Everything you need to know about social studies!

What are Social Studies? 

Social Studies (also referred to as social sciences) is a field that deals with an academic understanding of human behavior, relationships, and institutions. This discipline inculcates socially responsible behavioral traits amongst the different groups within society. 

Social Studies play an important role in helping younger generations connect with the real world. In a global environment, such as the one present today, it is crucial for you to prepare to interact with individuals across all communities and cultures. 

Keep reading to learn more about the importance of this dynamic discipline and the skillsets you can expect to achieve in this field of study! 

Social Studies is a discipline that is significant in the different branches of study that deal with how individuals in society live and work together. The discipline has no limit and includes the following core fields – 

• Civics 
• Psychology 
• Geography 
• Economics 
• History 

Learning Social Studies can be fundamental in allowing you to have a deeper viewpoint on global citizenship. Academic effort in this field also highlights the importance of learning about political beliefs, geography, and cultural divergence. 

Social Studies also play a fundamental role in allowing younger citizens to contribute positively to society and engage in democratic discourse. 

This is a subject in the academic curriculum from middle school, allowing early exposure to cultures. 

Read more: Difference between social studies and social science

Importance of Social Studies

1. It helps to provide education for effective citizenship.
2. It helps in the all-around development of the personality.
3. It helps in developing awareness about the problems of society.
4. It is helpful in developmental projects of society.
5. It helps in the development of worthwhile values.
6. It helps in developing loyalty to society.
7. It helps for national and international understanding.
8. It helps the individual to know about their environment.
9. It promotes national integration.
10. It develops the capacity for logical thinking and sound rational judgment.

Also read: Social scholarship program | Rs 1 CR for study-abroad students

What does a Social Scientist do? 

A social scientist is a professional who practices social studies as a career.

Social scientists need to thoroughly understand all aspects of society. These include past achievements and events in human behavior and the relationships across different groups. 

Social scientists also conduct a significant amount of research that provides global insights into the following – 

• The different ways in which groups function 
• How established institutions make decisions 
• Authorities that exercise power 
• How society collectively adapts and responds to change 

Through their analyses and studies, social scientists work to provide deep insights into the physical, social, and overall cultural development of human beings. As a field, social studies also helps establish a link between human activity and the global environment. 

What Skills Should a Social Scientist Have? 

The National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) has stated that – 

“The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.” 

To meet this goal, a social scientist needs to have the relevant skills that are essential to the industry. 

These include – 

1. Critical Analysis Skills 

A social scientist needs to recognize the key differences between primary and secondary sources as evidence. Therefore, an important skill in ‌social studies is the ability to thoroughly evaluate sources. 

In most cases, a social scientist has a strong foundation in data science, as this contributes to the relevant research skills that the industry demands. 

2. Curiosity 

In a world where endless amounts of information are available at your fingertips, social studies demand professionals who ask the right questions. Therefore, social scientists should be able to observe the world around them and reframe questions. These reframed questions open several opportunities for innovation. 

3. Teamwork 

Finally, one of the most important skills for social scientists is the ability to work with other people and achieve group objectives. Social studies require that professionals be aware of other individuals’ reactions and understand the potential causes behind their behavior. 

These scientists should also be able to change their behavior towards the actions of others and persuade groups to approach established objectives differently. 

Social Studies Subjects

A course in social sciences encompasses a broad range of subjects. You will be trained in each of these disciplines, allowing you to choose a specialization most suited to your interests for your postgraduate study.

The different subjects that comprise social studies include – 

1. Archaeology 

Archaeology is the study of humanity through the material remains of early life and past eras. As a subject, archaeologists explore past cultures. This field of study, however, relies heavily on evidence from material remains. 

2. Anthropology 

Anthropology is also well-known as the ‘science of humanity’. This subject explores a wide range of topics that relate to the human experience in social studies. The topics include cultural relations, human behavior, and the influence of societal structures. 

3. History 

History is one of the broader social studies subjects that involves studying particular periods in the past. As a part of this course, you will be trained in interpreting sources, looking at and altering the current theories of the past, and assessing ideas based on available evidence. 

Read more: Humanities subjects | everything you need to know

4. Geography 

It analyses population, land, and the fundamental relationship between these two. Geography is also a social studies subject that is closely linked to the earth sciences. 

5. Law 

Law is a crucial subject covered in social studies curricula. Studying law allows you to understand how established rules and regulations impact human behavior. 

6. Economics 

Finally, economics is one of the core subjects ‌you will be introduced to in social studies courses. This is a discipline that understands the production, distribution, and consumption of different goods and services. Theoretically and practically, you can apply this knowledge if you are interested in the current economic state of affairs. 

Branches of Social Studies 

1. Anthropology: Ever wondered why we are the way we are? That’s exactly what anthropologists dig into! Think of them as detectives of humanity, piecing together our story from ancient bones to modern-day TikTok dances. They’re like time travelers who study everything from why we started walking upright to why we can’t stop checking our phones at dinner. It’s fascinating stuff – they’re basically professional people-watchers who help us understand our own quirks and cultures.
2. Communication Studies: You know that feeling when you send a text and someone completely misunderstands it? That’s exactly what communication scholars study! They’re like the CSI team of conversations, analyzing everything from why your emoji choice matters to how Netflix shows influence our daily chats. They investigate why some people can command a room with just a few words while others struggle to order coffee without stuttering.
3. Economics: Think of economics as the science of choices in a world where we can’t have everything we want. It’s like being the manager of a massive household budget, but for entire countries! Why can some people afford yachts while others struggle with rent? Why does your coffee cost $5 at one place and $2 at another? Economists are like financial detectives, solving the mysteries of money and markets.
4. Education: It’s way more than just teaching ABCs and 123s! Education experts are like gardeners of the mind, figuring out how to help different types of learners bloom. They study why some teaching methods work like magic for one student but fall flat for another. These folks are the architects of learning, designing the blueprints for how we’ll educate future generations.
5. Geography: Imagine being a storyteller who explains why everything is where it is! Geographers are like Earth’s biographers, telling tales of how mountains formed, why cities grew where they did, and how climate shapes our lives. They’re the ones who can explain why your hometown looks the way it does and why certain places become tourist hotspots while others don’t.
6. History: Think of historians as time-traveling journalists, piecing together humanity’s greatest (and worst) hits. They’re not just memorizing dates – they’re solving mysteries from the past! Whether it’s figuring out why ancient civilizations collapsed or how a tweet started a revolution, historians help us understand our present by decoding our past.
7. Law: Law isn’t just about dusty old books and courtroom drama. It’s the ultimate rulebook for human society – think of it as the operating system for civilization! Legal scholars are like society’s referees, studying how to keep things fair and functional. They investigate everything from why you can’t park in certain spots to how international treaties keep countries from fighting.
8. Linguistics: Ever wondered why we say “cool” when we mean “awesome” or how babies learn to talk? Linguists are like language detectives, uncovering the secrets behind how we communicate. They study everything from why teenagers create new slang to how ancient languages evolved. It’s like being a code-breaker for human speech!
9. Political Science: It’s like studying a never-ending game of chess where the pieces are countries, leaders, and power dynamics. Political scientists are the sports analysts of the political world, breaking down why leaders make certain moves and how those decisions affect everyone else. They study everything from why your local council made that annoying parking rule to why countries go to war.
10. Psychology: These are the detectives of the mind, exploring why we do what we do – even when we don’t know why we’re doing it! They investigate everything from why we can’t resist checking our phones to why we fall in love with certain people. Think of psychologists as mind readers who use science instead of crystal balls.
11. Sociology: Sociologists are like social weatherpeople, studying the patterns of human behavior in groups. They look at why certain trends go viral, why some neighborhoods thrive while others struggle, and how social media is changing our relationships. They’re the ones who can explain why your grandparents view the world differently than you do and why certain fashion trends keep coming back!

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10 Definitions of Social Studies

1. Walter C. Parker (2001): Social studies is “a school subject that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to participate in public life and in the democratic process.”
2. National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS): “Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence.”
3. Edgar Wesley (1950): “Social studies is the social science simplified for pedagogical purposes.”
4. Barr, Barth, and Shermis (1977): “Social studies is an integrative discipline that synthesizes history, geography, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, and anthropology to help students develop the ability to make informed decisions as citizens.”
5. James Banks (1990): “Social studies is the interdisciplinary study of citizenship and government through history, geography, economics, and other fields.”
6. Peter Martorella (1994): “Social studies is a field of study that deals with the nature of society and its complexities, focusing on the interactions between humans and their environment.”
7. Ola Rotimi (2000): “Social studies is the study of the relationship between individuals and the society they live in, emphasizing civic responsibility and engagement.”
8. Fenton and Reymont (2002): “Social studies focuses on human behavior and interactions, aiming to create socially aware and responsible citizens.”
9. Thomas Lickona (1991): “Social studies education is the process by which students learn about the social and cultural dimensions of life, preparing them for civic participation.”
10. Arthur Ellis (2006): “Social studies is the study of people in relation to each other and to their world, aiming to create informed and engaged citizens.”

Books on Social Studies 

These are some of the greatest books on social sciences:

1. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

2. The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir

3. Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels

4. The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

5. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

6. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville

7. Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee

8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

9. Das Kapital by Karl Marx

10. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft

11. The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois

12. The Confusions of Young Törless by Robert Musil

13. The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan

14. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell, Peter Miles

15. The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith

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Key Takeaways 

• Social Studies is a field that understands and explores the relationship between individuals, groups, and establishments. 
• Studying this subject is fundamental in allowing you to connect and interact with individuals across a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. 
• It also promotes the development of global citizenship responsibilities and values that can contribute positively to society in the long run. 
• The different subjects that comprise social studies courses ‌provide you with well-rounded knowledge of the disciplines within the field. 

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FAQs

Ques 1: What are the most popular social science occupations? 

Answer 1: The most popular social science occupations include historians, geographers, archaeologists, and anthropologists. 

Ques 2: Are map skills essential for a career in social studies? 

Answer 2: Yes, map skills are crucial for a career in social studies. As a social scientist, you should be able to understand the type of map you are looking at. You are also expected to use map conventions, such as keys, orientation, and scale. 

Ques 3: Will I be trained in sociology and psychology as part of a social sciences course?

Answer 3: Yes, sociology and psychology are among the most common subjects covered in social sciences courses.

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Sr. Content Writer

Aastha Arya is a Senior Content Writer at iSchoolConnect who writes about topics covering study abroad trends, exclusive news updates and prolific college courses. She has a 4-year of experience in this field and also likes to keep tabs on recent events, visa policy changes, and many other concerns that affect international students.

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