AoK3: Human Sciences -- Lesson 1

In the first lesson, we considered the characteristics of HUMAN SCIENCES as a distinct area of knowledge. To do so, we highlighted a number of ways in which the HUMAN SCIENCES are both similar and different to the NATURAL SCIENCES (AoK#2):

• All sciences, whether natural or human, have to do with inquiry through observation and investigation (i.e. empirical approaches; use of the scientific method). They seek to understand and interpret our natural and social environment. Each science (and those working within the sciences: i.e. natural or human scientists) reveals only one aspect of the human condition.
• The NATURAL SCIENCES investigate the structure and workings of the body, human and other, as biological, physical, and chemical phenomena. They seek to understand and interpret the natural (or physical) environment. Examples of disciplines typically grouped as natural sciences include: Astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.
• The HUMAN SCIENCES examine the behaviour of human beings as social 'animals'. They seek to understand and interpret the social, cultural, and economic environment. Examples of disciplines typically grouped as human sciences include: Anthropology, economics, education, geography, history, law, linguistics, political science, psychology, social work, sociology.

However, whereas natural and human scientists study the natural and social existence of the body, human and other, using empirical methods, the HUMANITIES (and those working within the humanities: i.e. humanists) take largely analytic, critical, or speculative approaches to exploring and understanding the human condition. Humanists do not prioritize empirical approaches and/or rely on the scientific method in their inquiries. Examples of disciplines typically grouped as humanities include: Classics, history, languages, law, literature, performing arts, philosophy, religion, and visual arts.

For Lesson 2, you have been asked to do three things:

1. By Wednesday, April 15th, blog what you understand to be the similarities and differences between HARD and SOFT sciences in 250-300 words. To do so successfuly, you'll need to weave into your blog posting that you've studied WoKs (especially sense perception) and AoK1 (Mathematics) and AoK 2 (Natural Sciences). Please respond in a PERERR format -- i.e.
• make a POINT ("Hard sciences are...")
• provide an EXAMPLE ("An example of a hard science would be...")
• RETELL your example (describe it in your own words to illustrate your point)
• EXPLAIN your example (to develop your example, point)
• RELATE it to another example, experience ("This is similar to...")
• REFLECT upon it (i.e. inject YOUR voice, perspective, experience: "I've never enjoyed the hard science of X because I...").
2. Complete the hand-out's question #2 and bring to lesson 2.
3. Pplay the on-line game from the University of Chicago's Stereotyping and Prejudice Research Laboratory, The Police Officer's Dilemma. After reading the brief 'Paradigm' and 'Basic Findings' sections, scroll down to the bottom and select 'Try a beta version of our test on the web'. Give yourself 10-15 minutes to play and think about your results. Be prepared to talk about your results in Lesson 2.