DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

Objective: Describe Social Sciences as the comprehensive study of society.

Activity 1: Web Diagram

SOCIETY

SOCIETY - is usually described as an organized group of individuals whose

members work together or regularly meet and have a shared territory, interest, and
way of living.

Social Sciences: The Study of Society

This fivemonth-long armed
conflict between the Armed Forces
of the Philippines and the militants,
including the Maute group and the
Abu Sayyaf that are both associated
with the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant (ISIL), had caused over a
thousand casualties and left the
beautiful Islamic City of Marawi in
ruins. On October 17, 2017, the
day after the militant leaders of
both groups were reportedly killed
during an operation, this battle
finally ended, and Marawi City was
liberated.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Essentially, the term “Social Sciences” is defined as the body of knowledge

concerned with the methodical study of various aspects of our society, numerous
social phenomena, and the impacts of these occurrences on people’s lives.

ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Society, the first element of Social Sciences, puts the entire body of
knowledge in individuals as social beings and their social backgrounds or
environments

1
 Empirical analysis places the Social Sciences in an academic mode of
investigation about human society using the scientific method, the systematic and
rational process of obtaining knowledge.

HISTORY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

The roots of some of the important concepts and

purposes of Social Sciences go completely back to
the ancient Greece. The contributions of the ancient
Greece in the area of social thought are still
noticeable even up to these days. We have Social
Sciences today because of the Greeks’ willpower to
understand everything in the essence of rational
inquiry. Without this determination, the
Renaissance and the Enlightenment, two historical periods where some of the
major evolutionary ideas emerged, would not have served their own respective
purposes in the course of our civilization, especially the Enlightenment (17 th-18th
century) where the study of society started to become somewhat scientific.

Positivism is a philosophy that believes that every

single reasonable affirmation can be scientifically proven or
tested by empirical sciences or is capable of mathematical or
logical evidence.

Auguste Comte (17981857), the founder of Positivism and

the one who foreshadowed the use of this philosophy in
studying human behaviors, argued that metaphysics and
theology are imperfect methods in searching for knowledge; that rational thought is
far more powerful in comparison to faith and superstition in explaining different
social phenomena.
He proposed that theism and metaphysics should be rejected since these
modes of knowledge cannot be proven by empirical analysis and, therefore, are
unreliable

NATURAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Natural Sciences, or the sciences of nature, give

attention on investigating every single natural
phenomenon that occurred, or is currently happening, in
our world using tangible evidences like natural forces,
fossils, and artifacts.

Natural Sciences can be further categorized into Physical Sciences, Biological

Sciences, Earth Sciences and many more.

Humanities, differently, are academic disciplines that study numerous human

conditions and the manners wherein the human experiences are treated and
recorded.
2
GROUP ACTIVITY

Activity 1.1 Triple Bottom Line (TBL) (

Communication)
Objective: Compare and contrast Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and
Humanities Directions:
1. Compare and contrast Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities
2. Present your Venn Diagram.
3. Answer the guide questions that follow.

Guide Questions:
1. What are the similarities of Social Science to Natural Science and
Humanities?
2. How does Social Science differ from Natural Science?

3. How does Social Science differ from Humanities?

Activity 1.2 Slogan Making Period (SMP) (Character, Communication,

Creativity)
Objective: Appreciate the importance of Social Sciences as instruments to deeply
understand the society

Directions:
1. Generate your own slogan about the significance of Social Sciences as
instruments in understanding our society.
2. Write your slogan on a bond paper.

3. Create your output creatively and imaginatively.

3
Activity
Directions:
1. Develop your own comprehensive definition of the term “Social Sciences.”
Social Science /ˌsōSHəl ˈsīəns/ n. __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

World of Words (WOW)

(Communication, Critical Thinking)

Based on the article about the “Marawi Siege” make a reflection paper on
this five-month-long armed conflict happened between the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf, which occurred in the Islamic City
of Marawi that caused over thousand casualties and left the city ruined.

Directions:
1. Use all the words/terms inside the box.
2. Consider other words/terms if needed, to strengthen your reflection.
3. Write your reflection on a separate sheet of paper.

Diversity Future Human Behavior Knowledge Interconnected

Peace Politics Respect Social Sciences Society

4
 ASSESSMENT
Directions: Read each question/sentence carefully and encircle the letter of the
best answer.

1. “According to Albert Einstein, light has no mass. Thus, it also has no energy.
However, how can sunlight warm the earth without energy?”
Which of the following academic disciplines can answer this question?

A. Humanities C. Social Physics

B. Natural Sciences D. Social Sciences

2. When a researcher tries to learn about human society and understand the
things that are occurring in it by conducting keen observations, critical
analyses, and interpretations of social facts found from the individuals living in
a society, what element of Social Sciences does the researcher focus?

A. Empirical Analysis C. Society

B. Nature D. Superstition

3. If the purpose of the scientific method in Natural Sciences is to study all natural
phenomena that happened, or are currently occurring, in our world using
tangible evidences such as artifacts, fossils, and natural forces, what is the
purpose of the scientific method in Social Sciences?

A. To discover the laws of nature that rules our world.

B. To explore the creative expressions of human experiences.

C. To study the several human conditions and the manners wherein the
human experiences are processed and recorded.

D. To understand the different aspects of human society, several social

phenomena, and the impacts of these occurrences on people’s lives.

4. If the focus of the Natural Sciences is to explore all natural phenomena that
occurred, or are currently happening, in the world, what is the focus of the
Humanities?

A. To study the different aspects of human society.

B. To explore the laws of nature that rules our world.

C. To discover the effects of social phenomena on people’s live.

D. To understand the numerous human conditions and the ways wherein

the human experiences are treated and documented.

5. In terms of the connection between Social Sciences and Humanities, some of

the disciplines of Social Sciences are also affiliated with Humanities. Which of
the following disciplines of Social Sciences is NOT associated with Humanities?

A. Anthropology B. Economics C. History D. Linguistics

5
6. Social Sciences began to become slightly scientific during the __________.

A. Age of Enlightenment C. Medieval Period

B. Industrial Revolution D. Renaissance Period

7. Auguste Comte believed that theology and metaphysics are imperfect modes of
knowledge and that these two should be rejected since they cannot be verified
by experimental investigation. Which of the following tendencies of thought was
founded by Auguste Comte to oppose the two studies?

A. Democracy C. Humanitarianism

B. Evolution D. Positivism

8. In the elements of Social Sciences, the empirical analysis places the entire body
of knowledge in a systematic mode of inquiry about human societies through
the scientific method while the society puts the whole area of study on
__________.

A. The creative expressions of human experiences

B. The people living in a society and their social environments or

backgrounds

C. The study of all natural phenomena that occurred, or are currently

occurring, in the world

D. The numerous human conditions and the manners in which the human
experiences are treated and recorded

9. Which of the following is NOT a definition of the term “society”? A. It is the

friendly association or companionship with other people
B. It is a large group of individuals whose relationships are impersonal and
detached

C. It is the product of purposeful activities of individuals who came together

for the attainment of a common goal

D. It is an organized group of people whose members work together or

regularly meet and have a shared way of living, interest, and territory

10.The scientific method is less commonly used in what academic discipline?

A. Humanities C. Social Physics

B. Natural Science D. Social Science

6
Name: ____________________________________________ Grade and Section: ___________

School: __________________________ Date: __________ Subject Teacher: ______________

MELC: Differentiate the nature and functions of Social Science disciplines with the
Natural sciences and Humanities.
Objectives:
1. Appreciate the importance of Social Sciences as instruments to deeply
understand the society.
2. Create a journal entry analyzing the importance of Social Sciences in
combating Covid 19 pandemic.
Topic: Social Sciences: The Study of Society

Journal Entry
Directions: From what you have learned about the lesson, create a journal entry on
how Social Sciences can help in the battle against Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19). Write your journal entry on a separate sheet of paper. Reminder:
Reading news articles and/or surfing the internet about the contributions of Social
Sciences in the prevention and control of other infectious diseases is/are highly
suggested.
1
TEACHERS GUIDE
Pretest Posttest
1. d 1. b
2. b 2. a
3. a 3. d
4. d 4. d
5. c 5. b
6. b 6. a
7. a 7. d
8. a 8. b
9. a 9. b
10.a 10.a
ANSWER KEY
Objective: Describe Social Sciences as the comprehensive study of society.

What comes into your mind when you hear the word “society”?

In this lesson, you will learn about the significance of Social Sciences as
advantageous instruments in studying the different facets of our society and
understanding the burning issues and complications surrounding it. In addition,
you will also recognize the similarities and differences of Social Sciences to other
disciplines such as Natural Sciences and Humanities.

Social Sciences: The Study of

Society
Do you still remember the Battle of Marawi or more popularly known as
Marawi Siege? For historians, it will never be forgotten since this armed conflict is
considered as the longest urban battle in Philippine modern history. This
fivemonth-long armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the

militants, including the Maute group and the Abu

Sayyaf that are both associated with the Islamic State
of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), had caused over a
thousand casualties and left the beautiful Islamic City
of Marawi in ruins. On October 17, 2017, the day
after the militant leaders of both groups were
reportedly killed during an operation, this battle
finally ended, and Marawi City was liberated.

However, the impact of this urban battle can still be Figure 1: Bombing on Marawi City
https://tl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talaksan:
seen, especially on the people of Marawi City who Bombing_on_Marawi_City.jpg
lived through its terrors.

2
SOCIAL SCIENCES

Essentially, the term “Social Sciences” is defined as the body of knowledge

concerned with the methodical study of various aspects of our society, numerous
social phenomena, and the impacts of these occurrences on people’s lives.
It is characterized as the area of study that deals with the human
behavior in its cultural and social facets.
Also, it is considered as the branch of science that focuses on the
interpersonal relationships among people living in a society.
Social Sciences focused on the contributing factors or elements that
molded and governed

ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

As you can see, there are two words comprising the term “Social Sciences.”
These words represent the two substantial elements of Social Sciences, which are
the society (social) and the empirical analysis (science).
Society, the first element of Social Sciences, puts the entire body of
knowledge in individuals as social beings and their social backgrounds or
environments. It situates Social Sciences in people and social issues that are
affecting them. On the other hand,
empirical analysis places the Social Sciences in an academic mode of
investigation about human society using the scientific method, the systematic and
rational process of obtaining knowledge.
Because of this element, learning about society and understanding the things
that are happening in it need to be conducted experimentally such as having a keen
observation, critical analysis, and interpretation of social facts,

HISTORY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

The roots of some of the important concepts and purposes of Social Sciences go
completely back to the ancient Greece. The contributions of the ancient Greece in
the area of social thought are still noticeable even up to these days. We have Social
Sciences today because of the Greeks’ willpower to understand everything in the
essence of rational inquiry. Without this determination, the Renaissance and the
Enlightenment, two historical periods where some of the major evolutionary ideas
emerged, would not have served their own respective purposes in the course of our
civilization, especially the Enlightenment (17 th-18th century) where the study of
society started to become somewhat scientific.

Before and during the Age of Enlightenment,

the approaches used by several social philosophers in
examining human societies were much
more philosophical than scientific. Numerous
philosophes, the intellectuals or social philosophers
who shaped the 18th century Enlightenment,
considered this as a disagreeable continuing influence
of the past that is
3
 Figure 2: Philosophes

needed to be opposed through enlightenment, critical http://www.stanislasurbietorbi.com/s

tanislas/repas-votaire.htm reason,

and, if necessary, revolution. Because of this new spirit, several important

contributions were made for the Social Sciences during the Age of Enlightenment
such as growth when it comes to the consciousness of the diversity of human
experience in our world, spreading sense of the cultural or social character of
human actions within society, and, most prominently, the development of ideal of a
science of society, a distinct area of study that has its particular distinctive focus of
attention.

Although Social Sciences have their own distinguishing

subject matters, these fields utilize the same philosophical
system that directed the progress of other disciplines such as
Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences, and that is
Positivism. Positivism is a philosophy that believes that every
single reasonable affirmation can be scientifically proven or
tested by empirical sciences or is capable of mathematical or
logical evidence. Furthermore, it holds that for us to attain a
Figure 3: Auguste Comte
certain scientific idea, objectivity and practical investigation of https://tl.m.wikipedia.org/
evidences must be observed. This philosophical theory is wiki/Talaksan:Auguste_Comte2.jpg
guiding Social Sciences in grasping and explaining numerous social phenomena
through systematic observations, critical analyses, and interpretations of social facts
found among the people living in a specific society such as interpersonal
relationships and human activities. Auguste Comte (17981857), the founder of
Positivism and the one who foreshadowed the use of this philosophy in studying
human behaviors, argued that metaphysics and theology are imperfect methods in
searching for knowledge; that rational thought is far more powerful in comparison
to faith and superstition in explaining different social phenomena. He proposed
that theism and metaphysics should be rejected since these modes of knowledge
cannot be proven by empirical analysis and, therefore, are unreliable.
Now that you already knew that Social Sciences are also employing the
scientific method in studying their own subject matters, the next question is: What
makes Social Sciences different from other disciplines like Natural Sciences and
Humanities?

NATURAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

What makes Social Sciences unique from other

areas of study such as Natural Sciences and
Humanities is that these disciplines concentrate on
analyzing and explaining the different aspects of social
life of the individuals including their behaviors. Also,
these fields focus on observing and interpreting
various social phenomena. On the other hand,
Natural Sciences, or the sciences of nature, give https://pixabay.com/de/illustrations
Figure 4: Natural Science

attention on investigating every single natural / physik-wissenschaft-medizin-

dna140901/

4
phenomenon that occurred, or is currently happening, in our world using tangible
evidences like natural forces, fossils, and artifacts. These areas of study explore the
laws of nature that rule our world through objective and empirical approaches.
Also, Natural Sciences can be further categorized into Physical Sciences, Biological
Sciences, Earth Sciences and many more. Humanities, differently, are academic
disciplines that study numerous human conditions and the manners wherein the
human experiences are treated and recorded. Additionally, these studies aim to
comprehend the human perspective of individuals’ social existence and the
responses these people are displaying on different occurrences. For instance, the
literary works of Jose Rizal, such as Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, aim to
educate the Filipinos on the persecutions experienced by our countrymen during
the Spanish regime.

Even though these three fields of study are different from one another, they are
also sharing a few similarities in some areas. Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and
Humanities are all employing the scientific method in producing knowledge, though
this systematic process is more usual in Social Sciences and Natural Sciences since
Humanities are more focused on the creative expressions of human experiences.
When it comes to the similarity between Social Sciences and Humanities, some of
the disciplines of Social Sciences are also affiliated with Humanities such as
Anthropology, Linguistics, and, especially, History. History is considered as the
borderline to the two fields of knowledge since its methods and insights penetrate
both Social Sciences and Humanities.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1.1. Defining Moment

Directions:
2. Develop your own comprehensive definition of the term “Social Sciences.”
Social Science /ˌsōSHəl ˈsīəns/ n. __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Rubrics
Criteria Highest Possible Points
Content (presence of ideas) 10 points
Organization (order) 4 points
Style (choice of words) 4 points
5
 Conventions (grammar, spelling) 2 points
Total 20 points

Activity 1.2. Triple Bottom Line (TBL) (Critical Thinking,

Communication)
Objective: Compare and contrast Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and
Humanities Directions:
4. Compare and contrast Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Humanities
5. Make your Triple Venn Diagram on a separate sheet of paper.
6. Answer the guide questions that follow.

Image courtesy of: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venn_diagram_ABC_BW.png

Guide Questions:
1. What are the similarities of Social Science to Natural Science and
Humanities?
2. How does Social Science differ from Natural Science?

3. How does Social Science differ from Humanities?

Activity 1.3. Slogan Making Period (SMP) (Character, Communication,

Creativity)
Objective: Appreciate the importance of Social Sciences as instruments to deeply
understand the society

Directions:
4. Generate your own slogan about the significance of Social Sciences as
instruments in understanding our society.
5. Write your slogan on a bond paper.

6. Create your output creatively and imaginatively.

Rubrics

6
 Criteria Highest Possible Points
Relevance (relation to the topic) 20 points
Originality (uniqueness) 20 points
Creativity (artistry) 10 points
Overall Slogan Impact (appeal) 10 points
Total 60 points

REMEMBER

• The term “Social Sciences” is characterized as the body of knowledge

concerned with the systematic study of various aspects of human society,
several social phenomena, and the effects of these occurrences on people’s
lives.
• Positivism is a philosophical theory that believes that all reasonable
assertions can be systematically tested or proven by empirical sciences or is
capable of logical or mathematical evidence.
• Auguste Comte is the founder of Positivism and the one who suggested the
use of this philosophical system in learning about human behaviors.
• Natural Sciences concentrate on examining all natural phenomena that
happened, or are currently occurring, in the world through tangible
evidences such as fossils, artifacts, and natural forces.
• Humanities are disciplines that deal with several human conditions and the
manners in which the human experiences are processed and
recorded.

CHECK YOUR

UNDERSTANDING

World of Words (WOW)

(Communication, Critical Thinking)
7
 Based on the article about the “Marawi Siege” make a reflection paper on
this five-month-long armed conflict happened between the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf, which occurred in the Islamic City
of Marawi that caused over thousand casualties and left the city ruined.

Directions:
4. Use all the words/terms inside the box.
5. Consider other words/terms if needed, to strengthen your reflection.
6. Write your reflection on a separate sheet of paper.

Diversity Future Human Behavior Knowledge Interconnected

Peace Politics Respect Social Sciences Society

Rubrics:
Criteria Highest Possible Points
Content (presence of ideas) 10 points
Organization (order) 4 points
Style (choice of words) 4 points
Conventions (grammar, spelling) 2 points
Total 20 points

POSTTEST

Directions: Read each question/sentence carefully and choose the letter of the best
answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

11.“According to Albert Einstein, light has no mass. Thus, it also has no energy.
However, how can sunlight warm the earth without energy?”

Which of the following academic disciplines can answer this question?

A. Humanities C. Social Physics

8
 B. Natural Sciences D. Social Sciences

12.When a researcher tries to learn about human society and understand the
things that are occurring in it by conducting keen observations, critical
analyses, and interpretations of social facts found from the individuals living in
a society, what element of Social Sciences does the researcher focus?

A. Empirical Analysis C. Society

B. Nature D. Superstition

13.If the purpose of the scientific method in Natural Sciences is to study all natural
phenomena that happened, or are currently occurring, in our world using
tangible evidences such as artifacts, fossils, and natural forces, what is the
purpose of the scientific method in Social Sciences?

A. To discover the laws of nature that rules our world.

B. To explore the creative expressions of human experiences.

C. To study the several human conditions and the manners wherein the
human experiences are processed and recorded.

D. To understand the different aspects of human society, several social

phenomena, and the impacts of these occurrences on people’s lives.

14.If the focus of the Natural Sciences is to explore all natural phenomena that
occurred, or are currently happening, in the world, what is the focus of the
Humanities?

A. To study the different aspects of human society.

B. To explore the laws of nature that rules our world.

C. To discover the effects of social phenomena on people’s live.

D. To understand the numerous human conditions and the ways wherein

the human experiences are treated and documented.

15.In terms of the connection between Social Sciences and Humanities, some of
the disciplines of Social Sciences are also affiliated with Humanities. Which of
the following disciplines of Social Sciences is NOT associated with Humanities?

A. Anthropology B. Economics C. History D. Linguistics

16.Social Sciences began to become slightly scientific during the __________.

A. Age of Enlightenment C. Medieval Period

9
 B. Industrial Revolution D. Renaissance Period

17.Auguste Comte believed that theology and metaphysics are imperfect modes of
knowledge and that these two should be rejected since they cannot be verified
by experimental investigation. Which of the following tendencies of thought was
founded by Auguste Comte to oppose the two studies?

A. Democracy C. Humanitarianism

B. Evolution D. Positivism

18.In the elements of Social Sciences, the empirical analysis places the entire body
of knowledge in a systematic mode of inquiry about human societies through
the scientific method while the society puts the whole area of study on
__________.

A. The creative expressions of human experiences

B. The people living in a society and their social environments or

backgrounds

C. The study of all natural phenomena that occurred, or are currently

occurring, in the world

D. The numerous human conditions and the manners in which the human
experiences are treated and recorded

19.Which of the following is NOT a definition of the term “society”? A. It is the

friendly association or companionship with other people

E. It is a large group of individuals whose relationships are impersonal and

detached

F. It is the product of purposeful activities of individuals who came together

for the attainment of a common goal

G. It is an organized group of people whose members work together or

regularly meet and have a shared way of living, interest, and territory

20.The scientific method is less commonly used in what academic discipline?

A. Humanities C. Social Physics

B. Natural Science D. Social Science

10
11