Chapter 1: Introduction to Social Studies

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Chapter 1: Introduction to Social Studies 

Photo: 

Cory Schadt

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What do you think social scientists study?

What do you think social scientists study? 

Learning goals

• I can provide an example of a dilemma and I can explain what values, norms and interests are and how they relate to each other

•  I can list and apply the four characteristics of social issues and use an IVA table

• I can list the three main mechanisms by which social issues can be resolved and explain how solutions can be find with violent or non-violent means

• I can explain and can give examples of the factors that limit or provide the solutions to a social issue

1.1: The Pursuit of Happiness

Learning goals

• I can provide an example of a dilemma and formulate one myself

• I can explain what values, norms and interests are and how they relate to each other

give an example of a dilemma

Give an example of a dilemma

Dilemma

A situation in which a difficult decision has to be made between

two equally (un)desirable outcomes.

Social dilemma

 A conflict between individual self-interest and collective well-being.

Dilemma 

Social dilemma

new clothes or new videogames

public cameras to maintan the safety or no public cameras to respect people's privacy

spending tax money on eduction or on healthcare

go out with friends or stay in

answer: 

- dilemma: new clothes or new videogames, go out with friends or stay in

- social dilemma: public cameras to maintan the savety or no public cameras to respect people's privacy, spending tax money on eduction or on healthcare

Give an example of a social dilemma

Give an example of a social dilemma

30

second

+30 s

Value

An abstract ideal or principle that forms

one’s judgement of what is

correct, desirable or morally

responsible and important in life. 

Social norms

Rules of behaviour in a group or society. 

value or social norm? solidarity

Value or social norm?

solidarity

A

value

B

social norm

C

D

value or social norm? don't talk while there is food in your mouth

Value or social norm?

don't talk while there is food in your mouth

A

value

B

social norm

C

D

Interests

 A stake or

involvement you have in an

undertaking.

What are the values and interests of these shoplifters?

What are the values and interests of 

these shoplifters? 

30

second

+30 s

1.2: Social issues

Photo: 

cubicroot

https://pixabay.com/nl/photos/klimaatverandering-klimaat-staking-4552316/

Learning goals

• I can list the four characteristics of a social issue

• I can apply these characteristics to an issue , to see whether it is a social issue

• I can distinguish between actors, values and interests of specific social issues by using an AVI-table

examples of social issues

Examples of social issues

Social issue or social problem

• affects many actors

• different values and/or interests

• media

• can't be solved by an individual

Individual issues 

 Situations where society will not provide a solution.

social issue or individual issue? missing the train

social issue or individual issue?

missing the train

A

social issue

B

individual issue

C

D

social issue or individual issue? climate change

social issue or individual issue?

climate change

A

social issue

B

individual issue

C

D

Actor

An individual or a

group that is actively involved

in the debate on a social issue.

AVI table

social issue: climate change

actors

values

interests

entrepreneurs 

profit

climate welfare

climate activists

answer:

- actors: entrepreneurs, climate activists

- values: climate welfare

- interests: profit

Basic philosophy

Photo:

pcdazero

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Utilitarianism

The idea that people should make decisions that maximise utility; people should always look for the best outcome based on expected costs and benefits.

Consequentialism

 A theory that judges the rightness or

  wrongness of an action based on its consequences.

Virtue ethics

A way of thinking about what makes a good person. 

Is choosing to always be friendly an example of consequentialism or virtue ethics?

1

consequentialism

2

virtue ethics

Is choosing to always be friendly an example of consequentialism or virtue ethics?

answer: virtue ethics

1.3: Resolving social issues

Photo:

Shutterbug75

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Learning goals

• I can list the three main mechanisms by which a social issue can be resolved

• I can explain how societies find solutions to issues with non-violent means, as opposed to violent means 

Who do you think can resolve social issues?

Who do you think can resolve 

social issues?

Mechanisms for resolving social issues

• governement 

• civil society 

• market

Civil society

The collective name for all kind of social organisations in which people come together and form a community.

Market

Mechanism which is based on supply and demand, if enough people have the same specific need, other people will start business to sell products and services that will satisfy this need. 

public matter

communal matter

private matter

market

government

civil society

answer: 

- public matter: government

- communal matter: civil society

- private matter: market

WVF, Red Cross and Unicef are examples of what mechanism?

WVF, Red Cross and Unicef are examples 

of what mechanism?

15

second

+30 s

A

government

B

civil society

C

market

D

Apple and Samsung are examples of what mechanism?

Apple and Samsung are examples of 

what mechanism?

15

second

+30 s

A

government

B

civil society

C

market

D

Debate

A formal discussion where opposing views are presented, the audience is asked to think critically about the arguments presented and come to a conclusion, the debate often ends in a vote for the most convincing arguments.

Dialogue

A conversation between two people or groups of people based upon equality and respect, the goal is not to convince each other or an audience but to exchange differing views.

Compromis

Is an agreement

in which the actors involved

reduce their demands in order to agree to a mutual solution.

Do the political parties in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) make use of debate or dialogue to resolve social issues?

1

debate

2

dialogue

Do the political parties in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) make use of debate or dialogue to resolve social issues? 

answer: debate

Coercion

One person or actor forces another to do something this other person or actor wouldn’t do voluntarily.

Violence

Violence or the threat of violence is usually a means of coercing people.

Of what is this an example?

1

debate

2

dialogue

3

coercion

Of what is this an example? 

answer: coercion

1.4: Context of social issues

Photo:

Leandro Barreto

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Learning goals

• I can explain the factors that limit or provide the solutions to social issues

• I can give examples from (current) issues of how these factors limit and provide solutions to this issue 

What do you think are factors that influence a social issue?

What do you think are factors that influence a social issue? 

• geography and technology

• culture 

• ideology

• legislation

Context

Culture

• Consensus or harmony model: a decision-making process where everyone involved in the decision works together to reach an agreement or a compromise that everyone can support.

• Poldermodel: a process of decision making based on consensus and compromise, where every actor has an equal say in the negotiations.

• Conflict model

Is a fight in parliament an example of the consensus model or the conflict model?

1

consensus model

2

conflict model

Is a fight in parliament an example of the consensus model or the conflict model? 

Ideology

A set of ideas

and beliefs about how society

should be shaped.

examples of ideologies

examples of ideologies

Legislation

• rule of law

• parliamentary democracy

• treaties

Explain for one of the dimensions of context a constraint and a solution for the social issue climate change.

Explain for one of the dimensions of context a constraint and a solution for the social issue climate change.

What have you learnt in this lecture?

What have you learnt in this lecture?

What do you still find difficult?

What do you still find difficult?

Learning goals

• I can provide an example of a dilemma and I can explain what values, norms and interests are and how they relate to each other

•  I can list and apply the four characteristics of social issues and use an IVA table

• I can list the three main mechanisms by which social issues can be resolved and explain how solutions can be find with violent or non-violent means

• I can explain and can give examples of the factors that limit or provide the solutions to a social issue

End of chapter 1: Introduction to Social Studies