UCSP Module 1: Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science

Vocabulary flashcards covering the nature, goals, key figures, and perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science from UCSP Module 1.

Anthropology

The study, analysis, and description of humanity's past and present, including prehistoric origins and human evolution.

Anthropos

A Greek word meaning man, which forms the root of the term anthropology.

Logos

A Greek word meaning study, which forms the suffix of the term anthropology.

Four Fields of Anthropology

The four interrelated subfields of anthropology in North America: archaeology, biological anthropology (or actual human sciences), linguistic anthropology, and cultural anthropology (or social human studies).

Perspectives of Anthropology

The major conceptual viewpoints in anthropology, consisting of Holism, Comparison, Cultural Relativism, and Fieldwork.

Sociology

The scientific investigation of human culture and social behavior, concerned with human society and human social activities.

Auguste Comte

A French social thinker (1798–1857) known as the 'Father of Sociology' who coined the term sociology in 1839.

Émile Durkheim

A French humanist (1858–1917) who made the largest contribution to the development of sociology as a social scientific discipline.

Sociological Perspective

A viewpoint that encourages looking at recognizable environmental factors in a new manner, exploring disregarded or misunderstood spaces of society, and better understanding oneself.

Political Science

A social science discipline that deals with systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts, associated constitutions, and political behavior.

Aristotle

A Greek philosopher (384–322 BC) known as the 'Father of Political Science', author of Politics, who famously stated 'Man is a political animal'.

Plato

A Greek philosopher (427–347 BC) and forerunner of Western political thought who wrote The Republic.

Political Science Approaches

Theoretical methods used in political science, including positivism, interpretivism, rational choice theory, behaviouralism, structuralism, post-structuralism, realism, institutionalism, and pluralism.

Primary Sources in Political Science

Firsthand historical documents and official records used as direct research materials for political inquiry.

Secondary Sources in Political Science

Research materials such as scholarly journal articles, survey research, statistical analysis, case studies, experimental research, and model building.