Coursenator: BEST SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSES OFFERED BY EDx IN 2021

"It's not rocket science. It's a social science – the science of understanding people's needs and their unique relationship with art, literature, history, music, work, philosophy, community, technology, and psychology. The act of design is structuring and creating that balance."

-Clement Monk

What is social science about?

Social science refers to a branch of academics that studies human relations and society. Disciplines in social science include Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Economics, Geography, Cultural & Ethical Studies, Research Methods, and Sustainability. In its broadest meaning, social science is the study of society and how people interact with and impact the world around them.

Social science provides information about the world outside of our immediate experience. It can assist in explaining how our society functions, such as the reasons for unemployment or what promotes economic progress, how and why people vote, and what makes people happy. Governments and policymakers, local governments, non-governmental groups, and others can all benefit from it.

Social scientists often have an impact on our lives without our realizing it. A study of crowd behavior during football matches, for example, found that avoiding heavy-handed methods by police can help preserve crowd control in potentially confrontational situations. The conclusions of the study, which include how to create a less hostile environment, are being incorporated into police training across Europe. Similar research findings have inspired policies to lower child poverty and alter the United Kingdom's tax structure to assist poorer families. A study has been utilized by charities like Save the Children to highlight the higher prices paid by the underprivileged for essentials like fuel and banking.

Other areas where social science has an impact on our lives include:

Famous thinkers such as John Maynard Keynes and Karl Popper articulated the function of governments in an increasingly market-based society.
An economist developed the idea for the National Health Service.
The work of social scientists has affected the delivery of billions of pounds in state subsidies to the poor.
Whether you're a parent, a local councilor, a police officer, or a company executive, social science research findings continue to be necessary.

Fields of social science-

what anthropology means

Anthropology is a scientific discipline concerned with social cognition, biology, cultures, and ancient and modern civilizations, including homo sapiens. Social anthropology investigates cultural meaning, including norms and values, while cultural anthropology studies patterns of behavior.

Psychology meaning and definition

The scientific study of the mind and behavior is known as psychology. Psychologists are interested in learning more about mental processes, brain activities, and behavior. Psychology is a "Hub Science" with significant ties to the medical, social, and educational fields (Boyack, Klavans, & Borner, 2005).

What does sociology mean?

The discipline that studies human relationships and institutions is called sociology. Sociology covers a vast range of topics, from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from racial and social class differences to shared cultural ideals, and from societal stability to severe upheaval in entire societies. Sociology's goal of understanding how human activity and consciousness shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social systems unifies the study of these disparate areas.

What law means

Law is a subject and vocation concerned with a community's conventions, practices, and rules of conduct that the community recognizes as binding. Controlling authority is in charge of enforcing the set of rules. The law regulates behavior and is developed and implemented by social or political institutions, with its precise meaning a source of long-running controversy. It's been referred to as a science and an art, among other things. State-enforced laws can be enacted by a group of lawmakers or a single legislator in the form of statutes, by the executive in the form of decrees and regulations, or by courts in the state of precedent, primarily in common law jurisdictions. Individuals can enter into legally enforceable contracts, such as arbitration agreements, that use techniques other than regular court proceedings to resolve disputes.

Economics' meaning

Economics is a social science that analyses how people demand, supply, produce, and distribute goods and services. It investigates how individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make resource allocation decisions. Human behaviors are the center of economics, founded on the notion that humans act rationally, seeking the highest amount of benefit or value. The sciences of labor and trade are the foundations of economics. Because there are so many uses for human delivery and so many different ways to acquire resources, it is up to economics to determine which approaches produce the best outcomes.

What geography means

The study of locus and people's interactions with their area encompassing them is known as geography. Geographers examine both the physical characteristics of the Earth's surface and the human societies that inhabit it. They also look at how human culture interacts with the natural world and how different settings and regions can affect people. Geography is the social science of what is, why they are there, and how they change over time. Initially founded by the Greeks, this term was used to describe the texts and maps that helped them understand their environment. In Greek, geo means "earth," and - graphy means "to write." Greeks learned about their homeland's location about other places, what it was like to live in their own and other areas, and how people and environments were spread geographically. These concerns have dominated geography since

What are ethics studies?

Philosophical, theological, legal, psychological, and sociological studies are examples of ethical studies. A "medical ethicist," for example, is someone who examines ethical norms in medicine.

Cultural Studies is an interdisciplinary topic that investigates how cultures generate and are produced, focusing on theories and practices from various humanities and social science fields.

Research methods and research methodology

Research methodology is the specific approach or manner used to recognize, adapt, operate, and interpret data about a particular theme. The methodology part of a research report helps the reader critically examine the study's overall validity and dependability. Example of research methods - Interviews (unstructured, semi-structured, or structured) Focus groups and group interviews. Surveys (online or physical surveys) Observations

Sustainability

Sustainability entails satisfying our demands without jeopardizing future generations' ability to meet their own. We require social and economic resources in addition to natural resources. Environmentalism isn't the only aspect of sustainability. Concerns for social equality and economic growth are found in most definitions of sustainability. While the notion of sustainability is a novel one, the movement has origins in social justice, conservationism, internationalism, and other long-standing causes. By the end of the twentieth century, many of these ideas had come together in the demand for "sustainable development."

Social science career options

Humanities and social science have become increasingly attractive employment options in recent years. Employers are increasingly looking for young graduates with a background in the humanities and social sciences. In an enormously dynamic national environment, Humanities and Social Science are one of the fastest emerging disciplines. The primary subjects covered in the Humanities area include, but are not limited to, History, Music, Arts, Music, Literature, and Political Science, Anthropology, Archaeology, Social Work, Sociology, and others. Humanities and Social Science were once regarded as unpromising fields of study, and students turned to them as a last choice when they couldn't get into Engineering, Medicine, or Management. However, in recent years, this discipline has attracted the attention of recruiters and regulators, and recruiters prefer to hire students from the Humanities and Social Sciences.

In the Social Science area, the major subjects covered include, but are not limited to, Political Science, Anthropology, Archaeology, Social Work, Sociology, and others. Students who pursue Bachelors and Masters degrees in Humanities and Social Science can find work as Assistant Professors or Teachers, Research Analysts, Editors, Geologists, Museum Curators / Managers, Historians, Language Interpreters, Statisticians, Oceanographic Managers, Linguistic Anthropologists, and Education Counsellors, among other positions. The corporate sector is hiring students with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Humanities, and Social Sciences at attractive wage packages since the retention of professionals in this area is higher than that of experts in other disciplines.

Pie chart - shows employment in the field of social science.

The above pie chart shows the occupations of social science graduates.

The above bar graph shows comparison between Social science, STEM and Arts-humanities career opportunities

Online courses in social sciences -

Anthropology

Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics

The Miracles of Human Language delves into the multifaceted study of languages, which has fascinated humanity from the dawn of time. The student will understand and analyze how their native tongue is related to and distinct from many other languages. This program brings students into the area of linguistics, which deals with the study of languages. The course is excellent if you want a fast introduction to linguistics. For example, if you're thinking about studying it further or interested in a related field like psychology, computer science, or anthropology.

This course is 79.8% five-star reviews by students and as low as 1% one-star ratings by students. Most students claimed this course to be informational; the professors exhibited high levels of professionalism. The format of the study was also appealing to a large number of students. The only complaint seems to be regarding the amount of testing that occurs. The students would be tested thoroughly on the material.

Duration of the course - 23 hours
Institution - Leiden University
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Anthropology of Current World Issues

This course will allow the student to better understand the world around them through utilizing the anthropological lens. The student will discover how anthropology as a subject may provide new views on current global challenges such as indigenous peoples, migration, and material culture. Creators of the course want to challenge students to reflect on their perspective when thinking about these issues, how they see the world, and how we all engage with difference and sameness daily.

Duration of the course - 9 weeks
Institution - University of Queensland
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Language: English

Psychology

Introduction to Psychology

This course is a primer designed to deliver significant knowledge to help students grasp the human condition and motivate them to continue studying and growing. Students will learn about psychology, how psychologists test mental function and behavior, and how the results are communicated in this introductory course. They will have a greater understanding of perception and consciousness, as well as sleep and dreaming mysteries. They will study how the brain is ready for learning and pre-wired for language as children develop.

This particular course has a total of 4306 ratings, 86.6% of which are 5-star ratings, and as low as 0.22% 1-star rating. Most students found the lessons interactive, insightful, and engaging. Most learners thought it ended on a positive note and that the material was exceptional. The complaints relating to this course were minimal, relating to the students' animations.

Duration of the course - 15 hours
Institution - Yale University
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Social psychology

This course covers themes such as decision making, persuasion, group behavior, personal attraction, and factors that promote health and wellbeing in a quick introduction to classic and contemporary social psychology. The focus will be on scientific findings that are surprising, entertaining, and engaging that may be applied in everyday life. One thousand one hundred sixty-three students reviewed the course, 85.2% of which gave it a 5-star rating. The study was engaging, well-explained, relatable, relevant, and applicable in the students' words.

Duration of the course - 38 hours
Institution - Wesleyan University
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

This course provides information about Anxiety, mood problems, and Schizophrenia as common psychological diseases. The student will learn Psychological disorder treatments, how stress influences us, and how to deal with it. The students will also learn about Personality and intelligence theories as well as what normal aging is.

Duration of the course - 7 weeks
Institution - The University of Queensland
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Sociology

Fundamentals of Sociology:

This course serves as an overview of human social behavior, social groupings, and society. The focus of the course is on the fundamental principles and theories of sociology. The student will cross-reference functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism theory's core assumptions in this course. The student will assess the benefits and drawbacks of sociologists' most common research design methodologies. The student will discuss the relationship between culture and the socialization process. The student will be able to differentiate between social interactions and social systems. From the functionalist theoretical position, the conflict theory perspective, and the symbolic interactionist theoretical perspective, the student will examine the nature of the family as a social institution.

Duration of the course - 8 weeks
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Language: English

Classical Sociological Theory

Learners will have access to a variety of resources through this online course. They will receive an overview of the essential classical sociology texts from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The professor will debate prominent social science experts during eight sessions, such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim. Participants will be encouraged to delve thoroughly into the complicated texts and become familiar with classic sociological principles that are still highly relevant today, thanks to mini-tests based on the videos and recommended readings.

637 individuals who attended this course reviewed this course, providing 87% 5-star reviews. Students described this course as a simple, neat, and introductory lesson into the origin of sociology. It is an introductory course and is defined as a perfect first look into sociology.

Duration of the course - 13 hours
Institution - University of Amsterdam
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Law

Justice:

One of the most popular courses at Harvard College is an introduction to moral and political philosophy. Through this, a student will understand Political philosophy's principles. Understanding the differences between social and criminal justice and the roles they play in today's judicial system. The student will better understand the logic behind contemporary topics like affirmative action, same-sex marriage, and equality. Ability to better communicate and evaluate philosophical arguments as well as raise philosophical inquiries.

Duration of the course - 12 weeks
Institution - Harvard
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Introduction to International Criminal Law

From the Nuremberg Trials to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to Somali pirates' conviction, the legal system has seen it all. International criminal law is the most important area of law for world peace and security. This course will cover the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy, and it will be taught by one of the world's leading experts in the area. We'll look at how genocide, war crimes, terrorism, and piracy are classified as international crimes. We'll go through some of the more uncommon types of foreign criminal responsibility, as well as some of the more specialized defenses. We'll also discuss the challenges of obtaining the accused's custody and retaining courtroom control.

Out of the 790 reviews, 86.41% of the reviews are 5-stars. The students claimed the course to be well organized, neatly explained, and covers all bases. Of these reviews, 0.45% are 1-star ratings, as it is too focused on the USA while claiming to be international.

Duration of the course - 13 hours
Institution - Case Western Reserve University
Subject: Social Science
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Language: English

Economics

The Challenges of Global Poverty

To get a better understanding of the specific restrictions and trade-offs faced by the impoverished when choosing decisions. How should empirical research into the success of anti-poverty programs, policies, and interventions be interpreted? (including strengths and weaknesses of study) Fundamental knowledge of the many econometric techniques used in development research will lay the groundwork for more technical development economics courses.

Duration of the course - Sep 1
Institution - MITx
Subject: Social Science
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: Some knowledge of statistics and prior exposure to economics would be beneficial. However, prior knowledge of economics and statistics is not required to comprehend the content and benefit from the course. Throughout the course, students will have access to various materials to help them study or refresh on the most important themes.

Introduction to Economic Theories

This course is the first online economics course taught from a pluralist viewpoint. Economic pluralism refers to the belief that a diversity of theoretical and methodological approaches is desirable in and of itself. It is the best way for economics to grow in its understanding of the world. This course will demonstrate economic heterogeneity not only in terms of content but also in terms of presentation. You'll witness not only an economics professor but also a pop-up business school professor who explains the actor's perspective of businesses, governments, and civil society. Students will also meet an online student from Greece who will guide them through the tutorial videos explaining crucial concepts.

69% of students gave this course a rating of 5 stars, and 5% gave this course a rating of 5%. Most students found this course insightful, helpful to understand financial aspects with relevant examples.

Duration of the course - 41 hours
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Geography

Exploring Humans' Space: An Introduction to Geographic

Through this course, the student can better understand space as a form of perception and practice in everyday life. To better understand space and spatiality, the student will learn how to read and make maps. The student will also understand how space may address digital worlds, urbanization, and globalization, and geography and social sciences are interrelated—an overview of major topics and issues related to spatial agency and spatial justice

Duration of the course - 10 weeks
Institution - EPFLx
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Political Geography

. This course provides A systemic approach to the spatial extent of political processes at all levels, An introduction to the study of political science, International relations, Studies in states, supranational unions, geopolitical systems, regions, borders, capitals, dependent, and internationally governed areas. MGIMO University created the course for a general audience interested in international relations, area studies, history, political science, economics, and law.

Duration of the course - 16 hours
Prerequisites: None

Cultural & Ethical Studies

Global Impact: Business Ethics

The study and analysis of how ethics and global business are linked are known as international business ethics. Commerce is about human interactions because it is about markets, and markets require exchanges between people and groups of people. Working out the scope of these commitments in the interrelationships between firms and the specific local cultures in which they operate is one of the most challenging tasks in global business. The ethical challenges that arise from these encounters, the values-based considerations that a company uses to deal with local concerns, and how an organization can provide economic value while respecting cultural differences are all discussed.

The instructor for this course has received a student rating of 4.55/5 stars, and most students claim that the Ethical decision framework is beneficial and practical.

Duration of the course - 10 hours
Subject: Social Science
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None

Research Methods

Understanding Research Methods

The goal of this MOOC is to debunk the myths surrounding research and research methodology. It will cover the principles of conducting research, focusing on postgraduate students, but not entirely. It prioritizes the student experience by involving students in various vigorous and demanding conversations and activities that reflect SOAS, the University of London's reputation as a research-intensive university with a rich research history. In particular, this course will aid those who have to research as part of their postgraduate studies but do not perhaps have access to research methods courses or for those of you who feel you would like additional support for self-improvement. This course received a high ranking, 72% five stars out of a total of 1734 reviews. This is a beautiful course, especially for research scholars, although a few students suggested that the reading material should have ppts included.

Duration of the course - 6 hours
Institution - University of London
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Language: English

Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences Specialization

This Specialization will help students make solid and evidence-based judgments, identify fascinating questions, analyze data sets, and accurately interpret results. For social science research questions, this Specialization covers research methodology, design, and statistical analysis. In the final Capstone Project, students must use everything they've learned to create their research question, collect data, and utilize statistical tools to analyze and report on the results. Financial aid is available for this course, and there is a 7-day refund policy if need be. The instructors have received very positive results.

Duration of the course - 10 months
Institution - University of Amsterdam
Prerequisites: None
Language: English

Sustainability

Disease, Climate Shocks, and Wellbeing: a Long History of Social Responses to Crisis
Duration of the course - Estimated four weeks
Mode of the course - Self paced
Start and end date - Starts Sep 1, Ends Sep 30
Institution - MITx
Subject: Humanities
Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Language: English

Introduction to Sustainability

This course teaches the academic concept of sustainability and looks at how today's human cultures might adapt to global change, environmental degradation, and resource scarcity. Population, ecosystems, global change, energy, agriculture, water, environmental economics and policy, ethics, and cultural history are topics covered in this course. This topic is crucial because it aims to unearth the principles that will ensure the long-term wellbeing of all people on the globe. This foundation requires intellectual breadth because sustainability is a cross-disciplinary field of study: as described in the class text, understanding motivations necessitates knowledge of the humanities, measuring the challenges of sustainability necessitates knowledge of the sciences (both natural and social), and building solutions necessitate technical insight into systems (such as provided by engineering, planning, and management). Out of 700 reviews, 80% of those were: