Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences – Comprehensive Notes

Rapid societal and global shifts in the 21^{st} century (globalization, (neo)-colonialism, neoliberalism, capitalism, digitization, Covid-19 pandemic) shake human foundations and trigger fundamental questions:
- “What makes a good society?”
- “How can we achieve social justice, tackle global inequalities/poverty, end racism, sexism, homophobia?”
- “How do we reorganize for wellness & happiness and create fair, inclusive political systems?”
Answers are pursued through Social Sciences and, increasingly, Applied Social Sciences.
HUMSS strand relevance: cultivates curiosity about human behavior, daily experience, and societal organization.

Subject: Discipline & Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences (second part of the DIASS sequence).
Emphasizes seamless inter-connectivity among applied social-science disciplines and their processes in critical development areas.

Content Standard: Learners demonstrate understanding of Social Sciences & Applied Social Sciences.
Performance Standard: Learners clearly explain public perceptions about the work of both sets of practitioners.
Learning Competency: Clarify relationships & differences between Social Sciences and Applied Social Sciences.
Lesson Objectives:
1. Demonstrate understanding of both domains.
2. Differentiate between them.
3. Appreciate their value.

Seatwork 1 (Short Essay): “Why did I choose HUMSS?” — use transitional devices.
Seatwork 2 (T-Chart): Classify disciplines as Pure Social Sciences vs Applied Social Sciences (list provided: Economics, History, Counseling, Political Science, Social Work, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Mass Communication, Public Administration, Criminology, Demography, Geography, Urban Planning, Education).
Seatwork 3 (Data Retrieval Chart): Record main concerns/focus for each discipline (Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, etc.).
Performance Task 1 (Infomercial): 5-min group video promoting an Applied Social Science field answering what, why, how; rubric covers Content, Presentation, Reasoning, Organization.

Definition (general): Scientific study of social relationships & human society through systematic research & analysis.
“Social” in Social Science: Anything emerging from group interaction—friendship, family, religion, language, markets, legislation, activism, traffic rules, poverty, etc.
Social Sciences as Science
- Employ the scientific method (surveys, experiments, qualitative designs).
- Although controlled lab experimentation is difficult, knowledge expansion via systematic methods qualifies as science.
Key Scholarly Definitions
- Stone (2018): academic disciplines studying human society & social relationships.
- Britannica (2006): branches dealing with human behavior in social & cultural aspects.
- Hill (1997): concerned with interactions between people and environment.
- Binning & Binning (1952): origins, organization, development of society, esp. man in association with others.
- Otaha & Dickson (2014): primarily study human behavior & society.
- McNeill: social science is itself part of the social experience it interprets.

Combination of various subjects (History, Geography, Economics, Civics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, etc.).
Studies human relationships & environment; seeks solutions to social issues.
Prepares humans for practical social living (social, emotional, intellectual growth).
Commits to action → informed, participatory citizenship.
Dynamic, evolving with people’s outlook, behavior, hobbies.

Anthropology: Origins; physical, social, cultural development.
Sociology: Patterns of human interaction; group life; social problems & solutions.
Economics: Allocation of scarce resources → satisfaction of unlimited wants; production–distribution–consumption of wealth.
Psychology: Mind & behavior; internal/external factors; literally “study of the soul.”
Political Science: Power, conflict resolution, governance under rule of law.
History: Systematic inquiry into past people/events via primary & secondary sources.
Geography: Earth description; people, places, environments, their interactions.
Demography: Statistical study of populations; birth, migration, aging, death; examines size, composition, spatial distribution.

Emerged in late-1990s to counter siloed pure disciplines; promotes collaboration.
Focuses on application of concepts, theories, models from pure social sciences to analyze and address real-world issues.
Seeks utilitarian, problem-solving outcomes; multidisciplinary & dynamic.

Practitioners favor concepts over broad propositions.
Selectivity: only theories/models useful for understanding or producing change are borrowed.
Practical demands stimulate new concepts, which feed back and modify pure theories.

Offers guidance, help, support to individuals/families facing personal, social, career, emotional problems.
Uses psychological methods (case history, interviews, skills tests).
Practitioners: psychologists, guidance/career counselors, life-coaches, personal-growth counselors.

Helps individuals, families, groups, communities enhance well-being & problem-solving capacity.
Tackles personal issues and structural issues (poverty, unemployment, domestic violence).
Roles: advocate, counselor, mediator, researcher, educator, case manager, facilitator, community-change agent.

Training fits mass media & broader communication industries.
Tasks in news/current-affairs: balanced, objective, truthful, creative reporting.
Skills: writing, producing, delivering accurate information about social, political, cultural, economic realities.

Similarity: Both rooted in understanding human society; share theoretical foundations.
Difference:
- Social Sciences → develop theories & explanations (“why” & “how”).
- Applied → employ those theories for practical intervention, policy, professional practice (“what can we do?”).
Relationship: Applied disciplines borrow, adapt, and sometimes refine pure theories; feedback loop modifies foundational knowledge.

Mental & emotional health (counseling).
Social welfare, poverty alleviation, community development (social work).
Informed citizenship, democratic discourse, crisis communication (media/communication).
Policy design, urban planning, education reform, criminal justice, etc., via cross-disciplinary applications.

Bridge academic insight and societal need; translate research into action.
Multidisciplinary collaboration generates comprehensive solutions to complex problems.
Promote social justice, inclusion, empowerment, and evidence-based decision making.

In what ways are Social Sciences & Applied Social Sciences similar and different?
How do they relate and inform each other?
Where, concretely, can Applied Social Sciences deliver value?
What societal benefits arise from their application?

Ethical practice (confidentiality, informed consent, cultural sensitivity) is crucial across counseling, social work, media.
Philosophically grapples with power, justice, equity, human well-being.
Practical implication: practitioners must balance scientific rigor with real-world constraints (resources, politics, urgency).