Meaning and Objectives of Social Studies

Meaning of Social Studies:

Social studies is one of the core subjects taught at the primary and junior secondary school (JSS) levels of education.

One truth about life is the fact that we cannot live in isolation (alone). We need to interact with other people because that’s simply how we have been designed by the creator.

We will also need to interact with our non-living environment in order to stay alive. For instance, we need oxygen to stay alive. Oxygen is considered as a non-living part of our environment in this instance.

Please read on the basic characteristics of life here.

Social Studies is defined as an integrated study on the interaction of human beings with their physical and social environments.

We can think of our environment as everything that surrounds us at any point in time. For instance, the soil, air, your clothes, phone and everything surrounding you right now are all part of your environment. (That is, they make up your environment).

As stated earlier in our definition of social studies, our environments can be physical or social. Below is a brief explanation on both forms of environment.

• Physical environment describes every visible thing around us. It could be water, air, food, soil, clothes, shoes, products of technology, people around us or just any other thing present around us.
• Social environment on the other hand describes the various social roles or positions that influence an individual or a group. It is represented in our culture, norms, values, the people and various institutions with whom we interact with. Meanwhile, understand that social media applications like facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube and the likes present a social environment where people can interact with one another regardless their geographical location around the world.

You can read on the various forms of marriages in our social environment here.

Social Studies also involve the study of relationships between nations, empires and kingdoms, while proffering solutions to the problems that may arise within such relationships.

As a matter of fact, social studies helps us to better understand our social, cultural, structural and political differences. This understanding makes our world a peaceful and organized place to live in.

Take for instance, Nigeria is a multi ethnic society (of about 250 ethnic groups) and yet, it still exists as a single nation because of a sense of understanding amongst the groups.

Note: Subjects like civic education, history, government, geography, commerce and economics all have affiliations to social studies.

 

Objectives of Social Studies

The objectives of social studies may also be considered as the goals, aims or outcomes of social studies.

Below are the objectives of social studies alongside their explanations:

 

1. Social studies teaches us morals and values

Social studies as a subject teaches the principle of what is right and wrong. It helps to inculcate the appropriate values, behavior and social habits into students.

As an instance, culture is taught in social studies with the aim of making students understand and appreciate their originality (way of life).

Also, students are made aware of the negative implications of bad activities and practices like:

• Drug trafficking.
  Please read more on drug trafficking here.
• Harmful traditional practices
  Please read on harmful traditional practices in Nigeria here.
• Factors that can lead to failed marriages and so on.
  Please read on factors that can lead to failed marriages here.

In addition to teaching moral and social values, social studies also give the students a sense of responsibility in the society where they find themselves.

Please read on the responsibilities, duties and obligations of a citizen here

 

2. Social studies aid us to better know and understand our environment

One of the main goals of social studies is to help us interact with the physical and social environments we live in.

Through this subject, we will further appreciate our interaction with other people and various social activities in our society.

Please read on environmental problems, its causes, effects and solutions

 

3. Social studies creates national consciousness

Social studies teaches patriotism to the students. For instance, during the course of learning social studies, students are taught topics like national symbols and national heritage.

Please read on the Nigerian national symbols here.

Through social studies, students are also reminded of the roles played by their national heroes and heroines towards their nation's development and independence.

Please read on Herbert Macaulay, the Nigerian nationalist here.

You can read on Mary Slessor, the woman who stopped the killing of twins in Nigeria.

 

4. Social studies assist in producing useful citizens

Every country want their citizens to become an asset within and beyond their country. One way of achieving this is by teaching social studies in primary and secondary schools.

Students will become useful and responsible citizen if they practiced what they have been taught. For instance, when drug trafficking is taught in class, the students are made aware of the dangers involved in drug trafficking; thus are discouraged from participating in such negative activity.

Please read more on drug trafficking, it's consequences and measures put in place to prevent it.

Social studies therefore encourage students to play the necessary and appropriate roles in their society.

 

5. Social studies promote social development

The students are taught the importance of various positive attitudes like cooperation, togetherness and good neighborliness.

Through the knowledge obtained from the study of social studies, pupils and students will also understand the importance of a healthy interaction with other members of their society.

Please read on cooperation and factors that promote it here.

A good understanding of social studies will help us relate positively to the present era of social media in our world.

 

6. Social studies fosters the good use of resources

The various natural resources that are available in a nation are made known to the students through social studies; including their financial value to the nation.

Apart from natural resources, the advantages of human resources are also taught to students. For instance, Nigerian as a country has over 200 million people as at 2019. If these populace are well educated and oriented on socialization, they will become of great asset to the nation.

Please read on the meaning, causes, consequences and solutions to illiteracy here.

Nigeria is also blessed with a variety of natural resources like crude oil, coal, limestone, rivers, wildlife and so on.

Note: Some countries often bring in non-citizens (immigrants) into their land in an attempt to increase the human resources within their nation.

You can read on attributes of citizens and residents here.

 

7. Social studies help to approve social values

The good values of various nations have been circulated throughout the world. For instance, Nigerians are encouraged to wear suit to their respective offices during some days of the week.

The wearing of suit is a western culture that has found its way into Nigeria and other African countries. In this instance, social studies as a subject therefore helps us to relate with the trending social values around the world.

Please read more on values here.

 

8. Social studies creates awareness in students

Students are equipped with social, cultural, political and economic awareness by teaching social studies in schools. As a result, they will become more effective in contributing towards the growth and development of their country.

Students can also read on the various branches of social studies at the tertiary level of education. These branches include:

• Sociology

• Philosophy

• Psychology

• Anthropology

• International Relations

• Government

Please read on the branches of governmentovernment here.

In addition, subjects like government, history, civic education, geography and economics are all related to social studies.

 

9. Social studies can create a source of income

Presently, we live in a world where the internet and social media have become an influencing factor. To this end, people make a lot of money from social media through a variety of social activities like blogging, affiliate marketing, vlogging and so on.

Having a good understanding of social studies can boost one's chances of making passive income via the various social media platforms.

Learn how to start a home based fish farming business here.

 

10. Social studies encourages students to appreciate the dignity of labour

Dignity of labour relates to the dedication and hardwork that is put into any chosen profession.

As an instance, a police officer portrays dignity of labour when he does his work diligently and selflessly without accepting any form of bribe.

Social studies also promote the dedication of students towards their studies.

Note: Len Academy entrust her values towards dedication and discipline. To this end, we are constantly working hard towards putting up standard and professional contents without any form of plagiarism.

You can attempt Len Academy PHE examination questions for JSS1, 2nd term here.

 

11. Social studies help to develop prudence in students

One is said to be prudent when they make careful and sensible decisions so as to avoid unnecessary risk.

Please read on the leadership qualities of Joseph that has transformed lives here.

Since social studies help us to relate with our environment and other people. It will bring about prudence in students when interacting with others or their environment.

 

12. Social studies assist in developing the personalities of student

Through certain topics taught in social studies, for instance, culture, the students are thought to appreciate themselves for who they are and where they come from.

Please read more on reputation here.

Students are encouraged to display their beautiful culture everywhere they go.

 

13. Social studies brings development to the nation

A country with a healthy social relationship with other countries will have better chances of opening up opportunities for her citizens.

You can read on the importance of business and management studies here.

An instance is the European Union (EU) which is comprised of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

 

14. Social studies improve the critical thinking skills of students

Students grow their critical thinking skills while learning social studies. This is true because the past decisions taken by world leaders are looked into and evaluated by students.

With this knowledge (from the above paragraph), students become more knowledgeable and are able to think faster when it comes to decision making.

You can test your knowledge here.

 

15. Social studies improves the knowledge of students on world affairs

Children and teens are taught global affiliations, global conflicts and even important historical events through social studies. In this way, they are able to understand and learn from past events.

Imagine the question below:

Do you know that the South African Hero, Nelson Mandela once lived in Enugu State, Nigeria?

If Nigerians and South Africans are conversant with their rich historical backgrounds, I don't think we would have had these xenophobic catastrophes'.