What Is Social Science Education?
Social science education is the study of humanity using scientific methods. Social science classes include classes in the subjects of history, economics, government, sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, cultural studies, criminology, linguistics, mass communication and development studies. Social sciences are taught to help us better understand human behavior and to help people become responsible citizens that are committed to the values of a democracy.
Other People Are Reading
-
Identification
-
Social scientists observe, describe and explain society. Social science education prepares students to understand and deal with society and the parts of the world they are not familiar with. History is the social science that teaches what people did in the past that caused later events and led to conditions that occur today. Students learn the history of society, language, different cultures, religion and politics in order to become a responsible, civic-minded citizen of the world.
Curriculum Goals
-
Social science curriculum goals are to teach young people to participate as citizens in their community, help them commit to the values of democracy, and to build thinking skills and knowledge. It helps them learn more about the world and provides understanding of different types of culture and humanity as a whole. Social science studies should help students understand and take on the responsibilities of being a good citizen, prepare them for several career paths and help them develop the ability to make informed decisions.
-
Methods
-
The National Council for Social Studies encourages teachers to emphasize skills during social science lessons that help students excel in a world that constantly changes. This requires using communication, critical thinking, up-to-date technology and media. Teachers can do this by combining social science methods with technology to gather, interpret and analyze information.
Social Science Classes
-
Classes in the social science discipline include the study of past known events (history), the study of human life and culture (anthropology), the scientific study of social relations and group life (sociology), and the scientific study of behavior and the mind (psychology). Political science is the study of politics, linguistics is the study of language, civics is the study of citizens' rights and duties, and economics is the study of the production, distribution and use of goods and services. Government is the study of the leaders and controllers of a political unit's public policy, and criminology is the scientific study of criminal behavior.
Social Science Careers
-
A college major in social science education is designed to prepare students to become social studies teachers. Some students who major in social sciences continue taking college courses to become a school counselor, school psychologist or an administrator. Others work toward advanced degrees in law, literacy, special education or curriculum and instruction. A social science student might become a social worker, diplomat, lawyer or politician.
-
References
- Photo Credit Children at lake shore image by Marzanna Syncerz from Fotolia.com
