Subjects

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A Subject

A subject refers to an area or a field of study. It can be called a learning tool or the criteria by which we learn. More precisely, subjects are the parts into which learning can be divided.

A subject can also be defines as a branch of knowledge or a body of knowledge that is being provided to its learner. It is a field or sphere of knowledge in which the learner has chosen to specialise.

It can sometimes be used synonymously with the term ‘discipline’ and can be referred to as a systematic instruction given to the students in a particular area of learning that follows a specific code of conduct.

The word ‘subject’ is also sometimes used synonymously with the term ‘topic’, though ‘topic’ is used in a smaller context; as there can be many topics in one single subject and so on.

A subject or a field of study is a branch of knowledge that is taught and researched at the school, college or university level.

To start with, the most common subjects taught at school level are:

  • English
  • Regional Language(s)
  • Maths
  • Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Physical Education
  • Computer Basics
  • Arts (Drawing)

Fields of study usually have several sub-disciplines or subjects. Largely, the subjects of study can be classified under the following fields of study or broad disciplines:

Humanities:

The Humanities is the branch of learning consisting of academic disciplines that includes the arts, classics, philosophy and history etc., but not the maths or sciences. Humanities is also defined as the study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative and not objective.

Humanities studies mean to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills rather than occupational or professional skills. It can also be said that Humanities is an area of human interest that deal with arts and literature.

The disciplines of the humanities include the following:

  • History
  • Languages and linguistics
  • Literature
  • Performing arts
  • Philosophy
  • Religion and Religious studies
  • Visual arts

Social Sciences:

Social Sciences can be defined as the study of human society and of individual relationships with and within the society. Simply put, social sciences are the academic fields or disciplines that study society.

The term may, however, refer to the original science of society established in 19th century, called sociology. Karl Marx and Max Weber are known to be the principal architects of modern social science read today.

In other words, Social Sciences is scholarly or scientific discipline that deals with the study of sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science and history and thus includes:

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Area Studies
  • Cultural and Ethnic Studies
  • Economics
  • Gender and Sexuality Studies
  • Geography
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Natural Sciences:

Natural Science is one of three divisions of science, the other two being the social sciences — psychology, sociology, economics, etc. — and the formal sciences — mathematics, logic, and statistics.

It is field of study or an academic discipline that uses a scientific method to study nature and whole of the universe.

Some of the most fascinating of the natural sciences are physics and astronomy, the most quantitative fields in all of empirical science. The natural sciences are one of the most important and interesting fields of human efforts and his endeavour to dig the unknown. The subject includes the study of:

  • Chemistry
  • Earth Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Physics
  • Space Sciences

Formal Sciences:

Formal sciences are the branches of knowledge containing disciplines that are concerned with formal systems such as logic, mathematics, computer science, information theory, systems theory, decision theory, statistics, etc to generate knowledge and impart learning.

Unlike other sciences, the study of formal sciences are not based on mere observations, but instead on formal systems based on definitions and rules.

The subjects of study include:

  • Computer Sciences
  • Logic
  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Systems Science

Professions and Applied Sciences:

Applied Sciences are the study of the subjects and disciplines that deals with application of scientific knowledge to practical problems and to achieve desired results. Similarly, applied professions too deals with the application of design and aesthetics to our day-to-day lives. The discipline includes:

  • Agriculture
  • Architecture and Design
  • Business
  • Divinity
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Studies and Forestry
  • Family and Consumer Science
  • Health Sciences
  • Human Physical Performance and Recreation*
  • Journalism, Media Studies and Communication
  • Law
  • Library and Museum Studies
  • Military Sciences
  • Public Administration
  • Social Work
  • Transportation