Many of people remember taking history in school as one of their first social science classes. However, there are many fields beyond this. Economics, geography, law, and political science are just a few which are involved in our everyday lives.
Often students find there is at least one of these areas interesting and further their studies towards a career. Studying online is particularly flexible since working classes into your daily schedule can be an easier option than attending classes at a traditional school. Some enthusiasts may not choose a career in social science but enjoy the study of a specific area, as the reading can be highly interesting.
Anthropology
There are many areas intertwined into anthropology including humans, animals, language, and history to name a few. There are quite a few different sub-categories to anthropology as well to cover each of these topics.
- Social Science Exercises
Research on narrative identity processing gives new insight to social science. With social science being so complex, it may be safe to say that it is nothing more than a rhetorical exercise to be reconfigured each time life evolves.
- Green Anthropology
A discussion behind the impacts of growing bamboo as a resource and recycling what already exists. Is bamboo a better resource considering that it must be cultivated? Instead, does society stop producing new materials to recycle what already exists?
- Linguistic Anthropology
An article by the New York Times sparks and interesting discussion of Whoof’s theory behind linguistics. Does his theory ring true? Is it possible that the language of a society can determine the thinking of its people?
- Animals and Animality Conference
A two-day conference held at The Queen’s University with interactive workshops and an exhibit named Just Act Natural which features artwork with interpretations of human to animal and animal to animal relationships.
- Ethnographies and Novels
An anthropologist dissects the discrepancies between ethnographies and novels as he assigns his class work. Although it may be confusing, this discussion raises many questions to distinguish the grey areas of categorization with sub-categorizations.
- Writing Dissertations
Anthropologist and historian Alan Macfarlane discusses writing dissertations in a video
interview. After a lifetime of work, Macfarlane explains how to make the best approach to taking on any long-term project and working through it with a successful end.
- Animals and Social Sciences
Critical studies of animals throughout social science and humanities. A participant’s account and opinions of the Animals and Animality Conference held in Ontario.
- Scientific Possibilities
An intriguing look at the relations between science and historical materialism. This blog offers interesting vies on transcendental materialism and speculative realism shared by three authors, each with individual blogs exploring even more ideals.
- Research VS Teaching
Deciding which choice is more important to social science. Without the teaching the students cannot base research and without research students cannot teach. It is a dilemma a sociology professor faces while attempting to create an enriched course for his own class.
- A Closer Look at the Genetics of Vlax Roma
A genealogic breakdown of the Vlax Roma’s Y chromosome and the cultures in which it inhabits now. This site offers excellent data and resource materials as well as genecology databases to those looking for more on genecology.
Pioneers in Social Science
A great many people have made significant contributions to social science. While only a few have had the privilege to win a Nobel Prize in their respected field, many have lived incredible lives which shows in the work they have done.
- Alva Myrdal Biography
A closer look into the life of an early Swedish woman pioneer in social sciences. This impressive woman was leagues ahead of her time in academics as well as political interests eventually elected to the Swedish Parliament from 1962 to 1973.
- Julián Marías
A look into the life and work of this Spanish philosopher. Author of the book “Metaphysical Anthropology”, Marías showed that he was much more than a student of Ortega y Gasset but indeed was a true spirit embodied only biologically.
- Thomas Schelling
A look into the classics of international relations, theory, and foreign policy. Thomas Schelling becomes a Nobel Prize recipient for his work with game-theory analysis and comes under fire from past experiences possibly aiding the doom of the Vietnam War.
- The Social Science Blog
With a look of sociology and the environment, this article details many pioneers in this area including Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx. Find out where history has brought environmental sociology and the trials the field has gone through.
- Anthropology.net
Pioneer Lewis Henry Morgan inspires one anthropologist to investigate American Indian kinship. Author German Valentinovich Dziebel describes how he mimicked Morgan’s footsteps in researching kinship and the relations of Native American structures on Old World kinship-structures.
- American Ethnography Quasiweekly
The obituary of Robert H. Lowe. Learn about the extraordinary life of this ethnologist and his birth in Vienna, his passion for literature, and his many contributions. This article includes an impressive timeline of Lowe’s life and the site carries a wealth of information.
Sociology
Studying social structures is not exactly easy given the different variables in a given society. Discipline is crucial in this field, and as with anthropology, sociology covers a broad spectrum of categories and sub-categories.
- Social Mining
A detailed look at the social impact of mining in Australia. Download a 60-page report and learn how the mining industry affects Australia, the land and its people. The report also consists of workshops, maps, and gap analysis.
- Social Science and Policy
The controversy behind creating policy from social science. Many believe that social science should hold no part in policy making while others dispute that idea completely. Read more about the ongoing debate as social science continues to cross over into the political world.
- Implementing Science in Area Studies
Understanding the relationship between area and social studies. Social scientists are able to provide more specific research to area specialists although they cannot formulate comprehensive theories. Balance between all areas of science is needed to produce the most accurate picture behind the study as a whole.
- Redefining “Society”: Take a look into the literal and modern day definitions of the concept.
Currently there seem to be two definitions of “society”, the literal location of the group and the state of the nation. See what effect this has on anthropology.
- Reading List
A list of interesting reading from an anthropologist and assistant professor of Wayne State University. A number of books compiled as a course outline can become interesting reading for the hobbyist while students can get ahead in their studies.
- Designing a Playground
The outcome of a research studying children and their approach to building a play area. Scientists offer children the chance to design their own playground with the expectation that they would see their creativity. Instead they find that the children’s dynamics and analytics played a larger role.
- Breaking Down Complexity
Understanding complexity science and the researchers who employ it. Too often the guidelines set while performing research become blurred after the study is revealed. A call for researchers to set clear definitions of their guidelines is made to better the understanding of their research.
- A Twist on Sociology
Space and socialism with an entertaining twist. Look into the fundamentals behind the colonization of outer space theory with a side by side discussion of future and past events.
- Poverty and Equality
The impact of poverty in both social and financial aspects of society. Studies have shown future generations to be impacted by the circumstances in which they were raised. How does this affect the future of societies?
Statistics
Much of society today hears statistics but rarely does the everyday person realize what goes into collecting the data to present the numbers. People benefit from this field in everyday life although not everybody needs to be a mathematician to understand it.
- A Closer Look at Studies
A discussion about the grey areas of statistics and the studies they are based on. While science is primarily based on facts and study and statistics are supposed to be cold facts, the fact is that there are too many grey lines through the studies, which the statistics are based upon.
- Zero Anthropology
An intriguing article showing the statistics of women’s interest in anthropology in Canada. Since 1998, the decline and rise in women choosing anthropology as a possible career choice shows females are no longer lacking in the world of science. This site poses and interesting view of past and current cultures, which was created by a professor of anthropology in Canada.
- The Meaning of Symbols
A look at how reusing symbols crosses cultural barriers and gives new definition. Different cultures recycle symbols giving them new meaning. A problem with this is occurs when a symbol is defined as a negative and re-used toward something positive or neutral.
- Mathematical Sociology
Find out what to expect with a peek at the schedules of the conference held by the ASA on statistics, sequence data, reflective behavior and more. If you are a mathematician, this is the blog for you as it is operated by the Mathematical Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association.
- Are You Likely to Protest?
Alan Schussman’s study of statistical insight into the likelihood of individual protestors. Read how two researchers used surveys with American participation to formulate the probability of people taking part is protests.
- Marriage and Social Science
How different styles of arguing can predict the future of your relationship. Of course there are toxic relationships but how much is too much negativity? What are the odds of a couple staying together who quarrel on a regular basis?
International and Religion Social Science
Aside from history and some geography, this is what many people remember studying in class. It is always interesting to learn about religions, societies, and international events and the student will often have a way to implement what they have learned into their own life.
- The Anthropology of Islam
Gabriele Marranci shares an expert of his book on the Islam and anthropology. Read a conversation between teacher and student deconstructing anthropology.
- The Burden of Black Religion
A review of Curtis J. Evan’s book over viewing the history of misunderstanding of African American religion. Understanding the misconceptions of the history of biased views on black religion.
- Social Science in Africa
Underfunding can’t stop education. With the extreme lack of resources in Africa, research centers decline and so-called networks raise producing apprehension in the science community.
- Ecuador’s Corruption
An anthropological perspective to societies and their police forces. See how authorities around the world are given more power as the governing forces overlook the abuse.
- Religious Hypocrisy
A deeper look into the religious hypocrisy of society. This is an account of the confusion everyday Muslims may find themselves caught up in as each society they consider themselves belonging to tends to condemn one another.
- Ethnology in Australia
A personal brief on the AoiR conference on internet research. Apparently diversity was not something much to see at this conference and there are some and lows, but it is an interesting read from an insider’s point of view.
- The Complexity of Illegal Immigration and Homelessness
Medical anthropologists, scholars, and activists share their research and experiences with unauthorized immigration. This blog is a wealth of stories and situations where a double standard of illegal immigration has been used. As controversial of a subject as it may be, put aside your personal views and read the facts behind some of the inequalities they face.
- Socialization and Children
Learn how social class categorization can aid or hinder communication within the family and effect children. It is commonly known that a social class repeats itself within families. The lower level classes face more hardships thus instituting pressure and stress on the families involved; see how this affects the children within those units.
- A Father’s Rights
Fathers create a movement similar to that of women, in declaring their paternal rights. It is often that fathers retain custody of their children but not as widely known as single mothers. This article offers resources and information surrounding the growth of this situation.
“Social” Science
“New Media” is more apparent than ever with the use of the Internet, Smartphones, and other technology gadgets. Social networking is not only fun but scientists are finding it an easy way to conduct research and integrate learning tools into the classroom.
- Anthropology and Youtube
The combination of social science and social media. Based on his digital ethnography students and speech at the Library of Congress, Michael Wesch presents a look at his course available to anyone interested on YouTube.
- E-workshop on media and digital anthropology
A firsthand look at how society depends on technology and the
impact resulting from it. Sign up for the informal e-workshop based upon conversations from the EASA conference on media anthropology and digital anthropology.
- Self Expression Through Social Media
Resources for academics who choose online venues to share their ideals. David Brake seeks resources to enhance his presentation combining theory with social media and its benefits.
- The Future of Sociological Research
Exploring how technology can be implemented in research. The author of this blog tests his theories using Smartphones and social networks to bring interest and time closer to his students.
- New Media and Sociology
The term “evergreen” turns brown as new media takes hold. Social media has changed the landscape of media as a whole and the thought of “reference materials” starts to dwindle. With media constantly evolving and designed to suit the consumer, longstanding outlets scramble to make the switch.
Economics
Economics is often times what defines the rise and fall of societies and is quite a controversial subject to many. There is a great deal of debate whether or not this is an actual science but as in all sciences there is a variety of key factors to consider that consistently change.
- The Budget Debate: A detailed look into the aspects of economics, which lead to success or downfall. There are many factors to economics that are often unpredictable. Learn what they are and watch a humorous video featuring actors playing Hayek and Keynes.
- The Nobel Prize in Economics Not Worth a Penny?
While awaiting the announcement of the 2010 economic Nobel Prize, many have conflicting opinions on the credibility of the prize itself. With five fields originally named for the prize, the debate rages on about the authenticity of the economic prize and the validity of economic science.
- Poverty Illustrated
A look at the country’s population and poverty demographics and how social classes can no longer be considered guidelines. This is a very interesting article with illustrations anyone can read. Social classes are no longer what they were once thought of and many people have crossed over into another with little to now knowledge.
- Open Economics
Statements made by Joseph Stiglitz come about contradictory. One would assume Stiglitz is fond of his wayward banter as he disputes economics as a science but cannot prove his words correct due to the nature of his on responses.
- New World Order Economics
The author of this article expresses truth in facts as the ugly truth of the past show their teeth in today’s economy. From an international stand point, the domino effect comes to light as poverty, war, and the health care debate take action in what was thought to be one of the most advanced times in history.
The pioneers of Social Science have laid the foundation of the social structures we have in life. Many have had an adverse effect on the world, but most have lead the way to what society is and are largely responsible for why life is so easy compared to our predecessors. All pioneers are owed a big thank you for life’s luxuries.
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