MODULE 1

Subject: Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Department: Social Science/Christian Humanism
Duration: 2 weeks
This learning packet or any part thereof is solely for the
exclusive use of Xavier University Senior High School students.
UNDERSTANDING
CULTURE, SOCIETY,
AND POLITICS
SOC 101
Learning Packet
Introduction
Hello, dear students!

Welcome to Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics! In this course, you will be learning
about various theories, institutions, processes, and shifts that occur in our own environments. At the
end of this quarter, you are expected to develop your own sociocultural and political competence,
which is essential to the promotion of social responsibility, with respect to human diversity.

This course is evenly divided into three modules that first focuses on the foundations of
societies, the members of societies, and the changes that occur all around us. With these learnings,
we hope to project in you the embodiment of a compassionate and culturally-integrated Atenean
with a heart for service to their community and candor in their identity.

At the end of this quarter, you are expected to create an advocacy campaign that encompasses
the ways to raise awareness about social issues present in our society. Moreover, the campaign should
present the application of your respective strand’s contribution to the identified issues. For that
reason, you will be able to practice being socially responsible not only within the walls of our school,
but also in the real world.

Before you proceed, please fill out the information box below:

NAME: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

GRADE & SECTION: ______________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTACT NUMBER: _____________________________________________________________________________________

PARENT’S/GUARDIAN’S CONTACT NUMBER: _________________________________________________________

MEET THE TEACHERS
Social Sciences & Christian Humanism Department
XASHS Faculty, MS Teams
Xavier Ateneo Senior High School
Masterson Avenue, Pueblo, Cagayan de Oro City

Rika Anne Warell R. Jarales

Subject Coordinator
rjarales@xu.edu.ph

Klent Gilbert Jhun Y. Jaraula

kjaraula@xu.edu.ph

Gabrelle Joy B. Lugay

glugay@xu.edu.ph

Christian Paul C. Novo

cnovo@xu.edu.ph
The Learning Packet

Culture, Society, and Politics

MODULE 1 The Social Sciences
The Foundations of Society Sociological Perspectives
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

MODULE 2 Sociocultural Evolution

Becoming a Member of Enculturation and Socialization
Society Social Groups

Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions

MODULE 3 Social Stratification
Society and its Changes Cultural, Social, and Political Change
Responses to Change
 Course Outline
Grading System for Core Subjects
Semestral Grade = Midterm Grade (50%) Final Grade (50%)
Written Works 25% Written Works 25%
Performance Tasks 50% Performance Tasks 50%
Quarterly Assessment 25% Quarterly Assessment 25%

Course Description
This course uses insights from Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science to develop students’
awareness of 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 agency, society, and politics; recognize cultural
relativism and social inclusiveness to overcome prejudices; and develop social and cultural competence
to guide their interaction with groups, communities, networks, and institutions.

Culminating Performance Standard

To develop an advocacy campaign that shows response to contemporary sociocultural and political
changes or problems

Written Works
Written works constitute long tests, post-tests, quizzes, seatworks, assignments, or any written
activity. These will be given depending on the need, and will usually be scheduled. Questions for quizzes
are usually exercise questions or applications to practice the concepts learned, but will sometimes be
“objective” types. They may be held before or after the lecture or synchronous session, so students are
held responsible to study and be prepared. Assignments or homework are given with the intention of
encouraging self-study among students, not just to review their lecture notes, but also to pursue skills
development not readily acquired during class hours or learning time.

Performance Tasks
Performance Tasks (PT) are given or announced to the students at the start of the quarter. Ample
time and appropriate scaffolded tasks are given so that the students can prepare well.
Quarterly Assessment
There are two major exams for quarterly assessment: Midterms and Finals. Delayed exams will be
given within one week after the scheduled examination. There will be no removal examinations.

Non-Regular Activities
During the cautious return to on-campus learning, and depending on the availability of facilities,
some class periods may be spent in the Audio-Visual Room (AVR) for other instructional modes, like
video-showing, Powerpoint presentations, or multimedia activities.

Class Decorum
For virtual classes, students are expected to observe netiquette. Taking down notes in an integrated
function of every student, as well as studying and participating in class. For students who cannot join
the virtual classes, they will have to do the tasks on their own, following the prescribed Learning Time.

General Objectives
At the end of the semester, the student is expected to acquire understanding in culture, society,
and politics, and to provide reasonable explanations for certain phenomena after critical evaluation and
analysis. The students enrolled in this course would be able to develop problem-solving skills and
appreciate the significance and application of the subject matter in the modern world.
 ACTIVITIES / TASKS /
WEEK DATE ESSENTIAL TOPICS
ASSESSMENTS
o Subject Orientation
Module 1
October 11-15, o Module 1 Pre-Test
1
2021 o Observations in Society
Lesson 1: Culture, Society, and Politics
o The Problem in My Society
Module 1
o Connecting Concepts
o Which Perspective?
October 18-22, Lesson 2: The Social Sciences
2 o Situational Analysis
2021 Lesson 3: Sociological Perspectives
o Module 1 Post-Test
Lesson 4: Ethnocentrism and Cultural
o Mini-Task 1: Problem-Solution Chart
Relativism
Module 2
o Module 2 Pre-Test
October 25-29, o The Beginning of Society
3 Lesson 5: Sociocultural Evolution
2021 o Practices of the Present
Lesson 6: Enculturation and
o Consequences of Socialization
Socialization

Module 2 o My Groups
November 3-9,
4-5 o Module 2 Post-Test
2021
Lesson 7: Social Groups o Mini-Task 2: Infographic Poster

November 10-
5 MIDTERM EXAMS
12 2021
Module 3

Lessons 8-11: Cultural, Social, and

o Module 3 Pre-Test
November 15- Political Institutions
6 o Cultural Match
19, 2021 Family
o State and Non-State Institutions
Politics
Economics
Non-State
Module 3

Lessons 12-14: Cultural, Social, and

o Education in Society
November 22- Political Institutions
o Existence of Stratification
26, 2021 Education
o Mini-Task 3: Storyboard/Outline
7 Religion
Health
Lesson 15: Social Stratification
November 27,
Parents’ Consultation
2021
Module 3 o Changes in My Community
November 29 o Local, National, and Global Responses
8 – December 3, Lesson 16: Cultural, Social, and Political o Module 3 Post-Test
2021 Change o Performance Task: Advocacy
Lesson 17: Responses to Change Campaign
December 6-
9 PERFORMANCE TASK WEEK
10, 2021
December 15-
10 FINAL EXAMS
17, 2021
Module 1
The Foundations
of Society
SOC 101 | Understanding Culture,
Society, and Politics
Table of Contents

Content Page

Overview of the Lessons i

Learning Time iii
Performance Task
Pre-Test 1
Context 2
Experience 5
Culture, Society, and Politics 5
The Social Sciences 6
Sociological Perspectives 10
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism 14
Rubrics for Activities 17
Reflection 19
Action 21
Mini-Task 1
Evaluation 23
Post-Test
Self-Assessment 24
References & References for Images 25
 Overview of the Lessons
Content Standards
The learners will be able to demonstrate an
understanding of human cultural variation, social
differences, social change, and political identities,
the significance of studying culture, society, and
politics, the rationale for studying Anthropology,
Sociology, and Political Science, culture and
society as Anthropological and Sociological
concepts, and the perspectives in / approaches to
the study of culture and society.

Performance Standards
The learners acknowledge human cultural
variation, social differences, social change,
political identities, adopt an open and critical
attitude towards different cultural, social, and
political phenomena through observation and
reflection, appreciate the value of the disciplines
of Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science,
appreciate the nature of culture and society from
the perspectives of Anthropology and Sociology,
demonstrate a holistic understanding of culture Most Essential Learning Competencies:
and society, and value cultural heritage and 1. Discuss the nature, goals, and perspectives
express pride of pace without being ethnocentric. in/of Anthropology, Sociology, and
Political Science
Formation Standards: 2. Analyze the concept, aspects, and changes
in/of culture and society
The learners will develop sociocultural and
political competence essential to the promotion of 3. Explain the importance of cultural
social responsibility and respect to human relativism in attaining cultural
diversity. understanding

i
Overview of the Lessons

Essential Topics
• Culture, Society, and Politics
• The Social Sciences
• Sociological Perspectives
• Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Learning Objectives
1. Explain the concepts of culture, society, and politics
2. Discuss the disciplines of Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science
3. Differentiate the sociological perspectives
4. Appreciate the interrelatedness of culture, society, and politics towards the Social Science
disciplines
5. Value the practice of cultural relativism
6. Explore your community for social problems in connection to culture, society, and politics

Evidence of Learning
The learners will be able to observe their physical or virtual community and identify one problem
that is evident, based on the aspects of culture, society, and politics, particularly one that greatly affects
the fields (strands) they belong in. Through this, they will be able to determine the causes and effects of
the problem and formulate ideal solutions that will resolve the problem.

Self-Regulated Strategies
• Set up a productive space in your house
• Create a schedule and allot time periods to accomplish tasks—and stick to it!
• Don’t multitask, and work at your own pace
• Take note of concepts that are new to you
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

ii
 Learning Time
To manage your time well, observe the suggested learning time below:

Target Date of
Lesson Activity/Task
Completion
Module 1 Pre-Test
Week 1
Activity 1: Observations in Society
Culture, Society, and October 11 – 15, 2021
Politics
Activity 2: The Problem in My Society

The Social Sciences Activity 3: Connecting Concepts

Sociological Perspectives Activity 4: Which Perspective?

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Week 2
Activity 5: Situational Analysis
Relativism October 18 – 22, 2021
Module 1 Post-Test

Mini-Task 1: Problem-Solution Chart

Performance Task
By the end of the quarter, you are expected to show
the following:

As researchers and advocates (role), you were tasked by

the municipality mayor to recognize various
sociocultural and political issues evident in your
respective communities (situation). You will choose one
that needs immediate response and come up with
suggestions from your field that will increase
awareness, consciousness, and provide
recommendations that will address the problem (goal).
These will be presented as an advocacy campaign
(product) for the municipality (audience). Through an
organized and SMART advocacy campaign, the
addressed community will be able to respond to the
problem effectively.

iii
 Instructions: Let’s find out how much you already know about the
subject. Choose and encircle the letter that you think best answers

Pre-Test each question. Answer all the items. Take note of the items that you
had trouble answering and discover the right answers as you go
through this module!

1. What do you call the “ways of living” practiced and observed around the world?
A. Change C. Society
B. Culture D. Policies

2. What refers to the concept that governs a society, for the benefit of cooperation and avoidance
of conflict?
A. Culture C. Politics
B. Morality D. Regulations

3. What discipline studies man and all kinds of human cultures?

A. Anthropology C. Political Science
B. Astronomy D. Sociology

4. Who was the pioneering thinker who coined the term “Sociology”?
A. Aiden Kant C. August Comte
B. Albert Comte D. Augustine Clam

5. What discipline studies the ideologies, systems, and administration of governing bodies in a
society?
A. Arithmetic C. Social Administration
B. Political Science D. Sociology

6. Which of the following is NOT a major sociological perspective?

A. Conditioning Theory C. Structural Functionalism
B. Conflict Perspective D. Symbolic Interactionism

7. Which sociological perspective was mainly proposed by Emile Durkheim?

A. Social Perspective C. Structural Functionalism
B. Social Functionalism D. Symbolic Perspective

8. What is the main concept that is perceived by Symbolic Interactionism?

A. Class Conflicts C. Meaning-Making
B. Haves and Have-Nots D. Social Dysfunctions

9. What concept refers to the tendency of one culture to consider their own as superior to other
cultures?
A. Culture-centeredness C. Ethnocentrism
B. Cultural relativism D. Ethnography

10. What do you call the idea that all kinds of cultures are proportional to one another?
A. Culture-centeredness C. Ethnocentrism
B. Cultural relativism D. Ethnography

1
Context Human beings have lived in the planet for many,
many years. As centuries passed, we have slowly created
different traditions and practices, built well-planned
and even mysterious places, and devised governing
bodies to oversee everything. But what made us do such
things? Why do we have the urge to interact with others?
And how come it is natural to follow what has always
been done rather than going another way?

These are the questions and concepts that we will

be answering throughout the course. As much as it is
exciting to start new classes, watch a recently released
film, or listen to an overdue album, it is also invigorating
to understand why we do these. The study of our daily
practices, of our interactions with each other, and of the
phases that bring us about the day allow us to have a
further grasp of the world that we live in and the people
in it. Isn’t that great?

Activity 1: Observations in Society

Instructions: In the table below, describe the society

that you belong in. It could be your physical or even
virtual society. Then list down five observations that
you find strange in your society.

Example:
SocieSo Society’s Descriptions: Semi-urbanized, polluted,
condensed in traffic
Observations
1. People not wearing face masks when around the
apartment buildings
2. Drivers competing to park in vacant spaces
3. Only one sari-sari store is available and accessible
4. Garbage collectors do not collect regularly
5. Multiple power interruptions in a month

2
 Activity 1: Observations in Society
So Society’s Descriptions:
Observations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

PROCESSING QUESTIONS
STUDENT’S RESPONSE
1. What unusual things have you observed around your
community?

2. Are there any observations that you can consider as a

problem for many of you living in the community?

MINI-TASK
Problem-Solution Chart

Using the problem identified from your community,

determine its causes and effects towards culture,
society, and politics. Formulate possible solutions that
your strand can come up with to address the problem.

3
 BEFORE
DIS
AGREE
AGREE
But before we proceed to the
first lesson, answer the
Before-After chart on the left
to see your initial ideas about
the subject!
Read each statement and
analyze whether you agree or
disagree with it. Fill out the
BEFORE column first with a
check [✓]. We will come back
to the After column later.
Experience
4
AFTER
STATEMENT DIS
AGREE
AGREE
Culture can be material objects or non-
material elements, such as books and
dances.
Culture cannot be shared with other
people from the same group.
When behaviors clash in a society,
politics can help manage the
cooperation of the people.
Anthropologists cannot study the
topics in Sociology and Political
Science.
There are no right and wrong
perceptions—only different ways to look
at the society.
Different perspectives cannot exist at
the same time in a society.
Becoming ethnocentric is the best way
to keep a culture alive.
It is best to judge other cultural groups
negatively because our own cultures do
not practice what they practice.
Culture, Society, and Politics
As common as these concepts may sound, they
can still come off as interchangeable and sometimes
even misinterpreted. For instance, when you think of
the term “culture,” what would be the first thing that
comes to mind?
Did you think of cultural dances and traditional
customs? Or were you able to think about food?
Religion? Modern practices? If so, that would all be
true about culture, because culture is our “ways of
living” (Contreras, 2016). Culture is how we think
and behave, but it is also our material and non-
material possessions which are connected to our
lifestyles. And these ways are ultimately formed
because of our interactions with one another. When
we engage with other people, especially those that live
in the same area as we do, or those that behave the
way that we do, we tend to form societies. With this,
both culture and society go hand in hand—culture
refers to the way we live our life, and society
comprises the bonds and interaction we have with
other people.
 To discuss further, culture includes a wide array of “knowledge, beliefs, art, morale, laws, customs,
and any other capabilities and habits as acquired by man as a member of society” (Taylor, 1871). It is a
social concept, as it is a product of behavior, which exists once human beings interact with one another,
particularly in one society. It is also varied from place to place, from one society to another, from one
period to another. It is also shared and learned—from the moment we were born, we have been introduced
to different habits and customs, such as eating, dressing up, and praying, among others. Hence, it is not
inborn. And finally, culture is continuous. It may not be the same exact culture that has been practiced
centuries ago, but the idea of a culture being practiced in a society is constant and perpetual, it is passed
down from one generation into the next. And ultimately, these depend on the society that one would live
in.
And as the two concepts of culture and society converge, we can say that different kinds of people,
even if they come from the same society or practice the same culture, eventually behave variously.
Sometimes, some tend to go beyond the common practices, while others hardly exert efforts to engage.
And with this, rules deemed to be the efficient solution to regulate the members of the society. Thus, the
concept of politics arose, wherein people rise into power to govern and manage the rest of the society, to
keep them in order and cooperation, and to avoid conflict. Politics is rooted from the Greek word polis,
which refers to the affairs of the state, and hence, is the meaning behind its involvements in society.

If you check your answers in the Pre-

Test earlier, the answers would be the
following:
1. B. Culture. These are the different ways
that people live around the world, which
varies from place to place, and group to
group.
2. C. Politics. It is the notion that helps
manage the society.

Activity 2: The Problem in My Society

Instructions: From your answers in Activity 1,

take note of anything that you can consider as
a problem and can be addressed by your
strand. If none, you may choose to answer any
problem, as long as it is related and
addressable by your strand. Justify your
answer.

Example: If you are a HUMSS student, you can

choose 1) people not wearing face masks when
around the apartment buildings, since it can be
considered a problem and it involves people
affecting others by not using face masks—a
HUMSS-related problem.
 PROCESSING QUESTIONS
STUDENT’S RESPONSE
1. In what way does your identified problem affect culture,
society, and politics?

Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science

“Inana man gyud na sila.” “I thought I was the only
one who thought of that!”
Opinions as such are what we partake in
conversations or read online, and these give us the idea
that people from different places have distinct
characteristics, thoughts, feelings, and practices. In
short, we all have different ways of living. If you can
recall, ways of living would refer to our culture, and that
is what the study of Anthropology is all about—the
differences and similarities of cultures all over the world
and how they developed over time. Concretely, it is the
study of humanity, or simply people, and all things that
makes us human.
What was the first recorded cultural practice like?
What were the customs and tools that allows humans to
survive the changes in the environment? These are only
some of the questions that anthropologists thrive to
answer as they study millions of years of thousands of
sociocultural diversities. Hence, Anthropology tends to
endow on methods such as ethnography, or immersing
in a certain community; participant observation, or
taking part in the activities that they wish to study more;
and excavation or examining materials that have been
historically and are contemporarily used (Rutherford,
2020).
6
 If you can have access to the
Internet, you can get to know more
about Anthropology using the QR
code on the right:

On another note, we have the study of Sociology. This

field examines people’s actions and interactions within the
society. It studies groups, their corresponding patterns of
behavior, and explains social occurrences that may have
many possible explanations. One of the pioneering
sociologists who was recorded to coin the term “Sociology”
was August Comte, who was known to be the ‘Father of
Sociology.’ Although many thinkers have contributed to
the study, their approach leaned towards ideal societies.
Comte, however, studied what society is, and how it can
still be improved (Macionis, 2014). You, too, can extend
your interest in the discipline, since it allows you to improve
your understanding of people, and of how you fit into this
society and the contributions you can add into it. And in a
way, Anthropology has more of an individualistic or micro
approach, while Sociology has a wider and macro scope.

If you can have access to the

Internet, you can get to know more
about Sociology using the QR code
on the right:

And finally, Political Science studies political

ideologies, political systems, behaviors, ethics,
administration, and other dynamics of governing and
managing groups of people. When political scientists learn
of people’s cultures and the kind of society they live in,
these would serve as a guide for them to formulate policies
and solutions that should better the society. Politicians, as
well, should then be able to exercise their power to promote
the welfare of both culture and society. So, some food for
thought: do you think the Philippine politicians use their
power to essentially improve our society?

If you check your answers in the Pre-Test earlier, the answers would be on the following:
3. A. Anthropology. It is the discipline that studies humanity and all that revolves around it, particularly
its cultures.
4. C. August Comte. He was credited to have coined the term ‘Sociology’ in 1838, as he is also considered
the ‘father’ of the discipline.
5. B. Political Science. It is the systematic study of politics.
7
 These three disciplines show importance in understanding everyday aspects of living. A single
scenario can be studied by the three disciplines, but in different approaches. For instance,
Anthropologists can study the on-going pandemic by possibly comparing and learning from previous
disease outbreaks, such as the Ebola virus (University of Illinois, 2020). It can even study what traditions
have been modified because of having to distance socially, such as birthday celebrations, weddings, and
the like. Sociologists, on another note, can study something as simple as daily mobility patterns of urban
adults, or the patterns of migration during the pandemic (Cornell University, 2020). Meanwhile,
Political Scientists can study the pandemic through understanding what should and should not be
implemented and mandated for the public, such as when to put the society into quarantine, when to
use and what kinds of face masks, face shields, and other PPE should be worn, curfew hours, among
others.

If you can have access to the Internet,

you can get to know more about
Political Science using the QR code on
the left

8
 Statement/Scenario Discipline Explanation
Answer: Because albularyos are
medical practitioners from
Example: The medical Answer:
certain cultures, and these
practices of albularyos Anthropology
medical practices refer to the
ways of life of the albularyos

1. Livelihood of tribal
Activity 3: Connecting villages in India
Concepts

Instructions: Identify if the 2. People panic-buying

alcohols and face
statement/scenario in each masks after the news
number can be studied by the on COVID-19
disciplines of Anthropology,
3. City ordinances on
Sociology, or Political Science.
disobeying curfew
Give a brief explanation why. hours

4. Loss of physical
interaction among
people due to
COVID-19

5. Shift in church-going
practices

STUDENT’S RESPONSE
PROCESSING QUESTIONS

1. How are the three social science disciplines different

and alike?

2. What do you think is the importance of learning

about these three major social science disciplines?

9
Sociological Perspectives

A society is incomplete without the

interactions that are essential to its members.
Because of the different cultural and political
practices, ideas, and opinions, there must be
certain explanations or perspectives that would
interpret why people interact the way that they do.
Many social scientists have come up with various
theories that explore and explain the everyday
dynamics of people in societies.
These perspectives are merely theories of
what the social scientists perceived about the
society that they lived in. Just like the image on the
right, try to figure out what you can make out of
it. Do you see a young lady turning away? Or an
old woman looking down?
Now, let’s look at the following images. How
would you describe them? How would you look at
and interpret them? How about your classmates or
even your family members—how would they
describe and interpret them? Are your descriptions
and interpretations the same, or are they different?

10
 Theoretical perspectives are just the same—they are different
ways of looking at one society, and there are no right nor wrong
ways of doing so. These three major perspectives are Structural
Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism.
Structural Functionalism is the perspective that looks at
society as a system with functioning parts, and roles that members
must achieve order and solidarity. In this theory, society is deemed
possible because of the ideal cooperation that the members have,
and the interdependence of the roles that they portray. One of the
major proponents of this theory was Emile Durkheim, who was
concerned about the idea of social cohesion or social solidarity. For
instance, as children, our ideal roles were to go to school, make
friends, and do household chores. As adults, the roles would be
different, since we would have to work, pay the bills, and others.
Structural Functionalism follows a continuous pattern of everyday
life, and again, in an ideal society, everyone would be following
their roles. However, some members of the society might opt not
to portray their roles, which eventually disrupts the social order.
They would resort to activities such as thieving, rebelling,
corrupting, and the like—and these people are known as social
dysfunctions.
The next perspective is called Conflict Theory, which
opposes social order. This sees society as “an arena of inequality
that generates conflict and change” (Macionis, 2014). With this, it
has a more economic flavor to it, since it includes how social class,
gender, race, ethnicity, and even language relates to society’s
unequal allocation of resources—money, power, and education. Its
main proponent, Karl Marx, studied the causes and effects of class
conflict between the rich and the poor, or as he called the “haves”
and the “have-nots,” theorizing that conflict is created because of
the unequal distribution of resources between the two classes. The
theory also looks into how a society with inequalities has actual
benefits, which means that it explains how the rich and the poor,
the privileged and the oppressed, the hierarchy among men,
women, and other genders are all a part of a society.
Finally, the third perspective is Symbolic Interactionism.
Unlike the previous theories, it does not deal with social order nor
social conflict. In fact, the two theories prior are macro
perspectives—looking at society on a large-scale level, while this one
is a micro perspective, and looks at the society on a small-scale,
individualistic level.

11
 Symbolic Interactionism revolves around the meaning behind everyday interactions among
individuals. Max Weber was one of the major contributors to this theory, as he theorized that people act
and interact based on the meaning they attach towards people and their actions. Members of the society
often give meanings to symbols all around—from the gadgets we use to the messages that a person sends
you. Hence, in this theory, society creates its own sense of reality as we dictate how we define people,
materials, and surroundings, and this produces collective thoughts. This is also the theory that introduces
“stereotypes,” because of our collective thoughts. For instance, owning an Apple product might determine
your richness, or your tone of voice would affect others’ response to you. Thus, meaning-making and
symbols would make up society’s way of thinking, according to this perspective.

If you check your answers in the Pre-Test earlier,

the answers would be the following:
6. A. Conditioning Theory. The three major
sociological perspectives are Structural
Functionalism, Conflict Perspective, and
Symbolic Interactionism.
7. C. Structural Functionalism. This was the
theory that sparked due to Emile Durkheim’s
discoveries.
8. C. Meaning-Making. Symbolic interactionism
revolves around the meaning behind symbols,
particularly various behaviors, language,
materials, among others.

Activity 4: Which Perspective?

Instructions: Given the pictures below, try to describe what is happening. Afterwards, identify what
sociological perspective influenced your description. Lastly, in the separate table provided, input the
problem you have chosen in Activity 2. Identify a perspective and try to explain the existence of the problem
using your identified perspective.

Picture Description Perspective

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 Picture Description Perspective

Problem Identified Perspective Explanation

PROCESSING QUESTIONS STUDENT’S RESPONSE

1. How do the major perspectives explain the different realities around us?
 Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
No culture in different societies is universally alike. For instance, some children are used to growing
up in an innocent setting, free of worries as they await adulthood. However, some children in other
countries do not face the simplicity of life, as many families in other countries rely on their children to
earn money for them. Thus, what one society would normally practice would seem different and unjust
and even immoral for others. Various cultures raise people in their own ways, and thus, we are all
considered equal, and yet so different.
One very controversial historical scene that shows how culture is varied is the St. Louis World’s
Fair, one of the most delicate expositions that was supposedly only for entertainment purposes—but little
did the foreign worlds know that what they had been doing, particularly in the 1904 Louisiana Purchase
Exposition, was beyond inhumane. At that time, even anthropologists assisted the US government in
transporting tribes and other cultural groups into Louisiana. From the Philippines, many Igorot and
Visayan groups were brought abroad just to be displayed for entertainment and possibly for “knowledge.”

If you want to know

more about the 1904
St. Louis’ World
Fair, scan the QR
code below:

However, their display of the Igorot tribes was too extreme. For instance, one of the Igorot practices
is to eat dog meat during special occasions. But in the Exposition, they were purposely made to eat it every
single day just to showcase to the foreigners that it was the practice of Igorots—different, menial, and
uncivilized. Meanwhile, the Visayan groups—the ones that were quite socialized into Westernized practices
already, were showcased in a more formal way. They were conveniently dressed in their Barong Tagalog and
Filipinianas, which was meant to portray that they were the civilized and “correct” counterparts of the
Igorots in the Philippines.
Unfortunately, since we are so adapted into our own cultures, there really would be some societies
that would tend to think of themselves as the “correct” culture, just like how the foreigners at the time
would think they are. This notion is referred to as ethnocentrism, the tendency of one society to consider
their own culture as the center of everything or the superior to all other cultures. In other words,
ethnocentrism is a society’s bias of its own culture, serving it as the basis of judging the “rightness” and
“wrongness” of other cultures. One of the most infamous examples of ethnocentrism is the Nazi Germany
and Adolf Hitler’s belief that only their pure, Aryan race is the acceptable one, and that the rest of the Jews
should be eradicated.
 On a lighter note, ethnocentrism is countered by the concept of cultural relativism, wherein different
cultures are perceived based on their own standards. This means that there should be no inferior nor
superior culture, but rather, there should be an appreciation of all cultures because it is what each of our
societies have practiced for centuries. However, it is difficult to adapt this practice if one is so immersed in
his own culture. Openness to new values, beliefs, and habits is important. Meanwhile, although cultural
relativism deems to be a better concept that ethnocentrism, some cultures still involve danger and harmful
patterns of behavior. Accepting the relativity among cultures would mean accepting that some cultures
naturally practice harmful ways.

If you check your answers in the Pre-Test earlier, the answers would be the following:

9. C. Ethnocentrism. From the term itself, ethno refers to people, while centric means center. Therefore,
ethnocentrism is the practice that puts one group as the center of everything.
10. B. Cultural relativism. This concept entails that all cultures around the world are considered valid
based on their own cultural context, hence, they are proportional to one
another.

The issue on racism is not news all over the world—a lot of groups
and societies face it. African Americans continually experience it
Activity 5: Situational Analysis on an international scale, with issues on slavery, bullying,
discrimination, and oppression in retrospect, just because of the
Instructions: Think, analyze,
color of their skin.
and discuss your thoughts on
the given situation below.
Defend your answer by applying
Even on a more local scale, the Philippines has had its share of a
the concepts of ethnocentrism
similar social issue. Indigenous groups are often looked down
and cultural relativism. Write
upon and are perceived as inferiors by middle- to upper-class
your answers on the space
societies in the country, because they have different habits,
provided.
practices, and overall lifestyles than the modern Filipino society.

What are your thoughts on the relevance of ethnocentrism and

cultural relativism regarding these issues? Additionally, what
Ignatian value should be applied when avoiding ethnocentrism
and practicing cultural relativism?
PROCESSING QUESTIONS STUDENT’S RESPONSE
1. Do you think it is possible for all societies and cultures to
consider each culture as relative? Why or why not?

BEFORE AFTER
DIS STATEMENT DIS
AGREE AGREE
AGREE AGREE
Culture can be material objects or non-
material elements, such as books and
dances.
Copy the answers you had
Culture cannot be shared with other
for the BEFORE column,
people from the same group.
prior to the Experience
When behaviors clash in a society,
section. After digesting all politics can help manage the
the lessons and completing cooperation of the people.
all assigned tasks, input your Anthropologists cannot study the
topics in Sociology and Political
answers on the AFTER
Science.
column with a check mark There are no right and wrong
[✓]. Compare your answers perceptions—only different ways to look
and reflect on what has or at the society.
has not changed. Different perspectives cannot exist at
the same time in a society.
Becoming ethnocentric is the best way
to keep a culture alive.
It is best to judge other cultural groups
negatively because our own cultures do
not practice what they practice.

16
Rubrics for Activities
Module 1 Activity 1: Observations in Society

Describes the society they belong in (either physical or virtual) and lists five (5)
5 points
observations of the society
Describes the society they belong in (either physical or virtual), but only lists less than
4 points
five (5) observations of the society
Only either describes the society they belong in OR lists five (5) observations 3 points

Only either describes the society they belong in OR lists less than five (5) observations 2 points
Answers are irrelevant 1 point
No answer at all 0

Module 1 Activity 2: The Problem in My Society

Describes one problem that can be addressed by their strand and justifies it 5 points
Describes one problem but is not necessarily addressed by their strand but tries to
4 points
justify it
Does not adequately describe a problem, may or may not be strand-related, but tries to
3 points
justify it
Does not adequately describe a problem and does not justify it as strand-related 2 points
Answers are irrelevant 1 point
No answer at all 0

Module 1 Activity 3: Connecting Concepts

Total Points: 10 (5 points x 2)

Identifies one discipline to explain the statement/scenario and justifies it through a brief
5 points
explanation
Identifies one discipline to explain the statement/scenario but does not adequately
4 points
justify the brief explanation
Identifies one discipline to explain the statement/scenario, but the justification does not
3 points
align with the said discipline
Only either identifies one discipline OR gives a brief explanation 2 points
Answers are irrelevant 1 point
No answer at all 0

Module 1 Activity 4: Which Perspective?

Total Points: 10 (5 points x 2)

Describes the picture and identifies a perspective that aligns with the description
5 points
Identifies a perspective and explains the existence of the problem chosen in Activity 2
Describes the picture but the identified perspective does not adequately align with the
description
4 points
Identifies a perspective but does not align with the explanation of the existence of the
problem chosen in Activity 2

17
 Describes the picture and explains it but fails to indicate the perspective
3 points
Identifies a perspective but does not explain the existence of the problem through it

Only indicates the perspective 2 points

Answers are irrelevant 1 point

No answer at all 0

Module 1 Activity 5: Situational Analysis

Criteria 2 points 1 point 0

Content Clearly and specifically Generally presents ideas No answer
(x 5) discusses ideas about about ethnocentrism and
ethnocentrism and cultural relativism
cultural relativism in without relating to the
relation to the given given situations
situations
Application Applies an Ignatian value Applies an Ignatian value No answer
(x5) that supports the but does not explain its
avoidance of relevance to
ethnocentrism and ethnocentrism and
practice of cultural cultural relativism
relativism
TOTAL 20 points

18
How will the study of culture, society, and
politics help you become a more
responsive and responsible Atenean in
the community and strand you belong in?

Reflection

19
REFLECTIVE LOG

Date:
What were your expected goals for this module?

What went well?

What could have been improved?

What will be your goals for the next module?

 MINI-TASK 1:
Action
PROBLEM-SOLUTION CHART

Instructions: Using the problem you

identified in your community, determine
its causes and effects towards culture,
society, and politics. Afterwards,
formulate possible solutions that your
strand/field can come up with to address
the causes and effects of the problem.
With these, create a Problem-Solution
Chart. Refer to the guidelines and rubrics
below for the grading points.

PROCESSING QUESTIONS STUDENT’S RESPONSE

1. How interesting or difficult was the Mini-Task?

2. How did the Mini-Task help you see the real world use of
the lessons discussed in this module?

21
 Guidelines

o Use a separate
document/paper
o For printed or online
submissions, use readable
fonts and font sizes
o For handwritten
submissions, make sure
your handwriting is CLEAR
o Use the sample format as
your guide
o Include references for the
causes and effects (using
APA format or simply
attach links or materials’
authors and titles)
o Be as creative as you can
with the proposed solutions,
but make sure they are
related to your strand
o For individual and group
works, include your
complete names, your
grade and section, and the
date submitted
o For online learners, wait for
instructions via MS Teams
o For offline learners, submit
together with Module 1

22
Evaluation Instructions: It’s now time to evaluate your learning from this
module! Write TRUE if the statement presented is true, and FALSE

Post-Test
if otherwise. Your score will be disclosed by your teacher during your
Consultation Periods.

__________________ 1. Preparing lechon during birthdays and other special occasions is a form of
culture.

__________________ 2. Sociology is best defined as the study of groups and their patterns of behavior,
actions, and interactions.

__________________ 3. Praying together as a family cannot be considered as a form of culture.

__________________ 4. Karl Marx first coined the term “Sociology” when he studied class conflicts,
and therefore produced the Conflict Theory.

__________________ 5. Symbolic Interactionism can be manifested when you interpret a text from
someone you admire as something positive, regardless of what the content is.

__________________ 6. Using pedestrian lanes when crossing the busy, traffic roads of the city is not
an area studied by Political Scientists.

__________________ 7. Structural Functionalism suggests that if somebody does not follow the rules
of the society, they produce conflict and change.

__________________ 8. Social order is the primary goal of the Structural Functionalist perspective
because it entails the cooperation of the people in accomplishing their roles in
society.

__________________ 9. An example of ethnocentrism is when Indigenous Peoples exercise their rights

to keep their traditions and customs.

__________________ 10. Culture being relative means that every culture is similar and proportional
to one another, regardless of what these cultures are.

__________________ 11. Studying, participating in class, and doing assignments are some of the roles
of students, which they ought to play according to the Conflict Perspective.

__________________ 12. Social integration, government practices, and public administration are all
concepts studied by Anthropologists.

__________________ 13. Face ornaments, such as piercings and tattoos, are ways of living for some
groups.

__________________ 14. Conflict Theory suggests that there is an existence of a division between
people who can achieve and accomplish anything and people who cannot.

__________________ 15. Caucasians telling people-of-color (POC) who live in their state to “go back
to where you came from!” manifests the practice of cultural relativism.

23
 Self-Assessment
Before moving on to the next module,
please complete the table below.

WERE YOU
ACTUAL DATE
ACTIVITY / ABLE TO
LESSON OF REASONS
TASK COMPLETE THE
COMPLETION
TASK ON TIME?

Module 1 Pre-Test

Activity 1:
Observations in
Culture, Society, Society
and Politics Activity 2: The
Problem in My
Society
Activity 3:
The Social Sciences Connecting
Concepts

Sociological Activity 4: Which

Perspectives Perspective?

Ethnocentrism and Activity 5:

Cultural Relativism Situational Analysis

Module 1 Post-Test

Mini-Task 1:
Problem-Solution
Chart

Congratulations!
You have completed Module 1!

You are now ready to proceed to the next module.

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