Literary vs social science works of reading

Essay by rippedfauvUniversity, Bachelor'sA, December 2002

download word file, 7 pages 5.0

Social Science and Literary Perspectives:

Slave Trade and Colonialism

The African Slave Trade and Colonialization of Africa have just as much affect on African History as well as that of the entire World's population. Writers struggle with the contrasting styles of social science and literature to best ensure that knowledge is found through both realms in order for us to learn more of the African cultures that most of us know so little about. Books based around either genre have a certain focus to them that makes each have a specific purpose, in regards to the topic in which they try to tackle. The differences between each method are evidently apparent; these two techniques of writing have their own specific strengths and weaknesses. In most circumstances, both of these perspectives are needed for the full comprehension of a certain aspect of which they are written for. Colonialism and the Slave Trade of Africa do not stray at all from this observation.

One style or writing has strengths that support the other style through weaknesses in their own methodology in interpreting an event, that's why the use of both perspectives allows for a greater feel for the Slave Trade and Colonialism of Africa.

What exactly do I mean by literary and social science perspectives? There is of course the dictionary's thought as to what each are: Imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value (Literature) Vs. The writing of human society and of individual relationships in and to the society of which they are apart of (Social Science). The two definitions of each are both well and good, but looking for their own meaning through my experience seems more logical. At least in terms of books we have read in class, works written through the literary perspective have more feelings...