Social Studies is the present day and historical study of Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Religion, Arts, Technology and Geography. The Geography is separate because it influences so many of the other areas of Social Studies. We use ESPRAT+G as a framework for studying Social Studies. Select the links below with a few guiding questions to learn more about each component.
The ESPRAT + G acronym was created by Don Zimbrick and used extensively in his teaching.
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Economics>
-How wealthy is the country?
-How high is the standard of living in the country?
-Is wealth evenly distributed among various members of society or is it heavily concentrated in one group?
-What resources exist there (natural, human, capital resources?)
-What jobs do people have? How do people make a living?
-What does a person need in order to improve his standard of living?
-What are the imports and exports of the country? Is the place self-sufficient or does it enjoy a wide variety of trading partners? Who are they?
-What is the basic set of “must have skills” one needs to be employable in that place?
-Does a banking and financial system (private stock ownership) exist to fund the growth of enterprises and wealth?
(Connection to political structure)-- does the government regulate business behavior ...or control or fund any businesses? Does the government outlaw private ownership as it did under communism in the Soviet Union?
Sociology>
-How are people in society grouped (classes/genders/roles)?
-What is the basis for those groupings (wealth? land ownership? status given to certain jobs or roles in government and society?)
-What “norms of behavior” do people/classes/genders follow?
-How do people in this place relate to and depend upon each other? Are they in clans, tribes, extended families, single-parent households?
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•Overview II
Political Science (Government)>
-Who governs and what process determines how do they come to be in charge?
-How are the rulers organized to carry out government work?
-What laws (rules) do people have to follow?
-Is having a “strong enough government” balanced with “preserving people’s rights and liberties?” Or is there an imbalance?
-Are laws fair and do they treat people equally?
-What historical documents or traditions outline the rights and responsibilities of citizens?
-In what ways does the government and conditions citizens face reflect the following: democracy, rule of law, a written guarantee of rights, a written constitution, tyranny, dictatorship, oligarchy, monarchy, federalism, theocracy, constitutional monarchy?
-How is justice carried out and is it done “fairly?” Is there a court system and a guarantee of rights to attorney, fast trial and the examination of evidence? What is the basis of determining guilt/innocence and punishment?
-How is tax money collected and allocated?
-Do people have the ability to speak freely, challenge their government or participate in the changing of leadership? Are there means of doing so peacefully or do they does change only come about by violent revolution?
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•Overview II
Religion>
-What are people's beliefs about god, the soul, life and death?
-How are these ideas passed down to future generations?
-What are the religious institutions and organizations like? Are their “leaders” and teachers, centers of learning, organizations for setting up “rules” for followers?
-Is there a set of holy teachings and how much do they affect followers?
-How are people’s lives and behavior shaped by the religious beliefs of people there?
-Is there religious diversity and tolerance there? (Tie to political: does the government influence the people’s religious belief?)
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•Definition II
Arts>
-How do the people express their creativity?
-What are the products (art forms such as poetry, painting, drama, cinema) that show people's creativity?
-What's the artwork like in this society-- its style and tradition?
-What sports do people enjoy?
-How do people dress?
Technology>
-What forms of tools do people have to do their work? Are the tools “advanced” and productive or “backward” compared to the rest of the world’s tools?
-Is the technology of this place ample and well integrated throughout the place and with other places outside its borders?
-Is the education level and literacy rate of the people here (and the number of schools and universities) at a level adequate enough to promote growth and advancement?
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•Effects on Society
Geography>
-How does geography affect each component of ESPRAT? Consider land forms, location in relation to others, availability of trade routes, uniformity of language and tradition.
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•Glossary with Images
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Using ESPRAT as a tool for analysis>
When you look at changes in societies in the past and present, look for possible underlying economic, social, political, religious, artistic and technological changes to help you breakdown and better understand the changes.
Image Source: http://www.ferrum.edu/majors/socstud.jpg
Last Updated: October 22, 2009
