LUIS FUENTECILLA

Introduction: The Understanding of Culture, Society, and Politics,聽

Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
The Study of Culture, Society, and Politics

Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1.recognize the importance of the study of culture, society, and politics, and

2.identify the subjects of inquiry and goals of anthropology, political science, and sociology.

 What is the significance of having scientific knowledge about culture, society, and politics?
 How do the disciplines of anthropology, political science, and politics help us understand and
make decisions in society?

The Study of Culture, Society, and Politics

Culture is the focus of anthropology, society is for sociology, while politics is for political science.
These are disciplines of the social sciences.

The goal of having these disciplines is to prepare people for active and responsible civic engagement
through the development of critical thought. Exposure to these areas of discipline exposes its learners to
the following:

 social diversity and inequality,

 self-reflective knowledge and practice,
 appreciation of complexity, and
 advocacy for social change and order.

Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humans and their society in the past and present. Dealing with what
makes us human, anthropology delves into objects and materials we have created, our
interconnectedness and adaptability with environment, our lifestyle, our modes of communication, and
our understanding of the world around us.

Goals of Anthropology
 to describe and analyze the biological evolution of mankind
 to describe and assess the cultural development of our species
 to explain and analyze present-day human cultural similarities and differences

Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humans and their society in the past and present. Dealing with what
makes us human, anthropology delves into objects and materials we have created, our
interconnectedness and adaptability with environment, our lifestyle, our modes of communication, and
our understanding of the world around us.

Goals of Anthropology
 to describe and analyze the biological evolution of mankind
 to describe and assess the cultural development of our species
 to explain and analyze present-day human cultural similarities and differences
 to describe and explain human biological diversity today

 ibe and explain human biological diversity today

Political Science
Political science is a social science discipline that deals with systems of government and the analysis
of political activities and political behavior. Primarily, it helps people gain an understanding of “who
gets what, when they get it, and how they get it.”

Political science helps us understand politics, political institutions and behavior, public policy, and
philosophical concepts, such as justice, equality, fairness, and liberty, and how the said subject matters
affect economy, public and private life, law, and public services.

Goals of Political Science

 for people to be immersed in current affairs
 to build an understanding of local, national, and international politics
 to assist people in learning how political activities are organized in and out of our country
 to provide substantially critical and scientific contribution to government and society

Sociology
Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. This discipline mainly focuses on
society—its functions, its members, and its diversity.

Specifically, sociology tackles the basic unit of the society—the family, the functionality and relevance
of state as an important human institution, social issues on religion, crime, race, social class, and the
stability and instability of societies.

Goals of Sociology
 to guide in understanding intrapersonal factors
 to build a better understanding of mankind
 to aid in decision-making in the micro and macro level
 to gather systematic information from which to make a decision, provide insights into what is
going on in a situation, and present alternatives

Explore!
Why is it important for the study of culture, society, and politics to be included in the school
curriculum?
Try it!
Cite three practical situations where knowledge of anthropology, political science, and sociology can
be applied.

What do you think?

Which among the three social science disciplines is most relevant in your life?

Tips
 The study of culture, society, and politics will prepare people for active and responsible civic
engagement through the development of critical thought.
 Learning the areas of anthropology, sociology, and political science exposes its learners to
social diversity and inequality, self-reflective knowledge and practice, appreciation of
complexity, and advocacy for social change and order.

Keypoints
 Anthropology is a social science discipline that studies humans and their society in the past
and present.
 Political science is a social science discipline that deals with systems of government and the
analysis of political activity and political behavior.
 Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions.