UNDERSTANDING

CULTURE
AND
SOCIETY
 human timeline
1. The class will go to their respective groups.
2. Each group will receive a set of papers which they will
arrange chronologically depending on their own knowledge
on the course of human history.
3. Each picture must be provided by five descriptions of how
human life is in that certain type of society.
4. Each group is given 15 minutes to complete the task.
5. The teacher will be the one who will choose
representative/s from the group to explain their output.
Chronology – 5 pts.
Description – 25 pts.
society
 It is a group of individuals sharing a common culture, geographical
location, and government.
 Human beings are considered to be naturally inclined to establish
societies, since it is interacting with others that they are able to ensure
their survival by establishing mutually beneficial relationships with one
another.
SIX ELEMENTS
OF SOCIETY
social solidarity
shared identity and culture
common language
a large population and
the ability to sustain
succeeding generations
of members
definite geographical area
political, economic, and social organization
 SIX ELEMENTS
1. Social solidarity
OF SOCIETY
2. Shared identity and culture
3. Common language
4. A large population and the ability to sustain succeeding
generations of members
5. Definite geographical area
6. Political, economic, and social organization
MAJOR
MAJOR TYPES
TYPES
OF
OF SOCIETY
SOCIETY
hunting and gathering
 hunting and gathering
 first societies
 basic social and economic units were the family
and local clan which organized hunting and
gathering activities and distributed the
accumulated food supply
horticultural and pastoral socities
 horticultural and pastoral societies
 the gradual shift from the hunting-and-
gathering lifestyle to a more sedentary life
 introduction of agricultural as a more stable
food production method
 horticultural societies relied on the cultivation of
plants as their primary source of food
 pastoral societies depended on domestication of
animals
agricultural societies
 agricultural societies
 new methods of farming, the invention of more
advanced tools, and the establishment of
permanent settlements
industrial societies
 industrial societies
 industrial revolution
technological advancements resulted in the
invention of machines that improved production
 the rise of urban cities
post-industrial societies
 post-industrial societies
 latter portion of 20th century
 knowledge is a commodity
 technological innovation is key to long-lasting
growth and development
culture
 set of beliefs, ideas, values, practices, knowledge,
history and shared experiences, attitudes, as well as
material objects and possessions accumulated over time
and shared by the members of society
PRIMARY CATEGORIES
OF CULTURE
 material culture
 the physical or tangible objects produced,
shared, and utilized within society such as tools or
implements, paintings and other works of art,
architectural styles, weaponry, and toys
material culture
 nonmaterial culture
 intangible properties and elements of society
that influence the patterns of action and behavior
of its members such as language, beliefs, values,
attitudes, ideas, and norms shared among
members of society
nonmaterial culture
VITAL CULTURAL
COMPONENTS
 symbols
 things that convey meaning or represent an idea
 they are essential in communication, shaping
thoughts and ideas, and defining a society’s
culture
 language
 set of symbols that enables members of society
to communicate verbally (spoken) and
nonverbally (written, gestures)
 norms
values
folkways
mores
The process of culture and identity
formation within society is facilitated
through socialization and enculturation.
 socialization
 the lifelong process of forging identity through
social interaction

enculturation
 the process by which an individual learns or acquires
the important aspects of his or her society’s culture
It is important to understand that culture is
dynamic. There are elements of culture that
have remained through ages but there are
also some aspects that have adapted to the
realities of the present context.
 context
Particular circumstances of a certain
culture and is defined by location,
weather, time period, and other factors
When we become aware of the whole
context of our own culture, we are able to
understand that some of its aspects are
shared, some are contested, some are
indigenous, and others are influenced by
other societies.
A contextual and relational approach enables
us to understand the existence of a multitude
of societies that have their own culture.