeneutical Phenomenology and Human- Environment Systems
DISS_mod10_The Importance of Psychoanalysis, Rational Choice,
DISS_mod11_The Importance of Feminist Theory, Hermeneutical Phenomenology, Human Environment Systems in Examining Sociocultural,
Click here for DISS Quarter 2 Modules
Module 2: HERMENUETICAL PHENOMENOLOGY
Module 3: Key Concepts and Approaches in Social Sciences
Module 4: Key Concepts and Approaches in Social Sciences
Module 7: Applications and Intersections of the Approaches in Addressing Social Problems
Module 8: Applications and Intersections of the Approaches in Addressing Social Problems
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social science is the scientific study of human society and social relationships. It seeks to understand how societies work, how people interact, how cultures develop, and how economies function.
Think of it as using the tools of science—observation, evidence collection, theory, and analysis—to study the most complex subject in the world: us.
The Core Idea: Society as a System
Social scientists view human behavior as not just random individual acts, but as part of a larger, interconnected system. This system is shaped by, and in turn shapes, things like:
- Social Structures: Governments, families, education systems, social classes.
- Norms and Cultures: Laws, traditions, beliefs, values, languages.
- Economic Forces: Markets, labor, trade, scarcity.
- Historical Context: Past events that have shaped our present.
The goal is to move beyond personal opinions and uncover the underlying patterns, causes, and effects in social life.
The Major Disciplines of Social Science
Social science is an umbrella term for several distinct but related fields. The main ones are:
| Discipline | Focuses On | Example Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology | Society as a whole, social structures, institutions, groups, and social problems. | Why does inequality exist? How does social media affect community? What is the function of the family? |
| Psychology | The individual human mind and behavior. | How do people learn? What causes mental illness? How do we make decisions? |
| Anthropology | Human cultures, both past and present. Often through in-depth fieldwork (ethnography). | What do the rituals of a remote tribe tell us about human belief? How has human evolution shaped our biology and culture? |
| Economics | The production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. | What causes inflation? How do we reduce poverty? What are the effects of free trade? |
| Political Science | Power, government, and political systems and behavior. | Why do nations go to war? How do different political systems (democracy, authoritarianism) function? What is the role of citizenship? |
| Human Geography | The relationship between people and their physical and cultural environments. | Why do people migrate? How do cities develop? How does climate change impact human settlements? |
Other important fields often included are Linguistics (the science of language), History (when studied analytically, not just chronologically), and Education Studies.
How is it “Scientific”?
This is a key question. Social science is scientific because it uses systematic, evidence-based methods to develop and test theories. However, studying people is different from studying chemicals, so the methods are often adapted.
Common Research Methods:
- Quantitative Methods: Using numbers and statistics. (e.g., large-scale surveys, analysis of census data, experiments).
- Qualitative Methods: Using words, descriptions, and in-depth understanding. (e.g., interviews, focus groups, ethnographic observation).
- Mixed Methods: Combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
The challenge is that human behavior is complex, context-dependent, and difficult to predict with 100% accuracy. Unlike in a lab, social scientists often cannot control all variables. This is why interpretation and debate are central to the field.
Why is Social Science Important?
Social science isn’t just an academic exercise. It has profound real-world applications:
- Informs Public Policy: Governments use economics to set interest rates, sociology to design welfare programs, and criminology to develop crime prevention strategies.
- Drives Business and Innovation: Market research (psychology/sociology) helps companies understand customers. Organizational behavior studies help manage workplaces.
- Helps Solve Social Problems: Research on the root causes of poverty, discrimination, and conflict is essential for creating solutions.
- Improves Everyday Life: Insights from social science shape everything from educational techniques and public health campaigns to urban planning and legal systems.
- Fosters Critical Thinking: It teaches us to question our assumptions, understand different perspectives, and see the bigger forces that shape our personal lives.
Social Science vs. Natural Science vs. Humanities
- Natural Science (e.g., Physics, Biology, Chemistry): Studies the natural, physical world. Focuses on objective, measurable data and controlled experiments.
- Humanities (e.g., Philosophy, Literature, Art History): Study the human experience through interpretation, critique, and understanding of meaning, values, and culture.
- Social Science: Sits in the middle. It uses scientific methods (like natural science) to study topics that are often interpretive (like the humanities)—human behavior, culture, and society.
In summary, social science is the rigorous and systematic effort to understand the complex, fascinating, and ever-changing world of human society. It provides the essential tools to move beyond guesswork and understand the “why” behind the way we live.
Module 1
Introduction to Social Sciences and Applied Social Sciences
Introduction: (GET STARTED)
This module helps you understand the works of the different disciplines in social sciences and applied social sciences. This topic introduces the connections, relationships, and differences between and among Applied Social Sciences such as counselling, social work, and communication, etc. that will help you explore career opportunities for your post-secondary career track
Learning Objectives: (SET THE DIRECTION)
Generally, at the end of the module, you are expected to explain clearly public
perceptions about the work of social sciences and applied social science practitioners.
Specifically, you are most likely to exhibit the following competencies:
Write a survey report on the perspective of the people to the 3 careers of the
applied social sciences.
- Differentiate social sciences from applied social sciences
- Describe your perspective on the relationship of social sciences and applied
social sciences. - Self-assess the benefits and importance of Applied Social Sciences to human
life.
Vocabulary List: RECALL AND RECONNECT
When you took-up Disciplines and Ideas in Social Sciences, you learned the
different disciplines under social sciences which belong to Pure Social Sciences.
Can you still remember them? Answer the following. The jumbled words will guide
you in identifying the social science discipline being described. Ready, Go and
answer.
- Study of society, social institutions, and social relationships
L O G I C O S Y O – ___________ - Study of human origins, societies, cultures, and races,
P Y L O G H A N T H O R – ______ - Branch of social science that deals with the production, distribution, consumption,
and management of goods & services
M O C O N I E C S – ___________ - Study of the natural features of the earth’s surface, including topography, climate,
soil, vegetation, etc., and man’s response to them
G Y R E O G A H P ______________ - Scientific study of language
G L U I T I N A C S – ____________ - Scientific study of all forms of human and animal behavior, sometimes concerned
with the methods through which behavior can be modified
S C H O O G L Y P Y – _________ - Scientific study of human populations especially with reference to their size,
structure, and distribution
P H O M R A G D I E C S _________________ - Study of government of states and other political units
S C E N I E C L O C L A P I L I T – __________ - Discipline of recording and interpreting past events involving human beings
S T I R O H Y – __________
Historical Background of Social Sciences Quexbook 2018
The history of the social sciences begun in the roots of ancient philosophy. In ancient history, there was no difference between Mathematics and the study of history, poetry or politics, only with the development of mathematical proof did there gradually arise a perceived difference between “scientific” disciplines and others such as the “humanities” or “liberal arts.”
The Age of Enlightenment saw a revolution within natural philosophy, changing the basic framework by which individuals understood what was “scientific”. In some quarters, the accelerating trend of mathematical studies presumed a reality independent of the observer and worked by its own rules. Social sciences came forth from the moral philosophy of the time and were influenced by the Age of Revolution, such as the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution.
The Social Sciences developed from the sciences (experimental and applied), or the systematic knowledge – bases or prescriptive practices, relating to the social improvement of a group of interacting entities.
According to Stearns et al. (2000) In the period of 1760
- Some effort was spent on the study of man and society. Hobbes` Leviathan; Lock’s Two Treatises on Government; Vico`s New Science; and Montesquieu Spirit of Laws were all published in this period.
- The revival of interest in social science occurred in the middle of the 18thcentury.
- By the middle of 18th century, capitalism had begun to outgrow its early state and gradually it became the dominant socio-economic system in western and northern Europe.
- In the second half of the 18th century, urbanization and population growth became accelerated, and during this period slums, alcoholism, brutality of manners etc. developed which were to become the targets of social reforms.
- In the other half of the 18th century, in response to the above there is a multiplication of works with a scientific character Essential Questions
What are the benefits and importance of Applied Social Sciences?
- What are the similarities and differences between social sciences and applied
social sciences? - What is the relationship of between social sciences and applied social science?
- In which aspects of human life can Applied Social Sciences be of real value?
Social Sciences
- Focus: Understanding society and human behavior through research and theory.
- Goal: To expand knowledge of social phenomena.
- Examples: Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology
Applied Social Sciences
- Focus: Applying social science theories and research to solve practical problems.
- Goal: To use social science knowledge to improve outcomes in various fields.
- Examples: Social Work, Urban Planning, Public Health, Education, Criminology
Similarities
- Both rely on research methods to gather data and analyze social phenomena.
- Both are concerned with understanding human behavior and social systems.
- Both contribute to our understanding of the world and how it works.
Differences
| Feature | Social Sciences | Applied Social Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Expand knowledge and understanding | Solve practical problems and improve outcomes |
| Focus | Theory and research | Application of theory and research |
| Orientation | Academic | Practical |
| Direct Impact | Indirect, through informing policy and practice | Direct, through interventions and programs |
| Examples | Economics, Sociology, Political Science | Social Work, Urban Planning, Public Health, Education |
Social Sciences:
- Focus: Social sciences are academic disciplines that use scientific methods to study human behavior, society, and social institutions.
- Scope: Social sciences encompass a wide range of specialized fields, each with its own specific area of study and research methodologies.
- Approach: Social sciences emphasize empirical research, data analysis, and the development of theories to explain social phenomena.
Social Studies:
- Focus: Social studies is an interdisciplinary field that aims to develop students’ understanding of history, civics, culture, and society.
- Scope: Social studies is broader and more integrated than social sciences, covering a range of topics related to citizenship, government, economics, geography, and history.
- Approach: Social studies emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, preparing students to be informed and engaged citizens.