UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

Understanding
Culture,
Society,
and Politics

RENELY GOZON

DISCLAIMER
This material is to be used for
academic purposes only. Although the author has
made effort to ensure that the information in this
module was correct, the author do not assume and
hereby disclaim any liability to any party for the
damage or disruption caused by errors or omission,
whether such error or omissions result from
negligence, accident, or any other cause.

SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – TOMAS OPPUS

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

MODULE 1
CONCEPTS OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY
AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Module Outcome:
 Analyze the important concepts of anthropology, sociology and political science towards
attaining cultural, social and political understanding.

INTRODUCTION:
This module leads to analyzing important concepts of anthropology, sociology and
political science towards attaining cultural, social and political understanding. Anthropology is
a social science discipline that study humans and their society in the past and present. Sociology
is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Political science is a social science
discipline that deals with systems of government, and the analysis of political activity and political
behavior.
The study on culture, society, and politics will prepare people for active and responsible
civic engagement through the development of critical thought. Learning the areas of
anthropology, sociology, and political science will expose its learners to social diversity and
inequality, self-reflective knowledge and practice, appreciation of complexity, and advocacy for
social change and order.

Lesson 1 –Week 1
Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science

Lesson 2 –Week 2
Relating Culture and Society

Lesson 3 –Week 3
Cultural Relativism

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

MODULE 1, WEEK 1

LESSON 1: ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Learning Competency:
 Discuss the nature, goals and perspective in/of anthropology, sociology and political
science

Activate Prior Knowledge

Direction: Give three (3) words related to anthropology, sociology and political science,
respectively. Using these words, construct your own definition of
anthropology, sociology and political science.

ANTHROPOLOGY

SOCIOLOGY

POLITICAL SCIENCE

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

Acquire New Knowledge

SCOPE AND NATURE OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

A. The Holistic Study of Humanity: Anthropology

ANTHROPOLOGY is the study of humans and their society in the past and present.
Dealing with what makes us human, anthropology delves in objects and materials we have
created, our interconnectedness and adaptability with environment, our lifestyle, our modes of
communication, and our understanding of the world around us.
Anthropology is considered the father or even grandfather of all social and behavioral
sciences like sociology, economics and psychology, to name a few. The father of American
anthropology, Franz Boaz, a physicist, strongly believed that the same method and strategy could
be applied in measuring culture and human behavior while conducting research among humans
including uniqueness of their cultures.
Ruth Benedict became a specialist in anthropology and folklore and authored the famous
book Patterns of Culture. The field of anthropology offers several topics for relevant research and
discussion in various academic fields since its distinct way of data gathering from their
respondents applies participant observation which is central to ethnography. Bronislaw
Malinowski is the founding father of this strategy.

B. The Study of the Social World: Sociology

SOCIOLOGY is the study of society, social institutions, and social relationships. Sociology
is interested in describing and explaining human behavior, especially as it occurs within a social
context (Merriam-Webster). This social sciences discipline mainly focuses on society—its
functions, its members, and its diversity.
Specifically, sociology tackles the basic unit of the society—the family; the functionality
and relevance of state as an important human institution; social issues on religion, crime, race,
social class; and the stability and instability of societies.
Sociology’s point of view is distinct from other sciences. Peter Berger explains that the
perspective of sociology enables us to see “general patterns in particular events” (Macionis,
2010). This means finding general patterns in particular events. The first systematic study on
suicide provides a good example.
August Comte (1798-1857) is the person who “invented” sociology in 1842, by bringing
together the Greek word socius or “companion” and the Latin word logy or “study”. He originally
used “social physics” as a term for sociology. Its aim was to discover the social laws that govern
the development of society.
The founding mother of sociology is Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), an English writer
and reformist. In her accounts in her book How to Observe Morals and Manners (1838), the deep
sociological insights we call now ethnographic narratives are fully expressed.
Emile Durkheim (1864-1920), a French sociologist, who put forward the idea that
individuals are more products rather than the creator of society; the society itself is external to
the individual. In his book Suicide, Durkheim proved that social forces strongly impact on people’s
lives and that seemingly personal event is not personal after all.

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

C. The Study of Politics: Political Science

POLITICAL SCIENCE is part of the social sciences that deals with the study of politics,
power, and government. In turn, politics refers to “the process of making collective decisions in a
community, society, or group through application of influence and power” (Ethridge and
Handelman 2010, p.8).
Political science helps us understand politics, political institutions and behavior, public
policy, and philosophical concepts, such as justice, equality, fairness, and liberty; and on how the
said subject matters affect economy, public and private life, law, and public services.
Political Science studies how even the most private and personal decisions of individuals
are influence by collective decisions of a community. “The personal is political.”
Political science, as a social science discipline, deals with systems of government, and the
analysis of political activities and political behavior. Primarily, it helps people gain an
understanding on “who gets what, when they get it, and how they get it.”
Politics is allied with government which is considered as the ultimate authority. It is the
primary role of the government to rule the society by stipulating and transmitting the basic laws
that will supervise the freedom of the people. Each form of government possesses power to attain
order that should lead toward social justice. Science is commonly defined as the knowledge
derived from experiment and observation systematically done. Policy-making and government
decisions should be done through proper research, social investigation, analysis, validation,
planning, execution and evaluation. Thus, politics is a science.

GOALS OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

The very goal of these disciplines is to prepare people for active and responsible civic
engagement through the development of critical thought. Exposure to these areas of discipline
necessarily expose its learners to the following:
 social diversity and inequality,
 self-reflective knowledge and practice,
 appreciation of complexity, and
 advocacy for social change and order.

Goals of Anthropology
 describe and analyze the biological evolution of mankind
 describe and assess the cultural development of our species
 describe, explain, and analyze the present-day human cultural similarities and
differences
 describe and explain human biological diversity today

Goals of Sociology
 understand ourselves better
 build a better understanding of mankind
 help with decision-making, both our own and that of larger organizations
 gather systematic information from which to make a decision, provide insights into
what is going on in a situation, and present alternatives

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

Goals of Political Science

 be immersed in current affairs
 build an understanding on the local, national, and international politics
 earn how political activities are organized in and out of our country
 provide substantially critical and scientific contribution to government and society

Thus, the ultimate goal of studying anthropology, sociology and political science is to gain
better understanding of holistic characteristics and attributes of human culturally, socially and
politically. Further, this would enable anyone to address the problems and issues of humanity
correspondingly in order to prevent the magnification of dilemma and result to inappropriate
approach.

PERSPECTIVES ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Anthropological and Sociological Perspective 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 only by society. Let us put the
two concepts this way.
When talking about culture, we are talking about things that are tangible, almost like
objects. They are our language, our technology, and our institutions - things like our churches,
our schools, or even our houses. However, culture is also intangible; it is our values and our
behaviors. Our culture includes our norms, the standards or rules of acceptable behavior. Culture
is what makes society "them." It gives a community the form, shape, or identity.
Society, sociologically speaking, is the people living and interacting with one another to
create a culture. Its population bonded together by their shared beliefs, attitudes, languages, and
institutions; in other words, by their culture

THREE MAJOR PERSPECTIVES

Sociologists analyze social phenomena at different levels and from different perspectives.
From concrete interpretations to sweeping generalizations of society and social behavior,
sociologists study everything from specific events (the micro level of analysis of small social
patterns) to the “big picture” (the macro level of analysis of large social patterns).

1. The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic interactionism,
directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols
mean, and how people interact with each other. Although symbolic interactionism traces its
origins to Max Weber's assertion that individuals act according to their interpretation of the
meaning of their world, the American philosopher George H. Mead (1863–1931) introduced this
perspective to American sociology in the 1920s.

SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – TOMAS OPPUS

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

According to the symbolic interactionist perspective, people attach meanings to symbols,

and then they act according to their subjective interpretation of these symbols. Verbal
conversations, in which spoken words serve as the predominant symbols, make this subjective
interpretation especially evident. The words have a certain meaning for the “sender,” and, during
effective communication, they hopefully have the same meaning for the “receiver.” Conversation
is an interaction of symbols between individuals who constantly interpret the world around
them. Of course, anything can serve as a symbol as long as it refers to something beyond itself.
Thus, symbolic interactionists give serious thought to how people act, and then seek to
determine what meanings individuals assign to their own actions and symbols, as well as to those
of others. For example, one of the spouses may see their circular wedding rings as symbolizing
“never ending love,” while the other may see them as a mere financial expense.
Critics claim that symbolic interactionism neglects the macro level of social
interpretation—the “big picture.” In other words, symbolic interactionists may miss the larger
issues of society. The perspective also receives criticism for slighting the influence of social forces
and institutions on individual interactions.

2. The Functionalist Perspective

According to the functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, each aspect of
society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. For example, during
a financial recession with its high rates of unemployment and inflation, social programs are
trimmed or cut. Schools offer fewer programs. Families tighten their budgets. And a new social
order, stability, and productivity occur.
Functionalists believe that society is held together by social consensus, or cohesion, in
which members of the society agree upon, and work together to achieve, what is best for society
as a whole.
Functionalism focuses on social order. Emile Durkheim differentiates two forms of social
order. The first is mechanical solidarity. It is a type of social cohesion that develops when people
do similar work. Most, often it exists in small scale traditional societies. The second is organic
solidarity. It is a type of social cohesion that is formed in a society whose members work in
specialized jobs. Functionalism has received criticism for neglecting the negative functions of an
event such as divorce.
Among American functionalist sociologists is Robert Merton (b. 1910), who divides
human functions into two types: manifest functions are intentional and obvious, while latent
functions are unintentional and not obvious. The manifest function of attending a church or
synagogue, for instance, is to worship as part of a religious community, but its latent function may
be to help members learn to discern personal from institutional values. A sociological approach
in functionalism is the consideration of the relationship between the functions of smaller parts
and the functions of the whole.
Critics also claim that the perspective justifies the status quo and complacency on the part
of society's members. Functionalism does not encourage people to take an active role in changing
their social environment, even when such change may benefit them. Instead, functionalism sees
active social change as undesirable because the various parts of society will compensate naturally
for any problems that may arise.

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

3. The Conflict Perspective

The conflict perspective, which originated primarily out of Karl Marx's writings on class
struggles, presents society in a different light than do the functionalist and symbolic interactionist
perspectives.
While these latter perspectives focus on the positive aspects of society that contribute to
its stability, the conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever-changing
nature of society. Unlike functionalists who defend the status quo, avoid social change, and
believe people cooperate to effect social order, conflict theorists challenge the status quo,
encourage social change (even when this means social revolution), and believe rich and powerful
people force social order on the poor and the weak.
Conflict theorists, for example, may interpret an “elite” board of regents raising tuition to
pay for esoteric new programs that raise the prestige of a local college as self-serving rather than
as beneficial for students.
Today, conflict theorists find social conflict between any groups in which the potential for
inequality exists: racial, gender, religious, political, economic, and so on. Conflict theorists note
that unequal groups usually have conflicting values and agendas, causing them to compete against
one another. This constant competition between groups forms the basis for the ever-changing
nature of society.
Critics of the conflict perspective point to its overly negative view of society. The theory
ultimately attributes humanitarian efforts, altruism, democracy, civil rights, and other positive
aspects of society to capitalistic designs to control the masses, not to inherent interests in
preserving society and social order.

REFERENCES:

Lesson 1:
https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SHS-Core_Understanding-Culture-
Society-and-Politics-CG.pdf
https://kupdf.net/download/understanding-cultures-society-and
politics_59abce4edc0d601c79568ee1_pdf
https://kupdf.net/download/understanding-culture-society-and-
politicsreviewers5b5c6fe6e2b6f5211e4a14a8_pdf
https://kupdf.net/download/module-ucsp_59b64d97dc0d60ef328ceb25_pdf
https://kupdf.net/download/ucsp-handouts_598c607edc0d60c51f300d19_pdf
https://www.teacherph.com/understanding-culture-society-and-politics-first-quarter-activity-
sheets/
https://ateneo.edu/ls/soss/socio-anthro/publication/09/05/18/understanding-culture-society-
and-politics-reader

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

Application
Direction: Carefully examine the mural painting by James Garcia (2014). How does
this painting portray the Philippine culture, society and politics? How does
Garcia view, understand and illustrate Philippine culture, society and
politics?

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SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – TOMAS OPPUS

 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

MODULE 1, LESSON 1
Assessment
Direction: Supply the questions with corresponding and correct answers.

A. Supply the boxes with your own words based on what you just have learned. (30 points)

ANTHROPOLOGY SOCIOLOGY POLITICAL SCIENCE

DEFINITION

GOALS

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS

B. Discuss the three (3) perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science. Cite
concrete examples as Filipino culture, society and politics being the reference. (15 points)

SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY – TOMAS OPPUS