2. What is Social Studies?

3. 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.

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

5. The focus of social studies is for you to learn how to understand, interpret, and live in your world.

6. 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!

8. 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!

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.)

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

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