Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences

Introduction to Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences

Welcome to Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences (DISS)! This course is designed to introduce you to the fascinating world of social sciences, exploring the various disciplines that study human society and social relationships. Through this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the concepts, subjects, and methods of inquiry that define the social sciences.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Understand the Emergence of Social Sciences:

• Define social sciences and distinguish them from natural sciences and humanities.

• Trace the historical and social contexts that led to the development of each social science discipline.

Explore Key Disciplines:

• Gain insights into the major disciplines within the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, geography, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, and demography.

• Understand the main areas of inquiry and methods used in these disciplines.

Analyze Influential Thinkers and Ideas:

• Discuss the contributions of influential thinkers in the social sciences.

• Relate these ideas to the Philippine setting and current global trends.

Apply Social Science Approaches:

• Interpret personal and social experiences using relevant social science approaches such as structural-functionalism, Marxism, symbolic interactionism, psychoanalysis, and more.

• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.

Connect Theory to Practice:

• Illustrate how social science theories and methods can be applied to real-world situations and social issues.

• Recognize the role of social sciences in addressing social problems and promoting social change.

Why Study Social Sciences?

Studying social sciences helps you develop critical thinking skills, understand complex social dynamics, and become an informed and engaged citizen. This course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to analyze societal issues and contribute to meaningful discussions and solutions.