ABSTRACT

This accessible book introduces the story of ‘social science’, with coverage of history, politics, economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and geography.

Key questions include:

  • How and why did the social sciences originate and differentiate?
  • How are they related to older traditions that have defined Western civilization?
  • What is the unique perspective or ‘way of knowing’ of each social science?
  • What are the challenges—and alternatives—to the social sciences as they stand in the twenty-first century?

Eller explains the origin, evolution, methods, and the main figures, literature, concepts, and theories in each discipline. The chapters also feature a range of contemporary examples, with consideration given to how the disciplines address present-day issues.

chapter 1|28 pages

What is Social Science?

chapter 2|30 pages

Historical Thinking

chapter 3|30 pages

Science of Politics

chapter 4|31 pages

Economic Outlook

chapter 5|31 pages

Psychological Careers

chapter 6|29 pages

Sociological Imagination

chapter 7|33 pages

Anthropological Perspective

chapter 8|33 pages

Geographical Worldview

chapter 9|27 pages

Social Science and Other Ways of Knowing