You Can Explore our ultimate free guide of SCS 100 4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions.
Instructions of SCS-100 4-2
4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions
Overview
All social science research starts with a question that indicates the human behavior being studied. In this activity, you will draft a research question related to the four advertisements you chose earlier in the course. To do this, you will need to dig deeper into what each advertisement is communicating. Are there any deeper or unspoken meanings besides the obvious goal of selling a product or service?
Prompt
Use the provided Module Four Activity Template Word Document to complete this activity. Revisit your previous assignments to review how individuals, groups, cultures, and stereotypes are presented in your four advertisements. Make sure to also consult the feedback your instructor provided. Based on this information, identify the underlying or socially significant messages communicated by your four advertisements. You will use your analysis to write a social science research question. Finally, explain how you used a social science perspective to help create your research question.
You are not required to answer each question below the rubric criteria but may use them to better understand the criteria and guide your thinking.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
Describe the underlying meanings or socially significant messages each of your advertisements communicates.
In previous activities, you were asked to make objective observations. You can now use the knowledge gained from the course to interpret the social significance of your ads.
What messages about culture, relationships, biases, or social norms are being communicated? Go beyond the surface of the ad and look for deeper meanings.
Write a research question based on a social science perspective and related to at least one of your advertisements.
What patterns or themes did you notice when analyzing your ads? What elements popped out and made you curious? Consider what the ads say about individuals, groups, institutions, or society. If you were to design a sociological, psychological, or anthropological study of your ads, what question would you want to answer?
Your research question only needs to be related to one of your four advertisements. But if you find a common trend in your ads, you may tie your research question to more than one.
It is expected that you will revise your research question, but you will need to finalize it by the end of the next module.
Describe how you used a social science perspective to create your research question.
Each branch of the social sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, and economics) is interested in different aspects of human behavior. Depending on the perspective you chose, how might a sociologist, psychologist, or anthropologist look at your ads? What would they focus on? What types of questions would they want to answer?
Guidelines for Submission
Submit the Module Four Activity Template. While references are not required, if you reference sources in your responses, they should be cited according to APA style. Consult the Shapiro Library APA Style Guide for more information on citations.
Step-By-Step Guide on SCS 100 4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions
Introduction to SCS 100 4-2 Activity
This Owlisdom How-To Guide is crafted to assist students in deeply analyzing advertisements through a social science lens. The SCS 100 4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions involves identifying subtle societal messages within advertisements and formulating research questions that could guide further sociological, psychological, or anthropological inquiry.
Note that you will receive the activity template, a crucial tool for this SCS 100 4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions. I am using the SNHU template as an example. Fill out the “Module Four Activity Template” by following these guidelines to critically analyze the chosen advertisements, focusing on the representation of groups and cultures, the presence of stereotypes, and the influence of personal biases.
Describe the underlying meanings or socially significant messages each of your advertisements communicates. In previous activities, you were asked to make objective observations. You can now use the knowledge gained from the course to interpret the social significance of your ads. What messages about culture, relationships, biases, or social norms are being communicated? Go beyond the surface of the ad and look for deeper meanings.
Analyzing Underlying Meanings in Advertisements
- Review the advertisements and note any repeated themes or depicted social roles.
- Focus on identifying messages about cultural values, social norms, or potential biases. Reflect on how these messages might influence societal perceptions or behaviors.
Write a research question based on a social science perspective and related to at least one of your What patterns or themes did you notice when analyzing your ads? What elements popped out and made you curious? Consider what the ads say about individuals, groups, institutions, or society. If you were to design a sociological, psychological, or anthropological study of your ads, what question would you want to answer? Your research question must only be related to one of your four advertisements. However, if you find a common trend in your ads, you may tie your research question to more than one. You are expected to revise your research question, but you must finalize it by the end of the next module.
Formulating a Research Question
- Based on your analysis, identify one or more patterns that intrigue you.
- Develop a research question that seeks to explore these observations further.
- For instance, consider how an advertisement’s portrayal of family roles might reflect broader societal expectations.
Describe how you used a social science perspective to create your research question. Each branch of the social sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, and economics) is interested in different aspects of human behavior. Depending on the perspective you chose, how might a sociologist, psychologist, or anthropologist look at your ads? What would they focus on? What types of questions would they want to answer?
Applying Social Science Perspectives
- Choose a specific social science perspective—such as sociological, psychological, or anthropological—to frame your research question.
- Consider what a scholar from each discipline might focus on in your chosen advertisement.
- Explain how this perspective helps deepen the understanding of the ad’s impact on society.
Closing
Completing the SCS 100 4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions will deepen your understanding of advertisements’ societal role and enhance your critical thinking and theoretical application skills. This How-To guide encourages you to look beyond the surface to grasp the broader implications of media on social norms and values.
In the next module of SCS-100, we will explore the 5-1 Discussion: Ethics in Advertising and Media.
FAQs
Q 1: What is the importance of identifying underlying messages in advertisements?
Answer: The SCS 100 4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions helps identify underlying messages and understand how ads influence societal norms and values, revealing the more profound impact of marketing beyond just selling products.
Q 2: How does a social science perspective enhance advertisement analysis?
Answer: A social science perspective allows for a deeper analysis of ads, focusing on cultural, psychological, and social dynamics. This helps uncover broader societal implications and influences. For more information, go to the SCS 100 4-2 Activity: Social Science Questions.
