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What is the difference between social science and social studies?

Social studies and social science can be easy to confuse. The two terms are very
similar and deal with some of the same subject matter. However, there are some key
differences which distinguish the two terms so that they cannot be used
interchangeably.

The main difference between social science and social studies is in their intended
purposes. The social sciences are branches of study that analyze society and the social
interactions of people within a society. Subjects that fall under the umbrella of social
sciences are: anthropology, history, economics, geography, and many others that
explore societal relations. Social science classes are most frequently taught to college-
age students.

Social studies is a subject most frequently taught to K-12 students to help them
understand how to be effective citizens of society. This is done by analyzing subjects
that fall under both the social sciences and the humanities, including art, literature,
religion, and other similar topics.

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Difference Between Social Science and Social Studies


August 20, 2015 by Hasa

Though Social science and social studies sound like two similar concepts, they are
in actuality, two different fields of study. In this article, we are going to look at the
difference between social science and social studies.

What is Social Science?


Social Science is a subject area that studies the society and the relationships among
individuals within a society. Social Science is categorized into many branches such
as Geography (study of the earth and its features, inhabitants, and phenomena),
Anthropology (study of humans), History (study of past), Economics(study of 
production, distribution and consumption of goods and services), political
science(study of theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of
political systems and political behavior.) etc. The beginning of Social Sciences dates
back to the 18th century.  Social Science can be defined as a scientific study field
since almost all the sub-disciplines use scientific methods to investigate facts.
What is Social Studies?
Social studies can be introduced as the study of both social sciences and
humanities. According to U.S American National Council for the Social Studies,
“Social studies, is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to
promote civic competence.”  However, social studies is most often used as a name
of the course taught at schools. Social studies is a relatively new term and came
into use in the 20th Century.

What is the difference between Social Science and Social studies?


As discussed above, the main difference between social science and social studies
exist in their purpose; in social science, you study the society and social life of
human groups while in social studies, you study both social science and humanities
in order to promote effective citizenry. Another difference is that Social science is
divided into many branches while social studies is divided into two main categories
of humanities and social sciences. Though social studies is a subject that is taught
from primary school onward, social science is only available as a degree level
course. In addition, social studies is a relatively new term while social science dates
back to the 18th century.

Compariso
n             Social Science           Social studies

Studying the society and its


Purpose individuals promoting civic competence

History Dates back to Age of Enlightenment Dates back to 20th Century

Social science and


Branches Many branches Humanities
 
Reference:                                                                                                                                  
  http://www.socialstudies.org/about

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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES


Introduction: 
Social studies and social science can be easy to confuse. Though Social they are
sounds like two similar concepts, and deal with some of the same subject matter. They
are two different fields of study. However, there are some key differences which
distinguish the two terms so that they cannot be used interchangeably. In this article, we
are going to look at the difference between social science and social studies. 

What is Social Science? 


Social Science is a subject area that studies the society and the relationships among
individuals within a society. Social Science is categorized into many branches such as
Geography (study of the earth and its features, inhabitants, and phenomena),
Anthropology (study of humans), History (study of past), Economics (study of
production, distribution and consumption of goods and services), political science(study
of theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems
and political behavior.) etc. 

What is Social Studies? 


Social studies can be introduced as the study of both social sciences and humanities.
According to U.S American National Council for the Social Studies, “Social studies, is
the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic
competence.” However, social studies is most often used as a name of the course
taught at schools. 

What are the difference between Social Science 


and Social studies? 

1. The main difference between social science and social studies is in their intended
purposes. The social sciences are branches of study that analyze society and the social
interactions of people within a society. Subjects that fall under the umbrella of social
sciences are: anthropology, history, economics, geography, and many others that
explore societal relations. 
Social studies is the systematic study of an integrated body of content drawn from the
social sciences and the humanities. It enables students to develop their knowledge and
understandings of the diverse and dynamic nature of society and of how interactions
occur among cultures, societies, and environments. 

2. Social science is more streams oriented. It's the science of the society; the in depth
knowledge and systematic study of each branch of social transaction. It is empirical and
based on various scientific methods of deduction to arrive at a conclusion based on
facts. 
Social studies is the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote
effective citizenry. Social studies are subjects most frequently taught to school students
to help them understand how to be effective citizens of society. 

3. Social Science, as the name implies, deals with the science of society utilizing the
gathering of data and analysis of that data. Whereas Social Studies normally deals with
the observation of Society. Here students develop and apply skills as they investigate
society, explore issues, make decisions, and work cooperatively with others. 

4. Social sciences are taught under higher studies curriculum whereas, social studies
are subjects most frequently taught to school based students to help them understand
how to be effective citizens of society. 

5. The core difference between social science and social studies exist in their purpose;
in social science, you study the society and social life of human groups while in social
studies, you study both social science and humanities in order to promote effective
citizenry. 

6. Social Studies is the study of all phases of societies whereas Social Science is the
inference of those studies with the intention of solving problems within a society, which
may lead to the ultimate development of the society as a whole. 
7. Social science is the field of sciences concerned with the studies of the social life of
human groups and individuals. Social studies is a term used to describe the broad study
of various fields which involves past and current human behavior and interactions 

8. Another difference is that Social science is divided into many branches while social
studies is divided into two main categories of humanities and social sciences. 

9. Social science dates back to the 18th century while social studies is a relatively new
term. 

Conclusion: 
We can conclude therefore that even though social studies make use of social science
disciplines, it has different orientation. The study of social studies should remain an
integral part of the educational system at all levels. We conclude that if the social
studies and social sciences did not permeate and cooperate with each other in the long
run human beings and society would fail to develop smoothly.

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