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DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES

Grade Level & Section: XII

Topic: Course Introduction (Applied Social Sciences)

SOCIAL SCIENCE

What is Social Science?

Social science is any branch of academic study or science that deals with human behaviour in its social and
cultural aspects. Usually included within the social sciences are cultural (or social) anthropology, sociology,
psychology, political science, and economics. The discipline of historiography is regarded by many as a social
science, and certain areas of historical study are almost indistinguishable from work done in the social
sciences. Most historians, however, consider history as one of the humanities. In the United States, focused
programs, such as African-American Studies, Latinx Studies, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, are, as a
rule, also included among the social sciences, as are often Latin American Studies and Middle Eastern Studies,
while, for instance, French, German, or Italian Studies are commonly associated with humanities. In the past,
Sovietology was always considered a social science discipline, in contrast to Russian Studies.

Beginning in the 1950s, the term behavioural sciences was often applied to the disciplines designated as the
social sciences. Those who favoured this term did so in part because these disciplines were thus brought
closer to some of the sciences, such as physical anthropology and physiological psychology, which also deal
with human behaviour.

Strictly speaking, the social sciences, as distinct and recognized academic disciplines, emerged only on the
cusp of the 20th century. But one must go back farther in time for the origins of some of their fundamental
ideas and objectives. In the largest sense, the origins go all the way back to the  ancient Greeks and their
rationalist inquiries into human nature, the state, and morality. The heritage of both Greece and Rome is a
powerful one in the history of social thought, as it is in other areas of Western society. Very probably, apart
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from the initial Greek determination to study all things in the spirit of dispassionate and rational inquiry, there
would be no social sciences today. True, there have been long periods of time, as during the Western  Middle
Ages, when the Greek rationalist temper was lacking. But the recovery of this temper, through texts of the
great classical philosophers, is the very essence of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment in modern
European history. With the Enlightenment, in the 17th and 18th centuries, one may begin.

Branches of Social Science:

Anthropology - Known as the 'science of humanity', anthropology covers a broad range of topics – from
human behaviour, to cultural relations, and how the evolution of humanity has influenced society's structure.
It's often described as being both scientific and humanistic, meaning it's well-suited for anyone looking to
indulge passions for both of these kinds of subject – and, whilst focusing on history to an extent, there's
plenty of chance to apply it in modern contexts too!

Archaeology - Whilst many people think of archaeologists as being like Indiana Jones, the truth is very
different – though no less interesting. Similar to anthropology in that archaeology is the study of humanity, it
relies much more on the material evidence left behind by cultures. There is excavation work, analysis and
surveying to be done. Europe's rich history – with the Roman Empire, the Vikings, and much more – means it
is a perfect place to study this.

Economics - Economics looks at the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. You can
choose to take a close view or a broad one, but in general, it comes down to looking at how the economic
systems of the world work. This knowledge can be applied both theoretically and practically, meaning the
subject is well suited for anyone interested in the current economic world.

Geography - Though many of us may remember geography as the subject at school that involved maps, it
goes beyond that – analysing population, the land itself, the relationship between the two and often linking to
the earth sciences (such as geology). At postgraduate level, you'll be able to specialise in a particular branch –
such as oceanology, environmental management or tourism geography.

History - History is a broad subject, encompassing large areas and time periods of the worlds. Whilst
postgraduate level study gives you a chance to specialise, you'll still be using similar skills – interpreting
sources, looking at current theories of the past, and assessing ideas against the available evidence. With
Europe's long, well-documented history, there's the chance to get to look at the places you're studying first
hand.

Law - Studying law will give you the opportunity to look at a variety of legal systems, and to focus on a
particular area – contract law, international law or criminal law, to name but a few. Doing further study in law
is especially useful if intending to go into it as a career, although it is possible to study it solely for academic
reasons. Visit LLMstudy.com for more information about studying law at a postgraduate level.

Linguistics - Linguistics is the study of language – looking at its form, context, or meaning. Rather than
learning to speak a particular language, it's more about how language itself works. Within linguistics, there is a
broad range of study, from looking at grammar, to language acquisition or the evolution of language. With the
EU having 23 official languages, and Europe itself having more than 60 indigenous regional and minority
languages, what better place to study linguistics?

Political Science - Politics affect every part of life, so it's no wonder it makes such a fascinating area of
study. Often broken up into Political Philosophy, Comparative Politics and International Relations, this subject
allows for studying both historical and current events. Again, this is a degree perfect for both those aiming for
a career in the area, or looking at it academically, and with the EU containing so many differing systems, it's a
fantastic place to study it.

Psychology - Both theoretical and experimental, psychology makes use of studying both social behaviour and
neurobiological processes. With such a broad area of study – the human mind – you'll specialise in particular
areas, perhaps child development, interpersonal relationships or social psychology. Europe has a long history
with psychology, thanks to Germany's involvement in its development, so in studying here you'll be joining a
long line of innovative scholars.

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Sociology - Sociology is the study of society, both on the individual and structural level. Covering topics such
as class, religion and social mobility, there's a broad range to choose to specialise in. Some sociologists work
solely for theoretical purposes, whilst others intend to use their findings in policies or welfare. In such a
multicultural continent as Europe, with its large variety of societies, you'll find plenty to study, and with the
amount of changes that have taken place in the past century, there'll definitely be an area to interest you.

APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCE

What is Applied Social Science?

Applied social science is the application of social science theories, concepts, methods, and findings to
problems identified in the wider society (D. Jary & J. Jary 2000). Using this understanding in the segmentation
of social science into distinct disciplines gives rise to the concepts of applied social sciences that include
counselling, social work, and communication.

In this typology, theories, concepts, methods, and findings of counselling define the counselling practice. The
same is true for social work and communication disciplines. However, this description of applied social science
minimizes or even omits the interdisciplinary aspect that is implicit to social science when it is applied. There
can be no social issue that is purely one-dimensional. Different disciplines within the field of social science
bring some unique dimensions to a better understanding of social phenomena. This means that applied social
sciences cannot afford to be fragmented. Essentially, it has to unify and cut across.

Applied social science is an integrated science cutting across ard transcending various social science disciplines
in addressing a wide range of issues in a contemporary, innovative, and dynamic way. It aims at presenting a
well-developed understanding of social systems, social theory, and social policy It integrates theory, social
research, skills and professional experience, and critical thinking skills necessary to fully address social
phenomena. Applied social science, therefore, is a broad field that draws on different social theories and
perspectives and combines theory and practice drawn from different social disciplines that highlight the
complexity of social issues.

Historically, social science knowledge has been compartmentalized into different disciplines, which until the
1990s and 2000s became apparent to many social critics as fragmenting rather than promoting the holistic
view and complexity of social reality. This view has advanced the position that it is best that these different
social science disciplines work together to produce a more effective and coherent insights on social issues
under one umbrella of applied science. In this sense, applied social science essentially reflects an
interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary view and approach to social issues, policy, and response.

The focus of applied social science is less fixed and allows for specialisms in other areas to provide
perspectives. It is very important to understand that applied social science is not an aggregation of various
specialized social science disciplines. It transcends individual specialized social science and finds its true
essence through active engagement with the larger society in action. It is praxis. In this work text, three of
the applied social sciences are emphasized to demonstrate how theories and concepts drawn from other
disciplines can be brought together to bear upon one discipline in applied sense: counselling, social work, and
communication.

Relationship between Social Sciences and Applied Social Sciences

As discussed above, social sciences are more specific and focused on a distinct facet of a social phenomenon
while applied social science attempts to focus on a distinct issue but use insights arising from various social
science disciplines. While social science may explore broadly their distinct disciplines, some of their input may
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easily become applied while others may remain theoretical. When social science theories, concepts, methods,
and findings gain application to problems identified in the wider society, then applied social science is
achieved.

Functions and Effects of Applied Social Sciences

 Social sciences are described as generators of knowledge about the social world to cause
understanding. Applied social sciences transcend this level though remain essentially providers of
focus. They cede their passive stage to embrace the active mode when they migrate into the applied
space. Therefore, the following may be considered functions and effects of applied social sciences.
 They generate knowledge in an organic wav for evidence-based actions and solutions to social
problems and issues. They provide learning feedback by simultaneously engaging the experts and the
stakeholders that form a social world.
 They cause social sciences to do things rather than just remain a source of factual knowledge with little
or no utility at all.
 They generate practical solutions to complex social problems.
 The provision of knowledge by social science becomes the moral basis for applied science to address
the issues m problems of society.
 Communication provides accessibility to information and thereby serves the rights of an individual and
the public to be informed and to he heard by their elders and communities.
 Counselling provides healing, courage, and strength for an individual to face his/her issues and take up
the best possible option in moments of life crises.
 The social work promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships, and the
empowerment and liberation of people to enhance their holistic well-being.

Public Perception of Social Sciences and Applied Social Science

Practitioners In the post-democratic era, social sciences are the myths of our time and applied science
practitioners have become the mythmakers. This perception is generally based on facts such as how, through
media communication and research, social sciences create phenomena that result to an emergence of the
sense of new ways of describing and acting that have ended up producing all sorts of effects including such
political renewals as Arab spring, EDSA, Green Revolution, and so forth. Candidates in political processes

understand too well how polls, opinion columns, and even debates can make or unmake a candidate and
his/her chances of winning. The candidates’ performance in polls generally affects how undecided voters come
to a decision or frame candidates. Using various tools, the social sciences are capable and do create their
phenomena through the procedures that are established to discover such phenomena. In general, the social
sciences have played a key role in the creation of opinionated persons and an opinionated society on almost all
issues of public interest.

In some areas, however, the public has developed a skeptical attitude toward social sciences and applied
social sciences practitioners largely due to their inability to provide formidable solutions to social problems.
Other perceptions tend to be discipline-specific as how people view counsellors, social workers, and media. In
some societies like the Philippines, people rarely present themselves a counsellor unless they are heavily
compelled to do so, while in some counts. it is very much part of a professional service that people would
voluntarily seek for their own health. Media tend to be perceived as biased and in certain moments, confusing
and therefore unreliable, Social work has been perceived as purely distributors of goods during calamities and
social welfare.

Activity

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Gov’t Recognition No. 001 s. 2015 (Junior High School) I Gov’t Permit No. 062 s. 2021 (Senior High School)
Instruction: (Venn diagram) Give the similarities and differences of Social science and Applied Science.

Rubrics:
4 3 2 1
Concept Each section of the Each section of the Each section of the Each section of the
Arrangement diagram contains diagram contains diagram contains two diagram contains
four facts easily three facts easily facts that are somewhat very few facts that
identified.. identified. identified. are not easily
identified

Linking Content Reflects factual Most of the Reflects some factual Contains non factual
together information that Information is factual information and information that
corresponds with and seemingly attempts to put it in does not correspond
appropriate section of corresponds with corresponding section of to the appropriate
diagram. appropriate section of diagram. section of diagram
diagram.

Social Science Applied Social Science

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Gov’t Recognition No. 001 s. 2015 (Junior High School) I Gov’t Permit No. 062 s. 2021 (Senior High School)