MARY WARD CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL

Centre for Self-Directed Learning

3200 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1V 3S8 Phone: (416) 393-5544 Fax: (416) 393-5768

Grade 11 ISAP (HSP 3U/C)

Introduction to the Social Sciences
Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

Student Subject
Name: Teacher:

Class Date Teacher

Section: Submitted: Advisor:

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION TIME EVALUATION CATEGORY MARKS

SECTION A: INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
_____ Task 1: Introduce Yourself! 0.5 hr Presentation Thinking 10
_____ Task 2: Inquiry in the Social Sciences 1.0 hr Guide Knowledge Level
_____ Task 3: Better Living Through Social Science 0.5 hr Guide Knowledge Level
_____ Task 4: Asking The Right Questions 0.5 hr Guide Knowledge Level
_____ Teacher Check
SECTION B: SOCIAL SCIENCE IN THE WORLD
_____ Task 5: Pierre Lebrun 1 hr Guide Knowledge 9
_____ Task 6: Analyzing a Killer 2.5 hr Presentation C/A 20

Total Time: 6.0 hrs Revision 3.0: September 2021

 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

Expectations: These are the things you will be learning in this unit.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS: SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS
REASEARCH AND INQIRY SKILLS: A1; A3 RESEARCH AND INQUIRY SKILLS: A3.4; A4.2; A4.3

ANTHROPOLOGY: B1 ANTHROPOLOGY: B1.1;

PSYCHOLOGY: C1 PSYCHOLOGY: C.1.1

SOCIOLOGY: D1 SOCIOLOGY: D.1.1

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

SECTION A: INTRODUCTION TO THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Social Science is the study of society and human behaviour, focusing on the organized study of
human customs, practices, and interactions. Social science is a lens that allows you to better
understand yourself, others, and society. Your work in this unit will provide you with an
overview of the social sciences and you will explore the approaches of psychology,
anthropology, and sociology in understanding humanity.

TASK 1: INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

In the following assignment, you will be creating a slide presentation to introduce yourself to
your class, both your peers and instructor. Your presentation should be no longer than 3
minutes in length. Make sure to present it in a visually interesting way.

INSTRUCTIONS: Follow these instructions carefully.

 Create a slide presentation that does the following:

1. Share / introduce your identity to the class. You may want to share things such
as your favourite music, books, art, culture or foods.
2. What is the best/worst thing about being back in school?
3. Why did you take this course? What did you want to learn?
4. Which of the 3 social science (psychology, sociology, anthropology) do you find
most interesting? Why?
5. Look through the course material (textbook, online materials, etc.). Identify a
single concept or idea that you found interesting. Why would you want to learn
more about it?

 Submit your slide presentation as per the instructions of your teacher.

 NOTE: submit your presentation as both a slide format and in PDF.

TASK 2: INQUIRY IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

READ pages 2-11, in the Unit 1 Reading Package (Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology,
and Sociology).

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

ANSWER the following questions based on what you have learned.

Question 1: Define social science.

Question 2: Define and identify areas of study for the 3 major branches of social science.
Identify 1 key social scientist in each. Identify 1 potential career related to each field of study.
(Hint: see pages 7 to 9 in Reading Package 1)
POTENTIAL
FIELD OF STUDY DEFINITION / WHAT IS STUDIED? KEY FIGURE
CAREERS

Anthropology

Psychology

Sociology

Question 3: Complete the table below by describing how each social science field uses research
methods.
FIELD RESEARCH METHODS USED

Psychology

Anthropology

Sociology

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

Social Science involves asking questions as a beginning to research. It is important to ask the
right type of questions.

Question 4: What are the types of questions asked by social scientists? Provide an example of
each.

Question 5: Copy out the social inquiry model in the space provided below.
(Hint: see pages 11 in Reading Package 1)

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

TASK 3: BETTER LIVING THROUGH SOCIAL SCIENCE

The social sciences can contribute to human society RESOLVING ISSUES and IMPROVING
QUALITY OF LIFE of those in society.

READ pages 4-9, in chapter 1 of the textbook The Human Way, you can do
this by going to the following link https://tinyurl.com/y653b97s or scanning
the QR CODE.

ANSWER the following questions based on what you have learned.

Question 1: The social sciences can contribute to human society by improving the quality of
life and resolving issues. Complete the tables below by providing a detailed example of how
social sciences have done this, based on your reading.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE

RESOLVING ISSUES

Question 2: Brainstorm some issues that could be studied by social science. These issues can
be in your school, your local community, national, or global.

List one of them below. Explain why in interests you.

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

TASK 4: ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Social scientists ask open-ended questions about the events they observe in the world around
them. Asking open-ended questions leads to research allowing a social scientist to not only
explore and understand an event or issue but to potentially solve real-world problems.

REVIEW the Spotlight on Social Science: What Would You Do in the Unit 1 Reading Package
(page 4). Pay special attention to the types of questions asked by sociologists, anthropologists,
and psychologists.

NOW:

 Answer the following two questions:

1. Identify an issue/event which could be studied by the social sciences in your

community. Pick an issue that is personally relevant to you. Provide some
descriptive details of this issue/event.

2. Identify at least one potential open-ended questions that a social scientist might
ask about this event which could lead to research of potential solutions.

 Your answers can be in a written response or through a video blog.

SECTION B: SOCIAL SCIENCE IN THE WORLD

BIG IDEA: in the following tasks you will explore the assumptions used by
anthropologists, psychologists, and sociologists in analyzing people’s
behaviour. In this case, an analysis of the criminal behaviour.

COMPLETE task 6 with a PARTNER Figure 1: Pierre Lebrun,

with no criminal record
killed 4 of his co-
workers.

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

TASK 5: PIERRE LEBRUN

READ pages 10-14, in chapter 1 of the textbook The Human Way, you can do
this by going to the following link https://tinyurl.com/y653b97s or scanning
the QR CODE.

ANSWER the following questions based on what you have

Question 1: Create a timeline of events involving Pierre Lebrun, as explained in your reading.

Question 2: Complete the table below by summarizing the different social scientists’ analyses
of the Pierre Lebrum incident.
(VALUE: 9 MARKS)
PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIOLOGICAL ANTRHOPOLOGICAL
QUESTION
ASSUMPTION
EXPLANATION

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

TASK 6: ANALYZING A KILLER

RESEARCH an infamous criminal and choose a social science lens to analyze this criminal.
Preference should be given to North American criminals within the last 70 years. For example,
you can select a rampage/spree killer or serial killer.

CONSULT with your teacher about your choice. Once a criminal is selected, no other group
can select them. Your teacher will authorize your choice.

CREATE a group of 2 people to complete the assignment. Note groups of 3 or 4 are possible.

CREATE a presentation which can be shared digitally which:

 Provides a biography of the criminal. This must include background (childhood,

profession, family details, country of origin, etc.).

 Explains why the criminal is infamous and provides details of the crime.

 Choose ONE of the social sciences (psychology, anthropology, or psychology) and

construct an analysis of the killer. What type of questions would be asked? What
assumptions are made? What explanations might be given for criminal behavior?

o NOTE: if you are in a group of 3 people, your analysis must include 2 social
science lenses. If you are in a group of 4 people, your analysis must include all 3
social science lenses.

 Explain why you chose the given social science for your analysis. If your analysis includes
more than 1 social science lens, explain which social science lens you feel is most
appropriate (best).

SHARE your presentation with the class. When sharing your presentation (1) introduce
yourselves; (2) briefly describe the killer selected and the social science lens used in your
analysis, and (3) attach your presentation. Remember to ATTACH your presentation so others
can view it.

Provide FEEDBACK (individually) for ONE someone else’s presentation. Do this by

REPLYING to their post (click the reply button). In your reply, give feedback or suggest other
potential questions asked by a different social science lens.

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 HSP 3U/C Unit 1: Introduction to the Social Sciences

SUBMIT your presentation and this unit guide to your teacher when completed. Do this by
email, through the class website, or by providing the presentation directly to your teacher.

The Unit Guide is now FINISHED !!!!!

SUBMIT this unit guide to GET your next unit guide.

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