UNDERSTANDING

CULTURE, SOCIETY
AND POLITICS
Quarter I – Week I
Course Description:

This course uses insights from Anthropology, Political

Sciences, and Sociology to develop students’ awareness on
cultural, social and political dynamics, and sensitivity to cultural
diversity; provide them with an understanding of how culture,
human agency, society, and politics work; and engage them in
the examination of the country’s current human development
goals. At the end of the course, students should acquire ideas
about human cultures, human society and politics; recognize
cultural relativism and social inclusiveness to overcome
prejudices; and develop social and cultural competence to guide
their interactions with groups, communities, networks, and
institutions.

Instruction:

• Read each section carefully.

• Do not write anything on this module as several students will
be using it. Do all your work in your notebook, paper, and
activity sheet. Be sure to label your work by the lesson number
and title. Keep a separate notebook for your Reflective Journal.
• Each lesson begins with a brief introduction or overview
followed by a list of Objectives you are expected to learn.
• Before working on the activities of each lesson answer the Test
Your Knowledge section to gauge your prior knowledge about
the lesson.
• As you work on the lesson activities, try to relate them with the
objectives of this Module.
• After each page, go over the What do you think? box to find out
how well you fared in the discussion.
• Read the instruction under Reflect Mo? and accomplish what is
being asked. You may use your Reflective Journal for this
purpose.
 Week 1
THE NATURE, GOALS AND PERSPECTIVE OF
ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND POLITICAL
SCIENCES

Lesson Overview
This chapter allows the learners to see the intersection and
connection between anthropology, sociology, and political
sciences in the understanding of culture, society, and politics.

Objectives

• Define anthropology, sociology, and political science as a

discipline of social sciences;
• Explain the nature, goals and perspectives of each the
Discipline;
• Recognize the importance of social sciences disciplines in
understanding culture, society, and politics; and
• Analyze the role that each discipline – Anthropology,
Sociology, and Political Sciences – plays in understanding
culture, society and politics.

Test your prior knowledge

• Browse through your respective social media accounts

(Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok and other social media
flatforms). Observe how your lives have been changing as a
result of this mode of social communication. Who are the
members of your online community? With whom do you
share your files or information? What type of social
relationship has been changing due to your use of social
media? Analyze how this avenue of communicating has
affected even your current concept of modernity.
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Observe the above cartoon showing what typically happens to a
Philippine urban setting during flooding caused by outpouring of rain.
While flooding is an outcome of a given environmental condition, it
could not be denied that it has become a social, political, economic,
historical, and demographic condition as well. Examine all possible
aspects of Filipino situation related to his phenomenon in our country.
What familiar scenes or scenarios can you identify? Expound on each
and every aspect of Philippine social life and setting based on this art,
taking note of the reasons why this phenomenon happens and what
forces or factors contribute to this. Discuss your thoughts and finding.
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 What is Science
Science is both a body of knowledge and a
process. In school, science may sometimes seem like a What do
collection of isolated and static facts listed in a you think
textbook, but that's only a small part of the story. Just
as importantly, science is also a process of discovery Henry Charles Carey
that allows us to link isolated facts into coherent and – “Man, the molecular
comprehensive understandings of the natural world. of society, is the
subject of social
According to Merriam-Webster, Science is a form science”
of intellectual and practical activity encompassing the
systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the Do you agree with
physical and natural world through observation and Henry Charles, that
experiment. man as a subject of
social science?
According to Britannica Inc., Science, any system
of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world What does
and its phenomena and that entails unbiased “Science” mean to
observations and systematic experimentation. In you?
general, a science involves a pursuit of knowledge
covering general truths or the operations of
fundamental laws.
Basically science, is a system of knowledge that is
concern in providing description, prediction, and
explanation/understanding of the physical world and
its phenomena.
Science has two category that is Natural Science
and Physical.

Science Similarities Social

Both sciences employ the
The methodology of
same scientific model in
natural or physical
science is often order to obtain
characterized as fixed information. Some
and straightforward, branches of each science
with the constant even employ.
element of standard
measurements. Both natural and social
Physical and natural science components. Both
sciences work in a have general laws that
closed system where have numerous
variables can be applications.
controlled, and the
work is executed Both use empirical and
within a particular measured data that is
framework or
observable by the senses.
paradigm.
Additionally, theories in
both sciences can be
tested to produce
theoretical statements
and general propositions.
Social sciences revolve
around the behavior of
humans as a people or
human societies, their
production, and
operations.
This type of science is
also very concerned
with cultural and
human contexts and
tries to explain how
the world works. Its
main aim is to study
the complex and ever-
changing phenomena
that occur in human
and social life as well
as their interactions
with one another.
 Introduction to Social Sciences
Social sciences has origin in the common stock of
Western philosophy and shares various precursors, but
began most intentionally in the early 19th century with
the positivist philosophy of science. Since the mid-20th
century, the term "social science" has come to refer
more generally, not just to sociology, but to all those
disciplines which analyze society and culture; from WORD WATCH
anthropology to linguistics to media studies.
“Everyday life” – In
The idea that society may be studied in a social science,
standardized and objective manner, with scholarly everyday life has
rules and methodology, is comparatively recent. While gone beyond its
there is evidence of early sociology in medieval Islam, usual definition and
and while philosophers such as Confucius had long usage; it has come to
since theorized on topics such as social roles, the mean a pattern of
scientific analysis of "Man" is peculiar to the activities of a group
intellectual break away from the Age of Enlightenment of people within a
and toward the discourses of Modernity. society and thus a
good source of
In todays time, social science is called the information about
“Science of Society.” It focuses on studying the the structures of
following: (1) Changes in human relationship brought their lives,
about by events; (2) Interactions between humans and worldview, and
their social and physical environment; (3) Effects and individual decisions
implications of past events to the present time; and (4) and struggles.
Social systems, process, and institutions – and how
humans relate to these.

FACT CHECK Social Science has been given an array of

definitions by many authors, depending on the
“Society and situation at the time. The following are some prominent
Community” may seem definition given by people in the field of Social
ordinary, but in social Sciences:
sciences, they are big 1. Peter Lewis – “Social Sciences are concerned
ideas that have steered with the laws that govern society and the social
the emerging discipline department of man.” So, we can say that social
into full-blown sciences embraces all those subjects which deal
academic inquiry in the with the human affairs. The social sciences overlap
late 18th to early mid- each other.
19th century.
2. Merriam-Webster - “A branch of science that deals
Both society and with the institutions and functioning of human
community are society and with the interpersonal relationship
categories that of individuals as members of society.”
contains strings of 3. Mitchell – “Social Science is any study concerning
meaning and man and society. It should refer the application of
components that are scientific method to the study of the intricate
fundamentally in and complex network of human relationship and
opposition with one the form of organization designed to enable
another. people to live together in societies.”
Disciplines under Social Sciences
Social science is both multidisciplinary and FACT CHECK
interdisciplinary. Like natural and physical science
wherein it carries various branches within, same In the 19th century, the
goes with social sciences that have various fields considered as
branches called disciplines. social sciences were
jurisprudence and
The main discipline are: Anthropology,
Sociology, Economics, Geography, amendment of the law,
Demography, History, Political Sciences and education, health,
Psychology. economy, trade and
art.
Each disciplines carries a different lens –
imagine looking at one issue using differently- In the 20th century
colored eyeglasses. onwards, social
According to David Sills, editor of the sciences began
International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, including other areas
social sciences differ in their scope from one that are outside of the
generation to another, making the areas under natural sciences
social sciences flexible.
Anthropology Sociology Psychology
Considered as the The study of the The study of the mind
complete “Science of origins, organization, and the ways of
Man,” because it
focuses on the and institutions, and thought in an attempt
integration of Social development of human to explain the ways
Sciences, Humanities, beings and how these people think, act and
Physical Sciences, and findings apply to feel. It is the science of
Human Biology. society today. mental process and
The study of the origin behavior. The emotions
and the physical, are studied.
social, and cultural
development and
behavior of humans.
Economics Political Sciences Geography
The production, The organizations
distribution and The distribution of the
people have developed features of the physical
consumption of to make rules and laws
resources, goods and environment and of the
for their society. people who use those
services among
individuals and groups features
within a society.

What do “Man by Nature is a political

animal.” - Aristotle
you think Do you agree with Aristotle, that
man is a political animal in nature?
Goals, Nature, and Perspective
Anthropology ETYMOLOGY
of Word:
According to Gwaynne and Hicks, 1994 -
“Anthropology is the study of people and all the Sociology – “Socius”
things they do, think, say and make”. Same with means companion,
Jary and Jary, 2005 said that “Anthropology is the while “Logos” mean
study of human beings, divided into the branches study.
of biologically oriented, physical anthropology and
social oriented, social anthropology” Anthropology -
According to Havilland, W. A.1975 “Anthrop” means man
“Anthropology the study of human kind or human, while
everywhere, throughout time , seeks to produce “Logos” means science
useful generations about people and their behavior or study.
and to arrive at the fullest possible understanding
of human diversity”. Political Science –
“Polis” means
With these definition we can say that the city/sovereign state,
characteristic of Anthropology focus mainly on: (1) while “Scire” means to
study of human beings; (2) scientific process; (3)
explain human diversity; (4) Tendency to make know/study
generalization.
Finally, we can say that anthropology describe the distinctive feature of
different culture, organization fundamental similarity among human being
around the world. In terms of nature, scope, and fields of anthropology differs
from one another, because anthropology have two scope and fields these are
Physical/Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology and Applied
Anthropology.
Biological anthropology, also known as
physical anthropology, is a scientific
FACT CHECK discipline concerned with the biological
Franz Boas – and behavioral aspects of human
beings, their extinct hominin ancestors,
is widely and related non-human primates,
considered to particularly from an evolutionary
be one of the perspective.
greatest and
most Cultural anthropology refers to the
influential customary ways of thinking and
behaving of a particular population or
anthropologist. society. It includes language, religious
At the same beliefs, food preferences, music, work
time Boaz also habits, gender roles, how they rear their
to be children, how they construct their
considered the houses, and many other learned
“Father of behaviors and ideas that have come to
Modern be wildly shared or customary among
Anthropology” the group. Sub-classification under
cultural anthropology are: Archeology,
Linguistics, and Ethnology.

What do “If we insist that war is a fight between two independent

and politically organized groups, war does not occur at
you think the primitive level.””― Bronisław Malinowski
Do you agree with Malinowski, in terms of war causes?
 Applied anthropology refers to the application Insights
of method and theory in anthropology to the
analysis and solution of practical problems. Archeology - It is the
Inasmuch as anthropology proper comprises four study of past cultures,
sub-disciplines -- biological, cultural, linguistic, primarily through their
and archaeological anthropology -- the practical material remains.
application of any of these sub-disciplines may
properly be designated "applied anthropology". Linguistics -
For example, ethnography may involve assessing interdisciplinary study
the current and recent historical cultural of how language
characteristics of the community, linguistics may influences social life.
be applied to restoring language competence, and Ethnology - the study
biological, or more specifically "medical" of the characteristics of
anthropology may be applied to determine the various peoples and the
factors contributing to dietary deficiency diseases, differences and
etc. relationships between
Based on the characteristic and classification them.
of Anthropology, Anthropologists across the
subfields use unique perspectives to conduct their
research. These perspective make anthropology
distint from related disciplines – like history,
sociology, and psychology — that ask similar
questions about the past, societies, and human
nature. The key anthropological perspectives are
holism, relativism, comparison, and fieldwork.
There are also both scientific and humanistic
tendencies within the discipline that, at times,
conflict with one another.
These are the different goals of anthropology: Discover
what all people have in common – by studying
commonalities (folklores, traditions, language, etc.) in
all humanity; Produce new knowledge and new
theories about humankind and human behavior –
This new knowledge is then applied in an attempt to
alleviate human challenges; Discover what makes
people different from one another in order to
understand and preserve diversity – Anthropology
attempts to answer questions like, “What does it mean
to be a Filipino and a citizen of the world?” It is not
enough that anthropologists find out the characteristics
that make Filipinos unique, it is also important to
emphasize the Filipino traits that makes them “one”
with the rest of the world; Look at one’s own culture
more objectively like an outsider – It aims to make
“the strange familiar and the familiar strange.”
Anthropology also challenges individuals to evaluate
and criticize their own culture. This is important so that
people will be aware of the faults in their own culture
and make necessary changes for its betterment.

Anthropology demands the open-mindedness with which

What do one must look and listen, record in astonishment and
wonder that which one would not have been able to guess. –
you think Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropogist
Do you agree with Mead in his statement regarding
Anthropology?
 Sociology
Society has been defined as a relatively self
sufficient, usually large group of people who maintain
direct or indirect contact with each other through a
culture. Culture is generally understood as the shared
language, beliefs, goals, artefacts and experiences that
combine together to form a unique pattern. In other
FACT CHECK words, culture is a society’s way of life.
During 19th
century sociology The French Philosopher, Auguste Comte is known
emerged as a as the “Father of Sociology”. He coined the word
separate social Sociology to define the Systematic study of Social
science in Europe phenomena in their social setting. He proposed the
and its objective theory of Positivism- the theory that sees society as the
was the study of result of three stages of historical development : The
society. In the theological stage , Metaphysical Stage and Scientific
same actions list of Stage .The Theological Stage: The developmental period
sociology emerged from the beginning of the human life to the end of
in the field those European Middle age
are: August Comte,
A sociologist is interested in the general study of
Spencer and Emile
social behavior as it occurs in groups (large or small),
Durkheim.
and lays special stress on understanding social life in
They sought and the contemporary world. The word 'general' has been
establish the idea used as other social science disciplines deal with more
of society as a specific areas. It is, however, difficult to draw an exact
matter of study line of difference. Social psychology, social
that is unique in anthropology, political science and economics are all
itself. in a sense.
Insights
As sociology is a relatively young discipline
compared with the discipline of philosophy, economics Ferdinand Tonnies
and political science, sometimes, people confuse it with (1855- 1936), a noted
social work. German sociologist,
while examining
Sociology is used in the discipline of social work to different kinds of
analyze and understand social problems. Social work is societies found that
concerned with the uplift of those socially deprived, there were two kinds of
physically handicapped, etc. Sociology is not concerned social groups:
with the reformation of society as such nor is it directly Gemeinschaft and
involved in social planning or directed change. The Gesellschaft.
sociological understanding and research can help in
better planning and in finding ways and means of Gemeinschaft means
acceptance of improved practices, in the formulation of broadly "a communal”,
development policies and programs. It is generally or “traditional society".
accepted that sociologists do not interfere with social Gesellschaft are
process. They are supposed to be value-neutral, i.e., societies have often
they are not supposed to have any bias or prejudice in contractual
the analysis of the social behavior. There are, however, relationships which are
at present, some who question this and feel that on the basis of clear
sociologists must take an active role in the development cut, legal contracts.
process.
“Man is a moral being, only because he lives in society.
What do Let all social life disappear and morality will disappear
you think with it. – Emile Durkheim
Do you agree with Durkheim, in terms of morality?
 Scientific study of sociology enable us to: (1)
Obtain possible theories and principles about society
as well as various aspects of social life; (2) Critically
study the nature of humanity, which also leads to
examining our roles within the society; (3)
Appreciate that all things (in society) are
interdependent with each other. An individual’s
personal history is connected to his/her
environment’s history, which is also tied into the
nation’s history; (4) Broaden our familiarity on
sociological facts, which are acquired through
empirical process. Incidentally, it makes us realize
our prejudices on various social issues; and (5)
Expose our minds to the different perspectives on
attaining the truth. For instance, some theorists
(especially social philosophers) argue that the truth
is relative. This sociological viewpoint diminishes the
theory that there is an absolute truth. Furthermore,
the determination whether an action/behavior is
Aristotle good or bad depends on one’s social norms.

Find at least (5) five things that change before and after the
To Do List: COVID-19 Pandemic within your community. Example: No Mass
gathering of people in basketball court (P.S. Please strictly follow
the protocol in your barangay or community before doing such.)
Political Sciences
Political Science is an academic discipline that
deals with the study of government and political FACT CHECK
processes, institutions, and behaviors.
Aristotle as the
The study of Politics has something to do with “Father of Political
power – who wields it and how it is used. Therefore, it Science”. Because
is important to study politics to understand society and Aristotle was the first
to help change it for the better. This means that Political thinker who
political science is not just for politicians or for aspiring gave his theories based
lawyers instead, it is also a give and take relationship on empirical basis.
between the government (as a state apparatus) and its Because he studied
people (as a subject). 158 constitutions of his
times and done
Due to the negative connotations of politics, the comparative analysis.
term is now applied to many different social situations. Then he classified
For example, politics is present when a teacher is political system
bribed to include a certain student in the honor list or comparatively. He
when an employee spreads rumors against his/her proposed solutions
officemate to get ahead in a promotion. which could be
Politics is often used synonymously with implemented of
government, however, the two (2) are distinct from each problems of political
another. system.

What do “We do not condemn it because it is a crime, but it is a

you think crime because we condemn it.” – Emile Durkhiem

Do you agree with Durkheim view of crime?

 The government that takes shape in a country is a reflection of the country’s
political philosophy. While government typically refers to the established legislative
and executive departments of a nation or state, politics is a broad term that is related
to the power sharing in any organization. In other words, politics is an idea while
government is the concrete realization of that idea.
Government as the agency to which the will of the state is formulated,
expressed, and carried out. At the same time government became a organized agency
in a state tasked to impose social control over the people it governed. The government
exists for the benefit of the governed. They say that “government is there for our
benefit not for the government officials to benefit from us”. It is not just
governing the people or the citizens but also the territory and the sovereignty or
independence of the country. Collectively, the government, people, territory, and
sovereignty are known as the elements of the State.
People often interchangeably use the terms state and nation but the difference
lies on how the latter refers to an ethnic concept which means that people are bound
together by common ethnical elements such as race, language, and culture. On the
other hand, a state is more of a political concept. It refers to a community of persons
more or less numerous permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, having a
government of their own to which the great body of inhabitants render obedience and
enjoying freedom from external control.
Nation - a nation is a State - a state is an Nation-State - the idea
group of people who see independent, sovereign of a homogenous nation
themselves as a government exercising governed by its own
cohesive and coherent control over a certain sovereign state—where
unit based on shared spatially defined and each state contains one
cultural or historical bounded area, whose nation. This idea is
criteria. Nations are borders are usually almost never achieved.
socially constructed clearly defined and
units, not given by internationally
nature. recognized by other
states.

To Do List:
Do you think the
government made
the right decision in
passing of the said
controversial Anti-
Terror Bill (Republic
Act No. 11479)?
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 Relevance of Anthropology,
Political Sciences, and Sociology
in understanding Culture,
Society, and Politics
Avner Greif wrote a
paper exploring the
connection between the
societal organization
and the per capita
income of contemporary
societies. Sociology

He found out that the society in

developing countries is
collectivist and segregated in WORD WATCH
general while in developed “The levels of
countries, the society is an culture, the aspects
individualist and integrated.
of society: military,
Collectivist and integrated in the sense that political, economic,
individual interact mainly with members of a specific social, emotional,
religion, ethnic, or family group in which members religious, and
are expected to conform to each other and intellectual. Those
agreements are achieved through informal economic
and social institutions. are your basic
human needs they
Also, collectivist societies tend to be involved in the are arrange in
lives of other members of their group. Meanwhile evolutionary
individualist and integrated, because self-reliance is sequence.”
the norm, and agreements are enforced through - Carroll Quigley
regulatory agencies and specialized organization
such as courts.
This particular findings shows that culture and
society can be understood through the correlation
between the various disciplines of social sciences
such as political sciences, economics, anthropology,
sociology, and many more.

Find out how Social Media begun. There are uploaded films or
Reflect to videos available in Youtube and on other media platforms that
Check: can help you see how social media has changed the culture
landscape of the world.

Henry Charles Carey – “Man, the molecular

What do of society, is the subject of social science”
you think Does Henry Charles statement correct?
Let’s Wrap It Up!

Sociology

1. Create and discuss your own

Venn Diagram that will focus on
the topic Sociology, Anthropology,
and Political Science?
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2. Why is the relationship of the

three disciplines important in
studying culture, society, and
politics?
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Our society needs to re-establish a culture of

What do caring. – Nelson Mandela
you think Do you think Nelson Mandela’s quotation is
relevant in this present time?

What significant learning insights have you learned? And how

Reflect to are you going to apply these learning insights in your life as a
Check: student? As a member of a family? And also as a member of
a community?