1st Edition
Social Science and Historical Perspectives Society, Science, and Ways of Knowing
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.
Introduction
Features of the Book
Chapter 1 What is Social Science?
Chapter 2 Historical Thinking
Chapter 3 Science of Politics
Chapter 4 Economic Outlook
Chapter 5 Psychological Careers
Chapter 6 Sociological Imagination
Chapter 7 Anthropological Perspective
Chapter 8 Geographical Worldview
Chapter 9 Social Science and Other Ways of Knowing
List of Key Terms
Bibliography
Biography
Jack David Eller is Associate Professor (Emeritus) of Anthropology at the Community College of Denver, USA. An experienced teacher and author, his other books for Routledge include Cultural Anthropology: Global Forces, Local Lives (third edition, 2016), Cultural Anthropology: 101 (2015), Culture and Diversity in the United States (2015), and Introducing Anthropology of Religion (second edition, 2014).
Eller’s book is a logically structured and highly readable overview of the key tenets of various social science disciplines.
- Wendy Rouse, San José State University, USA