Social science keywords are authoritative terminology that provide integrated analysis across disciplines, expertise and learning. Keywords can simply be terms found throughout a scholarly discourse, they may also be specific ideas, concepts and topics. Think of keywords as just what the term implies-- "keys" essential to opening the social sciences. When studies carefully for their complexity as well as their disciplinary authority, keywords allow for at least three kinds of analysis that are essential for ISS
For a historical and social introduction to a specific keyword, try searching a scholarly encyclopedia. As part of your ISS construction of keywords, you will want to move beyond historical understandings and contextualize the importance and significance of the keyword.
A keyword has significant cultural or social meaning. Keywords help us group or categorize information and resources together, and because of that, they can also be used to help us find information. However, in ISS we apply the Oxford definition of keywords in a specific way to explore social and cultural issues. In your ISS 350, ISS 355, and ISS 401 portfolio courses, you will be asked to identify five Keywords that connect your own intellectual interests with broader social and cultural debates that are significant to contemporary society, and which are studied in the social sciences.
Keywords are often:
After successfully completing The Keyword Project in ISS, you will be able to:
Scholarly encyclopedias offer a thorough and basic understanding of a topic with key terminology. Encyclopedia articles can be used to understand keywords, topics and ideas through time.