The Social Sciences:

Sociology, Anthropology, and

Political Science
Anthropology
Etymological Definition

Anthropology = Anthropos (man

or human being) + logos (study).

= “the study of human being”

Operational Definition

Anthropology- defines itself

as a discipline of infinite
curiosity about humankind- of
ancient and modern people and
their ways of living.
Anthropology
- the science that deals with
the origins, physical and
cultural development,
biological characteristics, and
social customs and beliefs of
humankind.
 Etymological Definition

Sociology – was derived from two

languages; these are socius (Latin) which
means companion, associate, partner or mate
and logos or logus (Greek) which means to
study.

• Socius + logos = Sociology = study of

society.
 Operational Definition

Sociology is that systematic study of

social life and behavior, especially in
relation to social systems- how they
work, how they, change, and the
consequences they produce, and their
complex relation to people’s lives
(Johnson, 1996)
Operational Definition

Political science is a social

science discipline that deals with
systems of government, and the
analysis of political activity and
political behavior.
What are the differences
between the two?

Anthropology
vs.
Sociology
Anthropology Sociology
- Origin, material
- Nonmaterial culture,
culture, artifacts,
human inter-action,
fossils
society

Man
 Anthropology Sociology
- Nonmaterial culture,
- Origin, material culture,
artifacts, fossils human inter-action, society

Man

Political Science
- state, nation, government, power,
authority etc.
 Sociology
Anthropology - Nonmaterial culture,
- Origin, material culture, human inter-action,
artifacts, fossils society

Man

Political Science
- state, nation, government, power,
auhtority..etc.
Subjects of Inquiry and
Goals of Anthropology,
Sociology and
Political Science
ANTHROPOLOGY
 It includes topics such as human origin,
globalization, social change, and world
history.

 It is the study of humankind in all times and all

places.

 It is the study of humanity including our

prehistoric origins and contemporary human
diversity.
GOALS
ANTHROPOLOGY
 Discover what makes people different from
one another in order to understand and
preserve diversity

 Look at one’s own culture more objectively

like an outsider – It aims to make “the
strange familiar and the familiar strange.”
FIELDS
ANTHROPOLOGY
 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Refers to the study of living people and
their cultures including variation and
change.

 LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY
Refers to the study of communication
 ARCHAEOLOGY
Refers to the study of past human
cultures through their material remains.

 BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Refers to the study of humans as
biological organisms including their
evolution and contemporary variation.
SOCIOLOGY
THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF SOCIOLOGY
ENABLES US TO:

 Obtain possible theories and principles about

society as well as various aspects of social life;

 Critically study the nature of humanity, which

also leads to examining our roles within the
society;
Broaden our familiarity on
sociological facts, which are
acquired through empirical process.

Expose our minds to the different

perspectives on attaining the truth.
BRANCHES
SOCIOLOGY
 SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
This includes the study of social institutions,
social inequality, social mobility, religious
groups, and bureaucracy.

 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
This area focuses on the study of human
nature and its emphasis on social processes.
 APPLIED SOCIOLOGY
This is concerned with the specific intent of
yielding practical applications for human
behavior and organizations.

 POPULATION STUDIES
This area includes size, growth, and
demographic characteristics
 APPLIED SOCIOLOGY
This is concerned with the specific intent of
yielding practical applications for human
behavior and organizations.

 POPULATION STUDIES
This area includes size, growth, and
demographic characteristics
POLITICAL SCIENCE
 It is an academic discipline that deals with the
study of government and political processes,
institutions, and behaviors

 It is a study of the complex behavior of various

political actors such as the government
administration, opposition, and subjects.

 It is the systematic study of political and

government institutions and processes
QUIZ #2