FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL STUDIES FIRST NOTE

Concept of Integration in Social Studies

Concept: is an abstract word or phrase used in classifying or categorizing groups of ideas, event or things, into real or concrete activity. For instance: culture, leadership, corruption etc. is an abstract word or phrase used in classifying or categorizing groups of ideas, event or thing, into real or concrete activity or things, example, culture, leadership, corruption etc.

CONCEPT

1. Something thought or imagined: something that somebody has thought up, or that somebody might be able to imagine

2. Examination of basic concepts: the branch of knowledge or academic study devoted to the systematic examination of basic concepts such as truth, existence, reality, causality, and freedom

3. Set of beliefs or aims: a precept, or set of precepts, beliefs, principles, or aims, underlying somebody's practice or conduct

Integration: A process of uniting various forms or parts of knowledge to produce a single or unified knowledge. Integration is very important in building a strong and prosperous nation. We get integrated when we share a common identity.

CONCEPT OF SOCIAL STUDIES

The concept of Social Studies, as a discipline, is no longer an appendage of the Social Sciences. The Discipline which has gone a long way in emerging as a distinctive area of learning, the era when it was treated as “a bit of history”, “a bit of geography” has gone. It is no longer a mixture or” hotchpotch”, a confused addition of bits and pieces of the Social Sciences and Humanities. This was sometimes referred to as “inter-disciplinary” form of teaching.

The new emphasis is to conceive and implement Social Studies as an integrative discipline, and to impart themes from a unified angle. It may interest us to note that the reference to “problem” is to a specific challenge that requires solution through careful study and investigation. This is a matter that needs an investigation inquiry, and discussion that would test to a solution.

 Social Studies goes about facilitating an understanding of the complexity of man, his problems, challenges and solutions, by using anal out learning technique and strategy known as “Integration”. It is necessary for us to know this for proper understanding of social studies. This is a matter that investigation inquiry, and discussion that would test to a solution. The type of research carried out for the social sciences are based on observation and inquiry.

Social studies is a corrective study because it is a subject which is concerned with the problems of man’s living in the society with a view of finding solutions to those problems. It is also a subject which concentrates on the three (3) areas of knowledge, cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. It centers on the development of man, how man influences his environment and how the environment influences him in return.

 Social studies focused on man and his interactions with his environment.

“Social studies is the integrated study of social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence” Social studies consists of a combination of disciplines, in particular history, which is augmented and made more meaningful by the rest of the social studies disciplines, including geography, sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, and political science. The social studies look at all aspects of humanity hoping to learn from the events of the past and better understand the events of the present. The social studies help to develop citizens who are informed decision makers and therefore citizens who are the most beneficial in a multicultural pluralistic Democracy.

Importance of applying integrative learning process:

1. It avoids the division of subject -matter into singular discipline or subject fields.

2. It avoids the weakness of teaching of little and bits of everything in disjointed,

Unconnected manner such that they make little sense and meaning to young learners.

3. Integration advocates and utilizes the “Holistic Approach” to teaching and learning.

An integrated approach to learning attempts to follow the child’s natural ways of learning, viewing the world as a whole, the teacher’s role being to provide experiences and to assist the

inquiry process by suggesting further lines which might be followed.

4. Integration promotes independent learning for self-discovery and self-reliance, which is one of the foremost goals of Social Studies.

5. Finally, it encourages greater flexibility, imagination and creativity on the part of both

the learner and the teacher.

Likely questions:

1.      What does concept mean?

2.      Why is social studies said to be integrated explain with a detailed diagram

3.      List 3 importance of applying integrative learning process

4.      Is social studies important in our lives or not discuss

5.      How does a social science carry out their research?

6.      State the three areas of knowledge which social studies concentrates on

 Next topic is Teaching Values and Norms in Social Studies

Learn what values and norms are and why it is essential in society

In our next class we shall discuss them

Wishing you all a happy reading