Lesson 3

Definition and goals of

Anthropology , Sociology
and
politics
 WHAT ARE THE NATURE, GOALS, AND PERSPECTIVES
ON/OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND POLITICAL
SCIENCE?

Anthropology is a social Political science is a social

Sociology is a social science
science that studies science that studies the
that studies human social
human societies, cultures, theory and practice of politics
behavior, relationships, and and government. Its goals
and their development. Its
institutions. Its goals include include understanding the
goals include
understanding the social ways in which power is
understanding the
structures and processes that distributed and exercised, and
diversity of human
shape individual behavior and how political systems and
experience and the institutions function.
collective outcomes.
processes that shape it.
• All three of these disciplines share the goal of understanding human
behavior and society, but they focus on different aspects of it. Anthropology
focuses on cultural diversity and the historical development of human
societies, sociology focuses on social structures and processes, and political
science focuses on politics and government. They also have different
perspectives, with anthropology focusing on cultural relativism, sociology
focusing on structural functionalism, and political science focusing on
institutional analysis.
 ANTHROPOLOGY

• Anthropology is a fascinating field of study that focuses on understanding human beings in

all their diversity – from their biological origins to their cultural practices and social
interactions. It explores the past, present, and future of human societies and seeks to
answer fundamental questions about what it means to be human.
Anthropology is typically divided into four subfields:
cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology.
 SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is the scientific study of society, human behavior, and social interactions. It seeks to
understand how individuals and groups are influenced by social structures, cultural norms,
and various social forces.

• Sociologists explore a wide range of topics, including social inequality, race and ethnicity,
gender and sexuality, family dynamics, education, crime and deviance, health and mental
illness, politics and social movements, and many others. Through their research,
sociologists aim to uncover social patterns, examine social institutions, and comprehend
how societies function and change over time.
 POLITICS

Politics is the study of power, governance, and decision-making within a

society. It encompasses the processes and structures by which individuals and
groups influence and shape public policies, laws, and institutions.

• Politics plays a crucial role in how societies are organized and governed. It
involves the distribution and exercise of power, the negotiation of conflicting
interests, and the management of collective resources and responsibilities.
Political systems can vary greatly, encompassing democracies, autocracies,
monarchies, and various other forms of government.
 WHY THERE’S A CHANGE?

• Social change : Abolition of slavery, industrial

evolution
• Political change: Democracy, federalism, Political
dynasty
• Cultural change : Texting, food taboos,
immigration
THANK YOU EVERYONE