Nature of Social Studies.ppt

A Detailed Description of Nature if Social studies..

1. What is Social Studies?

2. •Social Studies is the study of people and
how they interact with one another.
•The word(s) social studies is a basic term
given to include 8 disciplines (subjects) that
are examined in social studies.

3. 8 Disciplines of Social Studies
1. History 5. Religion
2. Geography 6. Anthropology
3. Government 7. Sociology
4. Economics 8. Psychology

4. The focusof social studies is for you to learn how to
understand, interpret, and live in your world.

5. •The Purpose of Social Studies:
1. To develop good citizens for the democratic
society in which we live.
2. To become contributing members of society.
3. To be informed and involved in the decision-making that
goes on in the community. (YOU MATTER!)
4. To be economically independent.
5. Be aware and knowledgeable about the world you live in.
6. To be able to solve problems.
Bottom line: TO BE INDEPENDENT, CARING, AND
RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEINGS!

7. History
•What it is:Study of the past (usually surviving
record of the past.)
•Focus of study:How humans interact with one
another and with the earth by studying documents
and records. (primary and secondary sources)
EX. Primary source-diary, letters, etc. Secondary source-
essays, biographies.
•What is means for you:Historians (you) are like
detectives always questioning how and why events
occurred and the impact of the following events. The
quest for historical knowledge begins!

8. Geography
•What it is:The study of the earth’s surface and how that
relates to human beings. How humans adapt to living
conditions and how humans change the geography (land).
•Focus of study:Through the use of maps and globes, they
want to know how people influence the land and impact
the resources.
•What it means for you:By studying geography you will
learn about the world and its people, and understand
geographically related problems are among the most
important ones facing the world today.

9. Government
•What it is:The study of the
government/authority and all that is associated
with the governing process.
•Focus of study:Study the judicial, legislative, and
executive process as well as studying different
kinds of governments.
•What it means for you:Understanding right from
wrong, justice, authority, power, security, and
politics and learn to analyze every event.

10. Economics
•What it is:Deals with resources and with the production
(making), exchange, and consumption (use) of goods and
services.
•Focus of study:How does the economy affect people’s
lives? Most problematic discipline to study because
resources are always likely to be exceeded by human
needs and wants.
•What it means for you:You will always be playing roles of:
1. Worker (producer of goods)
2. Consumer (user of goods)
3. Citizen (part of a society that operates under some
economic system.)

11. Religion
•What it is:Examines the system of beliefs and the
various practices associated with the various faiths
of the world.
•Focus of study:How religion impacts how people
live.
•What it means to you:Studying vs. Supporting
You do not have to believe in a specific religion, but by
studying it, you can understand and learn about others. You
become aware and gain tolerance for others.

12. Anthropology
•What it is:Study of culture, especially human culture.
Culture is a system of beliefs and values, behavior
patterns, and customs that is shared by a society of people.
•Focus of study:Anthropologists want to know: how
culture influences people, how culture is influenced by the
environment.
•What it means for you:We need to become less
ethnocentric and learn more about other cultures to build
tolerance and reduce the amount of prejudice and racism in
our world.

13. Sociology
•What it is:The study of how people act in groups.
•Focus of study:Sociologists are interested in
different kinds of groups and how these groups
interact with others. They study families,
classrooms, schools, community,and more.
•What it means to you:Understanding importance
of social order and influence and authority within
groups. The different roles people play and social
relationships.

14. Psychology
•What it is:Study of behavior and thinking
of individuals.
•Focus of study:Interested in what
motivates people, how and why people
make decisions.
•What it means for you:Understanding
why people behave as they do (past and
present) and the kind of action taken by
different types of leaders.

15. Let’s now find the Social
Studies in YOU!