Join with a free account for more service, or become a member for full access to exclusives and extra support of WorldSupporter >>
Social studies is a broad field that acts as a foundation for understanding the human experience in society. It integrates various disciplines to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be informed and engaged citizens.
What are the main features of social studies?
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Social studies draws upon history, economics, geography, civics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and even philosophy to create a comprehensive understanding of society.
- Focus on Citizenship: It emphasizes developing critical thinking skills, analyzing information, and fostering active participation in civic life.
- Understanding Change & Continuity: Social studies encourages looking at how societies have evolved over time while recognizing enduring patterns and structures.
- Multiple Perspectives: Studying diverse historical and contemporary perspectives broadens understanding of social issues and complexities.
What are important sub-areas in social studies?
- History: Explores the past, analyzing events, figures, and trends that shaped the world we live in today.
- Geography: Examines the relationship between humans and their physical environment, including spatial patterns and global issues.
- Civics & Government: Studies how governments function, different political systems, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
- Economics: Analyzes economic systems, production, distribution, and consumption of resources, and how they impact individuals and societies.
- Sociology: Examines social structures, institutions, and cultures, exploring how people interact and form groups.
- Psychology: Studies human behavior, thought processes, and social interactions.
What are key concepts in social studies?
- Citizenship: Understanding the rights, responsibilities, and ethical considerations of being a citizen in a democracy.
- Culture: Recognizing the diverse social practices, beliefs, and values that shape human societies.
- Power & Authority: Analyzing how power structures are formed, maintained, and challenged within societies.
- Economic Systems: Understanding different ways that societies organize production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
- Social Change: Recognizing the forces that drive social change and how societies adapt and evolve over time.
- Historical Context: Understanding events within the broader context of their time period for accurate interpretation.
Who are influential figures in social studies?
- Progressive Era Reformers: Early 20th-century educators who advocated for social studies as a way to prepare students for active citizenship.
- National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS): A professional organization that promotes excellence in social studies education.
- Howard Zinn: An American historian who focused on the experiences of marginalized groups and the importance of social justice in historical interpretation.
Why are social studies important?
- Informed Citizenship: Social studies equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to participate effectively in a democratic society.
- Critical Thinking Skills: It fosters the ability to analyze information, identify bias, and form well-supported arguments.
- Understanding Diversity: Social studies promotes understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and social realities.
- Problem-Solving Skills: By examining complex social issues, it equips students to think critically and seek solutions.
- Appreciate History: Understanding the past helps us learn from it and make informed decisions about the future.
How are social studies applied in practice?
- Education: Social studies are a core subject in K-12 education, providing students with a foundation for lifelong learning and civic engagement.
- Public Policy Development: Understanding social trends and historical context is crucial for informed policy decisions.
- Journalism & Media: Social studies provide context for analyzing current events and social issues.
- Community Development & Social Work: Understanding social structures and inequalities is crucial for addressing community challenges.
- International Relations: Social studies can help foster understanding and cooperation between cultures.
Society and culture: The best concepts summarized
Society and culture: The best concepts summarized
Table of contents
- Society
- Culture
- Religion
- Theology
- Spirituality
- Art
- Cultural sciences
- Cultural anthropology
- Ethnology
- History
- Modern world history
- Philosophy
- Social studies
- Social sciences
- Sociology
Society and culture - Theme
Summaries, study notes, internships, tips and tools for study and work in society and culture
- 1 of 32
- next ›
JoHo can really use your help! Check out the various student jobs here that match your studies, improve your competencies, strengthen your CV and contribute to a more tolerant world
Online access to all summaries, study notes en practice exams
- Check out: Register with JoHo WorldSupporter: starting page (EN)
- Check out: Aanmelden bij JoHo WorldSupporter - startpagina (NL)
How and why would you use WorldSupporter.org for your summaries and study assistance?
- For free use of many of the summaries and study aids provided or collected by your fellow students.
- For free use of many of the lecture and study group notes, exam questions and practice questions.
- For use of all exclusive summaries and study assistance for those who are member with JoHo WorldSupporter with online access
- For compiling your own materials and contributions with relevant study help
- For sharing and finding relevant and interesting summaries, documents, notes, blogs, tips, videos, discussions, activities, recipes, side jobs and more.
Using and finding summaries, study notes en practice exams on JoHo WorldSupporter
There are several ways to navigate the large amount of summaries, study notes en practice exams on JoHo WorldSupporter.
- Use the menu above every page to go to one of the main starting pages
- Starting pages: for some fields of study and some university curricula editors have created (start) magazines where customised selections of summaries are put together to smoothen navigation. When you have found a magazine of your likings, add that page to your favorites so you can easily go to that starting point directly from your profile during future visits. Below you will find some start magazines per field of study
- Use the topics and taxonomy terms
- The topics and taxonomy of the study and working fields gives you insight in the amount of summaries that are tagged by authors on specific subjects. This type of navigation can help find summaries that you could have missed when just using the search tools. Tags are organised per field of study and per study institution. Note: not all content is tagged thoroughly, so when this approach doesn't give the results you were looking for, please check the search tool as back up
- Check or follow your (study) organizations:
- by checking or using your study organizations you are likely to discover all relevant study materials.
- this option is only available trough partner organizations
- Check or follow authors or other WorldSupporters
- by following individual users, authors you are likely to discover more relevant study materials.
- Use the Search tools
- 'Quick & Easy'- not very elegant but the fastest way to find a specific summary of a book or study assistance with a specific course or subject.
- The search tool is also available at the bottom of most pages
Do you want to share your summaries with JoHo WorldSupporter and its visitors?
- Check out: Why and how to add a WorldSupporter contributions
- JoHo members: JoHo WorldSupporter members can share content directly and have access to all content: Join JoHo and become a JoHo member
- Non-members: When you are not a member you do not have full access, but if you want to share your own content with others you can fill out the contact form
Quicklinks to fields of study for summaries and study assistance
Field of study
- All studies for summaries, study assistance and working fields
- Communication & Media sciences
- Corporate & Organizational Sciences
- Cultural Studies & Humanities
- Economy & Economical sciences
- Education & Pedagogic Sciences
- Health & Medical Sciences
- IT & Exact sciences
- Law & Justice
- Nature & Environmental Sciences
- Psychology & Behavioral Sciences
- Public Administration & Social Sciences
- Science & Research
- Technical Sciences
Add new contribution