Why sociology, anthropology and political science are fused together in course

Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Sociology are among a collection of associated disciplines devoted to the study of society and the manner in which people influence, and are influenced by, the world around them. These disciplines inform us about the world beyond our immediate experience and help explain human behavior and institutional structures, through space and time.

Courses in Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Sociology may be taken to satisfy general education and transfer requirements as well satisfaction of the Department's four degree programs housed in the School of Social Science and Global Studies: African American Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Global Studies, and Urban Studies.

The world is a complex and diverse place in need of problem solvers. Expand your understanding of the world and acquire the skills needed to become a problem solver by taking a class in Anthropology, History, Political Science, and Sociology, or exploring one of our four degree programs. 

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There is a long debate about the relations between anthropology, sociology and political science.

The relations between anthropology, sociology, and political science can’t be over-emphasized because there is a narrow demarcation among these three disciplines but all of them come from philosophy, so their nature of dealing is almost the same to each other. All these three disciplines are working on humans, society, culture, and practices.

Therefore, we need to analyse each discipline with their relationship with each other.

The term Anthropology is derived from two Greek words ‘Anthropos meaning man and ‘logos’ meaning study or science. Accordingly, anthropology means the study of man. As a science of man, it deals with man, his works, and behavior.

Anthropology studies the biological and cultural development of man. Anthropology has a wide field of study which can be broadly divided into three main divisions such as physical anthropology, Archeology cultural anthropology, and social anthropology.

Physical anthropology studies the bodily characteristics of early man and thereby tries to understand both primitive and modern cultures.

Similarly, Political science is a classical discipline that deals with the study of political phenomena. Its goal is to deepen human understanding of the forms and nature of political action and to develop theoretical tools for interpreting politically meaningful phenomena.

The discipline deals with the traditional fields of public national life, such as democracy, parliaments, politicians, elections, and the government. However, modern politology is not limited to what takes place at the level of the state.

Sociology is the study of how society has developed, how it’s arranged, and how it functions. The social sciences are subjects concerned with how humans interact with the world, and sociology is interested in the study of society.

In many ways, groups act as an individual, and sociology is concerned with how the different parts of the group interact with one another. Sociology also looks at how one group is influenced and influences other groups. The information sociological study provides is useful to government, industry, the military, and individual citizens.

Sociology may be unique among the social sciences because it alone seeks to study all of the other disciplines. The reason is that society, the concern of sociology, contains all of the other disciplines.

Sociology may want to understand the history of society and relate it to the present. Similarly, it could look at the government or political science of society to uncover important implications concerning how a society conducts itself.

A sociologist may also be interested in how individual units within society have a psychology that affects the whole.

Sociology And Political Science

Sociology depends on political science. In the words of Morris Ginsberg, “Historically Sociology has its main roots in politics and philosophy of history.” Sociology greatly benefited from the books written by political scientists like Plato, Aristotle, and Kautilya such as The Republic, The Politics, and Arthasastra respectively.

Each and every social problem has a political cause. Political Science is a part of sociology. Hence sociology depends on political science to comprehend itself. To understand different political events sociology takes help from political science.

Sociology to draw its conclusions depends on political science. Any change in the political system or nature of power structure brings changes in society. Hence Sociology takes the help of political science to understand the changes in society. Hence both are inter-dependent.

Similarly, political science also depends on Sociology. Political Science is a part of sociology. To understand the part, it is necessary to understand the whole. Almost all political problems have a social cause and for the solution of these political problems, political science takes the help of sociology.

State frames its rules, regulations, and laws on the basis of social customs, traditions, and values. Without Sociological background, the study of political science will be incomplete. Political Scientists largely benefited from the research and research methods of the Sociologist. Some consider political science as a branch of Sociology. The state is considered as a social group hence is a subject of Sociology.

Besides, there are some common topics which are being studied by both the subjects. These topics are War, Propaganda, authority, communal riots, and law. With the help of both political science and sociology, a new subject comes into existence which is known as political sociology. Some political events like war are also significant social events.

Thus, both political science and sociology contribute to each other. But in spite of their inter-relationship and inter-dependence both the sciences differ from each other

Sociology and Anthropology

However, there exists a very close and intimate relationship between Sociology and Anthropology. Both contribute to the growth of others. Both are mutually related to each other. Of course, Sociology studies society whereas anthropology studies man. But as man and society are mutually interrelated hence it is very difficult to distinguish between the two. However, their close relationship can be known from the following.

Anthropology contributes to the growth of Sociology. Without the help of anthropology, the study of Sociology can’t be complete. It is a part of Sociology. Anthropology provides knowledge about ancient societies. To have a comprehensive understanding of present society,

Sociology takes the help of anthropology. Contributions of many Anthropologists like R. Brown, Linton, Mead, and Pritchard enrich sociological knowledge. The origin of family, marriage, religion, etc. can be better understood through anthropological knowledge. The concepts like cultural area, cultural traits, and cultural lag, etc. sociology accept from anthropology.

Sociology accepts the anthropological conclusion that ‘racial superiority is not responsible for mental development.’ Thus, Sociology is greatly benefited by anthropological studies.

Similarly, Sociology contributes richly towards the growth of anthropology. Anthropology accepts many concepts of Sociology. The research and contributions of many Sociologists like Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer is of great help to anthropology. Anthropologists greatly benefited from Sociological research. Ideas and conclusions of Sociology contribute to the research in anthropology.

Thus, there exists a great deal of relationship between Sociology and Anthropology. Both study human society and both are concerned with all kinds of social groups like families, friends, tribes, etc. Many of the ideas and concepts are used in both the discipline. Hence both are interrelated and interdependent. But in spite of the inter-relationship both differ from each other.

I hope this article has contributed to the existing debate by focusing on interdisciplinary relations between anthropology, sociology, and political science in terms of theory and practice.