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

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).