DEPARTMENT ll OF EDUCATION 42 DepED UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS Quarter I Module 2: CULTURE AND SOCIETY: The Perspectives of Anthropology ~&) What I Need to Know This module was specifically developed and designed to provide you fan and meaningful learning experience, with your own time and pace. The module is only one lesso: Defining Culture and Society After going through this module, you are expected to: © Appreaciate the nature of culture and society from teh perspectives of anthropology and sociology; © Demonstrate a holistic understanding of culture and society; © Values cultural heritage and express pride of place without being ethnocentric.Defining Culture and Society In this unit, we shall discuss the concept of culture and society. Specifically, we shall expound on the significance of studying culture and society, explain the elements and aspects of culture, define the characteristics of society, trace human origins, and describe man’s cultural evolution. Through this lesson, we hope that you will be able to develop a clear understanding of what culture and society are about. What I Know As an initial phase of understanding culture, it is better to determine how familiar we are with the topic by simply answering the given questions. Directions: Write only the letter of your answer. 1. It refers to the totality of what man has learned as a member of the society. A. Sociology C. Culture B. Anthropology D. Psychology 2. These consist of tangible things such as technological tools, architectural, structures, fashion and accessories and food. ‘A. Material Culture C. Non-Material Culture B. Basic Culture D. Commercial Culture 3. It is the perception of individuals to accepted reality. A. Outlook C. Knowledge B. Beliefs D. Folleways 4. These are customary patterns of everyday life that specify what is socially correct and proper in everyday life. A. Mores C. Folkways B. Norms D. Laws 5. The totality of social organization which includes the social structure and social interactions in society. A. Tribe C. Society B. Community D. Nation 6. It refers to the stable pattern of configuration of social relationships and social interactions in society. . Social structure C. Social system B. Social reality D. Social Organization 57. It is the scientific study of patterned, shared human behavior. A. Anthropology C. Sociology B. Psychology D. History 8. The branch of knowledge which deals with the scientific study of man,his works. His body, his behavior and values in time and space. A. Science C. Psychology B. Humanities D. Anthropology 9. It is the scientific study of the state and politics which deals with the nature, principles, and mechanics of rule, authority power and influence, A. Political Science C. Law B. Social Science D. Humanities 10. It is consiclered as the main relationship of between sociclogy and anthropology. ‘A. Emergence community C. Language use by people B. Culture shared by men D. Fossils of early human beings& What’s In Broadly speaking, culture includes anything made by man. Language, customs, values, norms, rules, tools technologies, products, organizations and institutions---all these are components of culture. The question is, Why do we need to understand the idea of culture and society? — What’s New ULTURE How do you interpret the picture?Qs) What is It “Change is the only permanent in this world”- Heraclitus DEFINITION OF TERMS SOCIETY (sociology) —Constitution of social actors in constant interaction. CULTURE (anthropologic) -a set of practices and traditions that define a specific society. ‘The ‘inclusive’ approach to understand the utility of culture and society as explanatory tools is hoped to provide an appreciation of their usefulness that transgresses the traditional barriers known as disciplinary boundaries. In our society today, we can see a lot of changes and developments that affect our life. Machines have mad our work easier. Computers have allowed us to communicate with more people faster. Genetic engineering has helped us produce disease resistant plants. Changes such as these have resulted in modernization of nation-state. A nation-state is a sovereign state whose citizens or subjects have a common culture. They speak the same language, have a common descent, and share a common history. Having citizens with common culture, the nation-state, therefore, is a major component of personal identity. Personal identity is the concept you develop about yourself that evolves over the course of your life Culture refers to that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. ‘These personal experiences are created by man’s interaction with his environment. According to David Bohm, each individual already contains the whole information field of society. It is the whole information field, but each individual contains that information field in his own way. As primary actors, we create the type of society that we want to have which also includes our customs and traditions. People who need more will be pushed more by their inner drives to attain something. These drives consist of biological and psychological drives such as cravings, wealth, power, greatness, successes, etc. Likewise, variations in geographical features, climatic conditions and historical experiences contribute to man’s development as well as a reference of differentiation among people such as race, customs and traditions. As defined by Edward B. Tylor, culture refers to that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs and any 8other capabilities and habits acquired by mas as a member of society. Culture serves as a foundation of man’s continuing interaction with his surroundings. People develop a culture of their own out of their learning and experiences from their environmental exposure. org SSS SOCIETY AS A CONCEPT w SOCIETY’ was coined by social scientists to facilitate their exploration of social phenomena. Society represents an ideal type, which more or less depicts the form, process, and dynamics of the social reality it embodies. SOCIETY AS A FACTILITY SOCIETY is formally defined as constituting « fairly large number of people who are living in the same territory, are relatively independent of people outside their area, and participate in a common culture. SOCIETY is seen as an outcome of multiple interactions of people upon which succeeding interactions are made meaningful and possible WHAT MAKES SOCIETY POSSIBLE: THREE THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES 1, STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONAL 2. CONFLICT THEORY 3, SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM AND SOCIAL ORDER © Argues that society is made possible by cooperation and independence. 9© This view sees society as a system with parts, and these parts have their respective function to perform, © The health and condition of the entire system is dependent on these two process of functions and interdependence CONFLICT THEORY AND CONFLICT © Instead of putting importance to social order, the conilict perspective sees society as an arena. | Social actors are gladiators fighting for their very lives. The winner takes the rewards and is assured of freedom.) © Conflict approach do not take the usual assumptions about nature and ethos of conflict. © Conflict makes change and dynamism - features of society that have not been clearly conceived by the structural functional theory. © Conflict brings a new set of relations and interactions, which produces new dynamism in society SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM AND MEANING MAKING © Unlike the previous two theories, symbolic interactionism does not deal with either order or conflict. Instead, it explores the issue of meaning - making and why this is crucial in understanding order or conflict as processes that brought about society. The symbolic interactionist perspective would say symbols and meanings THE COMPLEXITY OF CULTURE CULTURE is people's way of life. © (EB. Taylor) “that comples whole, which encompasses beliefs, prectices, values, attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts, symbols, knowledge, and everything that a person learns © And shares as a member of society” © the “complex whole” In the above paragraph suggests that culture cannot be simply broken down into a set of attributes. © It means that an understanding of a part can only be achieved (or is only possible) in relation to the other parts of the system ‘THE WHAT, HOW, AND WHY OF CULTURE sWHAT- Actions, artifacts, language and behavior that characterize a given culture. HOW - identifies the processes that guarantee the transmission and dissemination of the contents WHY - Pinpoints the reasons why individuals comply and the mechanisms that facilitate the performance of expected behaviour. 10Significance of Studying Culture and Society and Polities CULTURE To understand man’s social experience, it is necessary to make a wider analysis of man’s relationship to his natural environment. However, we need to identify the significance of culture, society and politics in order to appreciate the different components that are essential {o the total development of a human person. According to Mark Banaag, culture functions in the following ways and from which we can realize the significance of culture as well: 1. Culture makes it possible for man to adapt and integrate himself to his ‘Adaptation environment by being creative and & resourceful in coming up with ways and means of survival. Tntegration 2. Culture establishes patterns acceptable social behavior such as etiquette, protocols, good manners and iS right conduct, roles an duties, etc. As ‘Human established by folkways, mores and Satisuetion laws. 0 +) 3.Culture conveys and facilitates Sigifemee meaning through verbal and non-verbal communication, written and non- fCulture | written language, forms of expression and symbolism. 4. Culture produces man-made things such as clothing, tools, instruments, structures, otc. made possible by pa technological know-how. 5. Culture contributes to overall human rmarsmade iit satisfaction as we develop ways to hag od make life more enjoyable, more comfortable, easier and more rewarding fi such as recreational activities, leisure, entertainment and arts, ete. SOCIETY Representation As individuals continued to interact, societies were formed. It is a product of human social processes intended to meet basic needs for survival. Every society is organized in such a way that there are rules of conduct, customs, traditions, folkways and mores and expectations that ensure appropriate behavior among members. Thus, society is an important product of human beings can live a total common life-—-the peer groups; social organizations like the family and kinship groups; economic, political religious and education. ap iwPOLITICS Sometimes people tend to associate politics with power. This connotation was formed through man’s relationship with other people. It is a struggle and a compromise between the powerful and powerless, the haves and have-nots. These are different perceptions about politics. According to Ricardo Lazo, politics may be viewed in different ways (Please refer to the diagram) y 4 2 These perspectives show the wide ranging ideas about politics which affect the life of every individual specially on human relationship. In describing the characteristics of politics, two important things must be emphasized: First, all questions involve the making of a common decision for a group of people, that is, a uniform decision applying in the same way to all members of the group. Second, all involve the use of force by one person or a group of people to affect the behavior of another person or group of people. Thus, politics talks about collective decision of individuals based on defined rules of society. These rules bind people together in order to preserve culture and improve human life. Also Haque defines politics in different ways but whatever definition is attached to it, there are four important points inherent to it. Reconciliation ofdifference a. Politics is a collective activity, involving people who accept a common membership or at least knowledge a shared fate: b, Politics presumes an initial diversity of views, if not about goals _ then least about means; c. Politics involves reconciling difierences through discussion and persuasion; and 12d. Political decisions become authoritative policy for a group, binding members to decisions that are implemented by force if necessary What’s More Write A if the statement is correct and B if it is not. 1.The nation-state as the main site of sovereignty is the basic feature of modernity and major constituent of personal identity. 2. Culture differs depending on the needs of individuals. 3. Culture refers to that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws and customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society, 4 People develop a culture of their own out of their learning and experiences from their environmental exposure. 5. Society is a product of man’s political and economic interest. © .Sociology deals with the understanding of political and relationships such as bureaucracy and hierarchy. 7. People tend to associate politics with power. 8. Culture produces man-made thing 9. Scientific investigation is utilized in conducting sociological inquiry. 10. The study of sociology broadens the experience of individuals customs of other people. What I Have Learned Answer the Following questions in your activity notebook. 1. Why do we need to understand the idea of culture, society and politics? 2. Why is culture important in our society? Assessment Complete the following diagram based on your understanding. Do not copy same as the picture in this module. Answer this in your notebook. 13Additional Activities Make a list, description and explanation of cultural practices in your community that may be considered as taboo or offensive. People that make u a society usually share 2 common culture. They speak the same language, follow the same traditions, adhere to the same beliefs, and more or less use the same technologies. The culture shared by the members of the society defines that society.