Introduction to Social Science

• Social science is the study of society and the relationships among individuals within a society.
• It has many branches, each of which studies a particular area of human social behavior.
• These branches include but are not limited to anthropology, economics, political science, psychology and sociology.

Anthropology

• Anthropology studies humans and their societies in the past and present.
• Cultural anthropology studies the organization of human social life, particularly concentrating on systems of meaning.
• It explores culture by studying different aspects such as values, ideas, symbols, language, and material objects.
• Biological anthropology studies the biological and behavioral aspects of humans, their extinct hominin ancestors, and related non-human primates.
• Linguistic anthropology studies the role of language in social life.
• Archaeology studies human history and prehistory by excavating sites and analyzing artifacts and other physical remains.

Economics

• Economics studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
• Microeconomics focuses on the behavior of individuals, households, and firms in making decisions on the allocation of limited resources.
• It typically applies to markets where goods or services are being bought and sold.
• Microeconomics examines how these entities interact to form larger markets and economic systems.
• Macroeconomics studies the behavior of the economy as a whole.
• It focuses on aggregate variables such as GDP, inflation, and unemployment.
• Macroeconomics analyzes the effects of government policies on economic growth and stability.
• Econometrics uses statistical methods to analyze economic data and test economic theories.

Political science

• Political science studies the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior.
• It examines the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
• Political theory explores the philosophical foundations of political ideas and ideologies.
• Comparative politics compares and analyzes different political systems across countries.
• International relations studies the interactions between states and other actors in the global arena.
• Public administration examines the implementation of government policies and programs.

Psychology

• Psychology studies the human mind and behavior.
• Biological psychology explores the relationship between brain and behavior.
• Cognitive psychology studies mental processes such as memory, perception, and problem-solving.
• Developmental psychology examines the changes that occur across the lifespan.
• Social psychology studies how individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations.
• Clinical psychology focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.

Sociology

• Sociology studies social behavior, social structures, and social change.
• It investigates the organization of social life and the ways in which people interact with each other.
• Social stratification examines inequalities in wealth, power, and prestige.
• Social movements studies collective action aimed at bringing about or resisting social change.
• Criminology studies crime and criminal behavior.
• Demography studies population size, composition, and change.

History

• History is the study of the past, particularly human past.
• It involves examining, analyzing, and interpreting past events.
• It connects the past with the present, providing context for understanding current events.
• Political history focuses on the study of political events, leaders, movements, and institutions.
• It examines the evolution of governments, ideologies, and power structures.
• Social history focuses on the experiences of ordinary people and social structures.
• It looks at topics such as class, gender, race, and family.
• Economic history studies the development of economies and economic systems.
• It examines topics such as trade, industry, agriculture, and finance.
• Cultural history explores the cultural aspects of the past, such as art, music, literature, and ideas.
• Diplomatic history studies the relations between nations, including treaties, wars, and alliances.
• Military history focuses on warfare, military strategies, and the impact of war on societies.
• Intellectual history studies the history of ideas and thinkers.
• Environmental history explores the relationship between humans and the natural environment in the past.
• Oral history involves collecting and analyzing spoken memories and personal experiences of the past.
• Quantitative history uses statistical methods to analyze historical data.
• Historiography is the study of how history has been written and interpreted over time.
• It examines the biases and perspectives that have shaped historical narratives.

Social science is the study of society and human relationships. It includes anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology. Anthropology studies humans, economics focuses on production and distribution of resources.