This document introduces the social sciences as areas of study related to human society. Social scientists study clues and written records left by humans to solve the "mystery" of what happened in the past and what it means. Specifically, the document discusses archaeologists, historians, and geographers, describing them as detectives who study the past. Archaeologists investigate artifacts like tools and buildings. Historians study written records such as diaries and newspapers. Geographers map natural and human-made features of the environment.

1. The Social Sciences
Anthropology/
Archaeology
Communication
Criminology
Cultural studies
Economics
Education
Environment
History
Human geography
International relations
Internet
Law
Linguistics
Media
Politics
Psychology
Social psychology
Social work
Sociology

2. The Social Sciences
Standard H.8.0 Understand cause and
effect relationships and other historical
thinking skills in order to interpret events and
issues.
 I can define and explain the roles
of geographers, archaeologists,
and historians.

3. The Social Sciences
Social Science is a particular area of
study that relates to human society.
Social Scientists are specialists
(scholars) in studying human society.
Social Scientists are like detectives because:
• They study clues, interpret clues, and
form hypotheses.
• They solve the “mystery” of the meaning
of artifacts and written records left behind
by humans in the world.
As History Detectives we will be investigating
what happened in the past and what it means.

4. The Social Sciences
We will study just three of the social sciences in Unit 1.
The social scientists whose work is similar to the work
of a detective are:
 Archaeologists
 Historians
 Geographers

5. Detectives Who Study the Past
Archaeologist: Digging Up the Past
 Main Item of Study: Artifacts
Types of Evidence they investigate: Clothing,
tools, weapons, buildings, sculptures, paintings

6. Detectives Who Study the Past
Historian: Reading the Past
 Main Item of Study:: Written Records
Types of Evidence they investigate: Diaries,
writing, journals, records, newspapers, books

7. Detectives Who Study the Past
Geographer: Mapping the Past
 Main Item of Study: Natural and human made
features of the Earth on or in the environment.
 Types of Evidence they investigate: Landforms,
rivers, oceans, climate, dams, bridges, roads.