1. AOK Human Sciences (Lesson 3)How do Human Sciencesinvestigate the world? How do Human Sciences differfrom other disciplines

2. How do Human Sciences investigatethe world? This is a Labour Party Political Broadcast by Eddie Izzard, a comedian. It is biased and presents one side of the argument !Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZDreHPzU94What evidence does Eddie Izzard provide that Britain is brilliant ? Would this approach convince a natural scientist ?What is his view about quantitative data as shown by the first section of the broadcast ?What is his message ? How do you know ?! 3. 3 Philosophical Approaches toresearch in the Human Sciences Positivism Interpretivism Critical Theory 4. Positivism Scientific method The Human Sciences can be studied in the sameway as the Natural Sciences Quantitative (counting and measuring) Objective Replicable experiments Seeking Truth, Laws, Models, PredictionIn what ways is the Stanford Experiment anexample of positivist method ? 5. Interpretivism The process of interpretation The Human Sciences are more complex than theNatural Sciences Qualitative (interviews, photographs) Subjective The importance of context Seeking Insight, UnderstandingIn what ways would the Eddie Izzard clip be anexample of an interpretivist method ? 6. Critical Theory Looking for underlying patterns / themes The Human Sciences can only be understood ifwe look for underlying meaning Structuralism The importance of politics Seeking Explanation through studying events aspart of a wider process and pattern 7. Hong Kong (1) Since the colonial power left Hong Kong in 1997 it has been able to overcome the post colonial challenges it faced and develop a more equal and productive economy and society. Its success is due to the enterprise and attitudes of the local people. Further development is threatened by its lack of democracy and Chinese interference but the liberal society allows the community to flourish. Hong Kong is a great place to live. 8. Hong Kong (2) In recent years the GDP of Hong Kong has grown rapidly (on average by x % per annum ) and been based on growth in the financial sector (Hang Seng rose from y to z between 1997 and 2008) and trade. As a result, average incomes have risen by p% and the standard of living is now q% higher. Homeless numbers have dropped by r% in the last 10 years. Hong Kong is a great place to live. 9. Hong Kong (3) The Chief Executives report shows us how much progress has been made in recent years in both the economy and society. He argues that the careful, light touch approach of his Government is working very well. We interviewed 10 Hong Kongers who told us that they were happy and that their lives had improved in recent years. Hong Kong is a great place to live. 10. Task 11. Match each of the paragraph descriptions with the philosophical approach and briefly explain your decision2. For one of the following issues, attempt to write a paragraph from each philosophical standpointThe growth of cities The recent financial crashThe situation in Palestine 11. Discussion Questions In what ways are the Natural and Human Sciences different ? If different methods of study produce contrasting results, how can we decide which is correct ? Does the complexity of studying Human Sciences make them a richer area for research or just a harder one ? 12. Clifford Geertz Believing, with Max Weber, that man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun, I take culture to be those webs, and the analysis of it to be, therefore, not an experimental science in search of laws but an interpretive one in search of meaning 13. Howework Task1. Put Geertzs quotation into your own words.2. Do you agree ? Explain. 14. AOK Human SciencesWhy do we research the HumanSciences ? (Lesson 4) Racism Case StudyPolitical choices 15. Obama ends racism ?!What point is thecartoon making aboutObamas election ?What do you thinkwould end racism ? Isit possible ? 16. Racism through the Ages (Australia)What point is thiscartoon makingabout racism ?How has racismchanged over theages ? 17. Asian Racism ? Is this racism, discriminatio n or prejudice ? Who else suffers from racism in Hong Kong Why ? Is racism a natural part of the human 18. Racism in politicsMost immigrants to the UK are from EasternEurope (white) !Why does the BNP represent immigrants in 19. BNP viewsThink aboutWill Britain Be British in 30this excerptfrom the Years Time? Not if the ToriesBritishand Labour Have Their WayNational Mass immigration policiesPartyWebsite. pursued by both Labour and Conservative parties hasWhat caused English-speakingevidence ischildren to become a minoritythere thatthey are in 1,500 schools in Britain andracist if left unchecked, will seevalues ? British people reduced to anContrastthese values absolute minority within 30 20. Who should I vote for ? Weigh up the Weigh up the valuesstatistical claimsand beliefs of differentmade by different parties .parties. Which set of values Do theand beliefs do youpositivist, statistical think will be best forarguments that have the country ?been presentedconvince you ? 21. Plenary Tasks Use evidence from discussions and your wider understanding to explain why it is important to study the Human Sciences ? What are the Human Sciences able to contribute to knowledge ? What are the main difficulties with this AOK ?