1. Social Studies
Of or relating to human society and the welfare of humans as members of society.
Created by Karen Rouse
West Sylvan Middle School, Portland Public Schools
September 2003

2. Social Studies History Geography Sociology Political Science
Of or relating to human society and the welfare of humans as members of society.
Political Science
Anthropology
Economics
Psychology

3. History Studies the past (at least 20 years ago!).
Looks at the causes and effects of events.
Tracks what changes and what stays the same (change and continuity).
History locates events in time.
Historians work with records – primary and secondary documents.
Mansa Musa ruled the Mali empire in Western Africa from He traveled 3500 miles to the holy city of Mecca in According to legend, traveled with 50,000 people slaves carried golden staffs camels loades with 100 pounds of gold dust. This journey literally put Mali on the European maps…
BookofDays2.html

4. Geography 5 themes of geography Location – where is it?
Place, regions, landscapes – what is it like there?
Human systems - how do people, goods and ideas move from place to place?
Environment and society – how do people interact with the physical environment?
Uses of geography – how does geography help us interpret the past, understand the present and predict the future?

5. Political Science
Political scientists strive to understand political / government systems. They study the past, bring it into present and predict the future.
Political systems include:
Queen Elizabeth 1, queen of England and British territories from She cooperated with the English parliament. Her reign is known as the Elizabethan Age – when the Renaissance finally flourished in England.
Anarchy
Theocracy
Monarchy
Democracy
Dictatorship
Representative democracy
oligarchy

6. Political Science What is the best form of government? Why?
officialanarchy.iwarp.com/
gallery.html
GraphicArt_38_00027.htm
cynicism.htm
monarchs/boleyn.html
photo/hitler.html

7. Economics
How do individuals and societies choose to use the scarce resources available?
Scarcity
Choice
Supply & demand
Opportunity cost

8. Economics United States China How do these images reflect Choice
How do these images reflect
Choice
Scarcity
Supply and demand
Opportunity cost

9. Psychology The study of individual behavior Individual identity:
Who am I?
Where do I fit?
What do I want?

10. Anthropology Asks: what is culture?
Anthropologists role is to describe what she or he observes without judgement.
Emic – insider’s perspective
The Maasai are famous throughout the world as a strong indigenous African culture. They are known for their cattle culture and nomadic way of life. Yet the Maasai are the custodians of some of the world's most beautiful game reserves, the Maasai Mara being probably the most famous. How do the modern Maasai manage their domestic and wild herds?
The Masai are a very famous warrior tribe in Kenya whose lives center around herding cattle. ... The Masai believe the blood makes them very strong.
features/masai.htm
The Masai are a famous warrior tribe in Kenya whose lives center around herding cattle. The Masai believe the blood makes them very strong.

11. Sociology
What are the relationships between, among and within groups within one society?
How do people acquire social status in groups?
Groups operate through NORMS, and NORMS are kept steady through SANCTIONS.
Social Institutions in all societies: Family, education, religion, government, economy
Sociologist’s role is to analyze the relationships and make recommendations.
Etic – outsider’s perspective

12. Sociology
In your table groups, brainstorm the social groups at this school.
Choose one group to focus on.
What are the norms for this group?
What are the sanctions used to keep members “in line”?