Social science

**1. History of Social Sciences:**
– Emerged in the Age of Enlightenment.
– Coined in French in 1767.
– Influenced by positivism and Auguste Comte.
– Developed from moral philosophy.
– Challenged Enlightenment philosophy in the 20th century.

**2. Branches of Social Sciences:**
– Defined by academic journals and societies.
– Includes anthropology, economics, jurisprudence, education, health, economy, and trade.
– Anthropology is a holistic science of man.
– Economics has expanded its domain.
– Distinction between social sciences and humanities.

**3. Methodologies in Social Sciences:**
– Positivist and interpretivist approaches.
– Researchers often use eclectic methodologies.
– Integration of quantitative and qualitative research.
– Statistics became a standalone discipline in the 20th century.
– Involves multiple methodologies for social research.

**4. Challenges and Future Directions in Social Sciences:**
– Seeking unified consensus on methodology.
– Growing interdisciplinary nature.
– Economics described as practicing economic imperialism.
– Continues to evolve and diversify.
– Distinction between social sciences and humanities.

**5. Geography Studies:**
– Divided into physical geography and human geography.
– Utilizes Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing.
– Includes branches like social geography, regional geography, and geomatics.
– Plays a crucial role in understanding Earth’s landscapes.
– Geography encompasses fields like cartography, geology, and climatology.