Social

and Political Studies

Introduction
Arthur Pormes
Programme lesson 2
Questions about the home work
Assignment Analysis of a current issue with key concepts (North
Korea US)
Notes about page 9-12
Second analysis with key concepts (Bolivia)
Outcome Top 3 social problems

Homework: re-read page 8 12 from the course book Getting to

know Dutch society
Learning goals
You can:
mention the 4 features of a social problem;
mention the 4 themes and key questions of SPS;
describe the key concepts;
identify the key concepts in a context.
Assignment Using the key concepts
What: Watch a news item and answer four questions
How: In pairs
Time: 3 + 5 minutes
Result: Discuss it in the whole group

1. Which values are in conflict?

2. Which interests are at stake?
3. Which means of power are mentioned in the news item?
4. What could we do to influence these events?
http://www.aljazeera.com
Social and Political Studies (SPS) focuses on social problems.

Social problem:
1. Has consequences for large groups;
2. Is caused by social developments, changing situations;
3. Has to do with conflicting interests;
4. Demands a social/joint (political) solution.
The key concepts

Values & norms

Interests
Power
Frame of reference
Values and norms
Value: a basic principle that people consider important and to which
they want to aspire (e.g. freedom, equality, patriotism, tradition).

Norm: view on how people are supposed to behave based on a

certain value (e.g. Drive on the right side of the road; Dont smoke; Do
your homework).
Interests
Interest: something which is to the advantage of an individual or
group, due to their social position.

*The course book gives a different (wrong) definition

Power
Power: being able to forcibly influence the behaviour of
others.

Source of power: something on which power relies (e.g. number of people,

money, knowledge, the law, tradition)

Means of power: means to influence the behaviour of others (e.g. a strike, a

demonstration, weapons, freezing someone's bank accounts, arresting someone,
filing a law proposal)

*weapons source of power >> threatening someone with a gun (means of power)
Frame of reference
Frame of reference: all the knowledge and experiences that one
possess and which influences your perception.
Assignment Using the key concepts (2)
What: Watch a news item and answer four questions
How: In pairs
Time: 3 + 5 minutes
Result: Discuss it in the whole group

1. How is the problem defined by the different actors?

2. Which values are in conflict?
3. Which interests are at stake?
4. Which means of power are mentioned in the news item?
5. Give an argument whether you would be in favour of the new road or not.
http://www.aljazeera.com
Learning goals
You can:
mention the 4 features of a social problem;
mention the 4 themes and key questions of SPS;
describe the key concepts;
identify the key concepts in a context.
Brief assignment Top 3
What is, according to you,
the top 3 of social problems that the
Dutch government should address?

Please write them down on a small

piece of paper.