NATURE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
A unique combination of various disciplines.
Interdisciplinary Nature: Social Science, while a distinct subject, harmoniously blends various disciplines such as History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Law, Literature, Art, and Education.
Integrated Information: It gathers interrelated information from these diverse fields and integrates them meaningfully.
Holistic Understanding: This integration provides new insights into the complete nature of social life.
Guidance for Learning: To achieve this harmonious blend, learners must be guided through reflective thinking, inquiry, hypothesis formation, verification, and generalization.
Mastering Learning Strategies: Essentially, students need to master the "strategy for learning to learn," which leads to metacognition.
Claim to be a Science: Only by adopting these scientific learning approaches can Social Science truly be considered a "real Science”
A study of human relationships:
It is the study of man and his relationship with other human beings and his environment.
It deals with individuals for the purpose of securing additional light on the larger social relations, classes, groups, institutions, traditions, organisations, etc.
Scientific analysis and integration of these relationships are needed for a complete view.
A study of man's development through ages:
It offers a comprehensive study of man's progress in each period; how he succeeded in his attempts; why he failed: what are the unique contribution of man who lived at various ages of human history for human development and the like.
Aims at preparing the learner for wholesome social living:
By understanding and analysing the subject matter the learner imbibes some essential knowledge of his social environment.
It may enrich his intellectual and social skills helpful to lend a purposeful and successful adult life.
The study of Social Science gives the child a spatial (related to place and locality) and temporal (related to time and age) understanding and awareness. Such an awareness too necessitates scientific approaches in learning.
A realistic course of study: Social Science
Social Science shows students real-life situations.
To understand these well, students need to deeply study many social problems, how things work in society, and various events.
Students can also learn important values like working together and relying on each other.
Therefore, the goals of learning Social Science are similar to the overall goals of education.
This means a problem-solving approach is needed, as well as linking different ideas (like concepts, rules, and processes) to real-world situations.
It forms an important part of the core-curriculum: Social Science is considered
Social Science is a vital part of basic education.
It provides the insights and skills needed for a good life for everyone.
This essential knowledge is required by all students, including those focused on Math or Science.
It includes commitment to action:
Social Science helps students become informed citizens.
They learn to actively and constructively participate in society.
Its content teaches students how individuals and groups can take action as informed citizens in a democracy.
A Social Science teacher guides students to participate in activities within the classroom, school, and community.
This ability to take action comes more from how Social Science is learned than just what is learned.
Real action comes from an integrated way of living, not just from having knowledge.
