The social sciences are a wide area of studies aimed at understanding how to functioning, development and organization of societies.
In the social sciences, all important aspects related to a society are studied: its origins, processes history, functioning, aspects of development, social transformations, conflicts, cultural characteristics and habits.
What is the area of study of the social sciences?
The social sciences work with investigation and research on the various aspects related to human behavior over time and how these behaviors can influence the structure of a society.
To understand how society works, in addition to studying current social phenomena, they are also studied the historical origins of society, the processes of development and the various behaviors humans.
It studies how the social aspects of a place influence and individualize the identity of a given society. Social events, individual and collective behaviors, people's identities, cultural, family and economic habits are researched.
The Three Areas of Study of Social Sciences
The social sciences encompass three different areas of study: anthropology, sociology and political science.
- Anthropology: studies the characteristics of society, such as cultural, religious, economic habits and family structures.
- Sociology: studies the functioning of social relationships between individuals who are part of a society.
- Political science: studies the functioning of politics, ideologies, government regimes and systems and the way in which power relations develop.
These areas of study, each with its particularities, seek to understand the different aspects to understand the differences in human reality within a given context. Social.
How important is the social sciences?
The existence of social sciences is important to help better understand the functioning of a society, its cultural diversity and the behavior of individuals, as beings who are part of a social group.
This is important to better interpret the different existing social realities, as well as to understand which moral and social values are part of a given social context. Likewise, social science studies are important for understanding historical cycles and social transformations that take place over time.
The results of these studies can be used for many purposes. For example: in the evaluation of government activities, in educational projects, in the implementation of public policies, in market research, in politics and in social projects.
Who is the social studies professional?
Anyone who has training in this area is called social scientist. This professional is responsible for the preparation of studies and research in social sciences.
The study of historical processes and changes and the analysis of the behavior of different social groups are part of the social scientist's work. Collecting data and researching the functioning of political institutions is also part of this professional's work.
A social scientist's job market can be quite extensive. In addition to being a researcher, he can also act as a speaker, consultant or advisor in various branches of society, both in the public and private spheres.
social science course
The course at the Faculty of Social Sciences lasts an average of four years and covers subjects from the three areas that are part of the social sciences: sociology, anthropology and political science.
Among other subjects, the course curriculum includes subjects such as geography, history, anthropology, economics, statistics, sociology, philosophy, politics and scientific methodology. The course also includes practical subjects that include field research and collection and analysis of databases.
The course can be taken with two different qualifications: bachelor's and licentiate's. The Bachelor of Social Sciences works primarily in the area of research, data analysis and consulting. The social science graduate, in addition to working with research, is also qualified to work with teaching in this area.
Difference between social sciences and humanities
Social sciences study the most varied aspects of society and the influence of human behavior in a given society. The human sciences, on the other hand, although they also study the human being, are more focused on their individual aspects, as is the case with psychology.
Therefore, the biggest difference between them is that the social sciences study human behavior as part of a collective, as a social being; while the human sciences study aspects of man that are more considered in their individuality.
The Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), which is the body responsible for higher education standards in Brazil, considers that many of the subjects studied in the social sciences course are part of the human sciences area, such as philosophy, history and sociology.
Thus, although they are considered to belong to different areas of knowledge, it is important to know that they are interdisciplinary areas and that, together, they study the numerous social aspects.
applied social sciences
Applied social sciences is a name for an area of knowledge, created by Capes.
According to the agency, courses such as administration are included in the area of applied social sciences, architecture and urbanism, librarianship, accounting science, social communication, law, social work, between others.
See also the meanings of Anthropology, political science, Sociology and Philosophy.
