Social science & Social studies

 

Differentiate Social studies & Social science

	Social Studies	Social Science
Nature	Refers to a field of study, typically taught in schools (primary level), which integrates multiple disciplines (history, geography, economics, political science) to help students understand society.	Refers to the systematic and scientific study of human society and social relationships. It is academic and theoretical in nature, focusing on producing knowledge and theories.
It's more interdisciplinary and practical, focusing on the application of knowledge to real-world problems.	Disciplines include sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, history, and psychology.
Emphasizes citizenship education and the development of informed and engaged individuals.	Emphasizes research, data analysis, and theory development.
Scope	Narrower in focus compared to social science, as it is designed primarily for educational purposes, often limited to school curriculums.	Broad and specialized, covering a wide range of human behaviors and institutions, from individual interactions to global systems.
Combines elements from various social science disciplines but focuses on providing a general overview of society and history.	Involves deep, focused study within specific disciplines
Aimed at helping students acquire a basic understanding of civic, social, and global issues.	Scope extends beyond the classroom to include research institutes, policy development, and academic discourse.
Aims to prepare students to become informed, responsible, and active citizens	Aims to understand, explain, and predict human behavior, societal trends, and institutions through research and theory.
Focuses on educating students about democratic values, history, geography, and civics to foster a sense of citizenship.	Seeks to advance knowledge and provide tools for solving complex societal issues.
Purpose	Encourages practical application of knowledge, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in social contexts.	Its purpose includes academic research, policy analysis, and addressing societal problems through evidence-based approaches
Social Studies is an integrated, interdisciplinary subject in schools aimed at fostering civic awareness and practical understanding of society.	Social Science refers to the in-depth study of individual disciplines like history, economics, and sociology, with a more academic and theoretical focus.
Curriculum Focus	In schools, social studies is an integrated subject that combines aspects of history, geography, civics, economics, and sometimes sociology.	In schools, social science refers to the study of individual disciplines like history, economics, political science, and sociology in a more **in-depth manner
It is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of society, culture, and global issues.	Focuses on specific academic content within each discipline, encouraging a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Emphasizes practical knowledge and civic responsibility, preparing students to be informed citizens.	Emphasizes theoretical knowledge and research, though it may be introduced at an advanced level (typically in secondary or higher education).
Educational Purpose	Designed to be more interdisciplinary and applied, social studies helps students understand how societies function, engage with current events, and recognize their role in a democratic society.	Aimed at developing expertise in specific social phenomena, social science introduces students to the scientific study of human society
Purpose is to promote civic competence, critical thinking, and social responsibility.	Its purpose in schools is to cultivate analytical thinking, research skills, and the ability to understand and critique complex social issues.
It provides a foundation for citizenship education, focusing on participation in community and government, understanding cultural diversity, and global awareness.	More focused on developing disciplinary knowledge that students may pursue further in higher education or specialized fields.
Teaching Methods	More student-centered with activities such as group projects, discussions, and real-world case studies.	Involves more in-depth study of theories, models, and concepts specific to individual disciplines.
Teaching is often designed to make content relevant and practical by connecting historical or social concepts to modern-day events or civic engagement.	Often requires textbook-based learning, lectures, and assessments focused on testing conceptual understanding and analytical thinking.
The goal is to encourage active learning and engagement with the world around the students.	Aimed at building a solid academic foundation in specific fields like history, economics, or political science.
Level of Complexity	Social studies is often simpler and more general, particularly at the primary and middle school levels, focusing on providing students with foundational knowledge of society and history.	Students engage with advanced concepts, including political theories, economic systems, and sociological analysis, requiring a more focused and academic approach.
The content is designed to be accessible to younger students, with an emphasis on themes like community, government, and cultural diversity.	Social science at the school level tends to be more complex, particularly in higher grades where students study distinct social science disciplines.
Social Studies is educational, practical, and interdisciplinary, aimed at teaching students to apply knowledge to real-world civic and social issues.	Social Science is academic, research-oriented, and discipline-specific, focusing on understanding societal patterns and human behavior.