W

e
e
k

3
DAY 1
1. Why should people use different perspectives in
recognizing the existence of culture and society?

2. Why is culture said to be a product of society?

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to:

q Explain anthropological and sociological perspectives on

culture and society, and

q Describe society and culture as a complex whole.

DAY 1
Anthropology and Sociology

Human are interesting subjects to study. The human

story has a lot to say from their way of living to the
associations they form. These are two interrelated
scientific studies of society colloquially known as the
twin social sciences.
q provides us with a big picture of what it means to be human.

q concerned with the biological features that make us human

(such as physiology, genetic makeup, nutritional history, and
evolution) ad their social aspects (such as language, culture,
politics, family, and religion)
q the study of human institutions and their relationships. This
discipline examines how human actions in modern societies
are shaped by social groups and by wider social, economic and
political pressures.
q Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime
to religion, from the family to the state, from the division
of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common
culture, and from social stability to radical change in whole
societies.
 Anthropological and Sociological Perspectives
on Culture and Society

In sociology, society is the leading concept while culture is

subordinate. In anthropology, on the other hand, culture
comes first as a subject matter followed by society.
 Let us put the two concepts this way.
SOCIOLOGY
Society is a community or
group of individuals joined
together by sustained bonds
and interactions. It includes
the origin, existence, and
interrelationship of groups or
institutions within the
community.
ANTHROPOLOGY
Culture is a way of life. It
includes symbols, languages,
values, and norms. According
to many anthropologists,
culture is defined as a set of
learned behaviors and beliefs
that characterize a group of a
people.
q When talking about culture, we are mostly talking about
tangible factor which include language, technology, and
institutions like our churches, schools, or houses.

q However, culture also has intangible aspects such as our

values and behaviors. It also includes norms, the standards
or rules of acceptable behavior.
q Culture is what makes society a collective whole. It gives
the community its form, shape and identity.

q A society, in terms of sociology, is a group of people living

and interacting with one another to create a culture. Its
population is bound by a shared culture-beliefs, attitudes,
languages and institutions.
A c t i v i t y

Identify three societies or groups of people and their

characteristics.

How will you feel toward a specific nationality (e.g.,

Koreans, Japanese, Americans)? Do you like them?
Whatever is our nationality, let us always remember that
every nation has its own culture—practices, beliefs or
traditions. Let us always understand and respect each
others differences to avoid conflict and have a
harmonious relationship with one another.
Now let us have a recap on anthropological and
sociological perspective on culture and society.
End of Day 1-2
Day 3
Day 2
Culture as a complex whole
 What have you noticed on
these pictures?

These pictures have

something to do with
culture.

Day 4
 Last meeting, we have discussed
society and culture as a complex whole.
This time, we will identify the aspect of
society and culture.

Day 4
Culture is dynamic, flexible and adaptive
Culture is shared & contested
Culture is learned through socialization or enculturation
Culture is patterned social interactions
Culture is integrated and at times unstable
C u l t u r e T r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h
socialization/enculturation
Culture requires language and other forms of
communication
Activity

Explain the concept, aspects and

changes of culture and society.