11

Understanding
Culture, Society
and Politics
Quarter 2 – Module 11:
Social Reforms
UCSP – 11
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 2 – Module 11: Social Reforms
First Edition, 2020

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Development Team of the Module

Writers: Oscar P. Alicarte Jr.
Editors: Marya Legaspina, Kenneth Robert Naval
Reviewers: Fredgie Pasco
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Cover Art Designer: Ian Caesar E. Frondoza
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 11

Understanding
Culture, Society
and Politics
Quarter 1 – Module 11:
Social Reforms
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Self-Learning Module

(SLM) on Social Reforms.

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Self-Learning Module

(SLM) on Social Reforms!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or

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 skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.
At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.
The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the Social Reforms. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with
the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

 Lesson 1. Factors causes social, political and cultural change.

 Lesson 2. Features of societies and global community.
 Lesson 3. Strategies to reduce Social Inequalities.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify factors that cause social, political and cultural change.
2. Appraise the factors causing social, political and cultural change.
3. Formulate ways to address social inequalities in the society

What I Know

Great job! Get ready to start a new exciting lesson. Welcome to this brand
new lesson wherein you will be able to learn more about the impact of social
reforms in a society. From the previous lesson, we have learned that social
inequality connotes variations of behaviours, intellectual capability of a person
which triggers division of socioeconomic status in a society. We learned that people
living with power, wealth, and prestige has greatly effect in every members of the
society.
In this module, we will tackle deeper on what brings people change to
navigate the beliefs, norms and ways of people living in a society. Let us all learn
together to value our differences, inequalities in order to promote favourable living
environment. Let us appreciate our individuality and embrace changes by looking
into possibilities that living in a diverse community hold common goals and
interests.

To start with, let’s check your prior knowledge and understanding on the
effect of social reforms. Let’s begin.

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Directions: Read each statement carefully. Choose the correct answer. This
exercise is formulated to assess your understanding in the context of this module.

1. What do you a call a society’s ranking system into its people according to its
class, status, political power, role, wealth and the like?
a. social inequality b. social stratification
c. social mobility d. capital
2. Sociologists defined society into two angles, which of the following angles that
represents group of people or an organization?
a. concrete terms b. social terms
c. status d. abstract terms
3. We all know that society is composed of group of people sharing same values,
interest, and more. Which of the following qualities that does not support
harmonize society?
a tolerance b support
c agreement d desire
4. Do you believe that one of the reasons that provoke social differences is because
of technological modernization?
a. No, modernization creates wider opportunities.
b. Yes, technological advances and transformations affect social needs.
c. No, it gives empowerment and broader understanding of today’s life
situation.
d. Yes, because that’s how it should be, let’s face it.
5. It refers to differences between culturally defined groups of people within a
society.
a. vertical inequality
b. horizontal inequality
c. environmental inequality
d. social inequality
6. Can a military strength also become a source of inequality?
a. yes, when one state is more powerful than the other.
b. yes, depending on the government prowess.
c. no, it’s a way of defending a nation.
d. no, it’s serve how strong the militarization of the country.
7.Which of the following connotes social inequality?
a. Gender inequality
b. Ethnic minorities
c. Person with disabilities
d. all of the above
8. Which graphic concept best illustrates the concept of social stratification?.
a. pyramid b. pie chart
c. bar graph d. flag poles
9. If poverty is necessary within a society, so as conflict?
a. yes b. no
c. maybe d. impossible
10. Which of the following statement is true.
a. The income gap between the rich and the poor is very visible in the
context of the Philippine society.
b. Poverty is like a plague without a visible cure.
c. In the Philippines, many people regard themselves as living in poverty.
d. all of the above.

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Lesso
n
Factors Causes Social,
Political, Cultural change
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Social inequality reflects innate differences between individuals varying
abilities and efforts. Someone may be possesses extraordinary intelligence and
skills to achieve their wealth and status. With the presence of diverse cultural
backgrounds, norms and traditions, social inequality is the common factor within a
society that reflects unequally distribution of social classes and interest.

Inequality means there is a gap between the highest income earners and the
lowest income earners. You can argue that inequality has many disadvantages and
is evidence of fundamental problems in society.

What’s In

1. What caused social inequality?

2. What are the most important factors of social change?

Notes to the Teacher

After doing the activities given in this module, instruct the learner
to answer the guide questions in each activity. S/He may write
his answer in a separate sheet.

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 What’s New

Pros and Cons of Inequality

Society may come to the perspective that unfair behaviour is unacceptable or
undesirable. The impacts of political, social and cultural change weigh advantages
and disadvantages in dealing such influences. When assessing whether inequality
is beneficial or not, it is important to know the causes of inequality.

Social change affect or characterize every aspect of society across the world
Macros scale, shape all of our major social institution (economics, politics, religion,
family, education, military, legal system and so on. Micro scale, shape our values,
attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. In general, they influence our ways of life. In the
context that shapes the identity of an individual, also becomes the source of the
constraints that may limit his/her potential to achieve an aspired social desirable.

Factors of Social Change

1. Physical Environment

Human life is closely destined with the geographical condition of a place.

People entirely depend on their environment, to work, and even looking for food in
dealing everyday life situation. Rising and falling of civilisations greatly influenced
geographical conditions. Generally, changes in physical environment force
migration of people in large numbers and this brings major changes in social
behaviours, norms, and cultural values. Though physical environment is an
important factor which affects social life, it does not justify to be the only factor
responsible for the development of human society.

2. Biological Factor

Demographic factor is concerned with the size and structure of human

population. Social structure of a society is closely related with changes in the size,
composition and distribution of population. Such changes can definitely lead to
family conflict, kinship, political relationship and other institutions. Increase in
population entirely affects the economic which leads to poverty.

3. Cultural Factor

It is a fact that there is a connection between our beliefs and social

institutions, our values and social relationships. Values, beliefs, ideas are the basic
elements of a culture. All cultural changes involve social change. Thus, any change
in the culture brings a corresponding change in the whole social order.

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 4. Ideational Factor
Among the cultural factors affecting social change in modern times, the
development of science thought have contributed a lot to the development of
modern outlook. We no longer obey many customs or habits purely because they
have the age-old tradition. Ideational changes are important contributory factors to
many or most types of social change. Ideas and ideologies together are powerful
motivating forces in social change.

5. Economic Factor

Of economic influences, the most far-reaching is the impact of

industrialisation. It has revolutionised the whole way of life, institutions,
organizations, and community life. Traditional production systems, levels of
production were fairly static since they were geared to habitual, customary needs.
Modern industrial promotes the constant revision of the technology of production, a
process into which science is increasingly drawn.

6. Political Factor

State is the most powerful organization which regulates the social

relationships. It has the power to legislate new laws, repeal old ones to bring social
change in the society. In many societies the political leadership control the
economy. Scientific-technological and non-technological change are also dependent
on political development which indirectly affects social change.

Social stratification

It refers to a society’s ranking of its people into socioeconomic tiers based on

factors like wealth, income, race, education and power. Social stratification has
been part of all societies which took place in various part of the world.

Social Inequality

It refers to the state of unequal distribution of valued goods and

opportunities. All societies today have social inequality. Most of us are accustomed
to thinking of stratification as economic inequality. Social inequality however is just
as harmful as economic discrepancy. Prejudice and discrimination – whether
against a certain race, ethnicity, religion, or the like – can become a causal factor
by creating and aggravating conditions of economic inequality, both within and
between nations.

Problems of Inequality

1.Inequality arising from monopoly power

If firms have monopoly power, they are in position set higher prices to
consumers. Here, the inequality is based on an unfair distribution of power in
society.

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 2. Inequality arising from monopsony power
It occurs, when a firm has marker power in employing workers at a wage
below the competitive equilibrium. It means wage workers are paid will be lower
that the marginal revenue product of labour. This leads to an unfair distribution of
income away from workers.
3. Social Problems

Arguably inequality can lead to social friction. It can be a factor in

precipitating riots or higher crime levels. In this case, all members of society lose
out.
4. Unemployment

The biggest cause of relative poverty is unemployment. Unemployment is

considered a type of market failure because it represents an inefficient allocation of
resources in a free market.

5. Inherited Wealth

Inherited wealth gives people an unfair advantage in life.

Activity 1- Mind Mapping “I am Part of It”

Draw and illustrate mind mapping where you can execute new information
and ideas from a major concept. Describe, reflect inequality in your own
understanding.

INEQUALITY

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 What is It

What is Social Change?

It refers to any significant alteration over time in behaviour patterns and
cultural values and norms. Today’s sociologist readily acknowledge the vital role
that social movements play in inspiring discontented members of a society to bring
about social change..
Sources of Social Change
Population Growth and Composition
Much of the discussion so far has talked about population growth as a major
source of social change as societies evolved from older to modern times. Yet even in
modern societies, changes in the size and composition of the population can have
important effect for other aspects of a society.

Culture and Technology

Culture and technology are other sources of social change. Changes in
culture can change technology; changes in technology can transform culture; and
changes in both can alter other aspects of society. As the world becomes a smaller
place, it becomes possible for different cultures to have more contact with each
other. This contact, too, leads to social change to the extent the one culture adopts
some of the norms, values, and other aspects of another culture.

Cultural Lag

When there is a change in one aspect of society or culture, this change often
leads to and even forces a changed in another aspect of society or culture. However,
often some time lapses before the latter change occurs. Cultural lag refers to this
delay between initial social change and the resulting social change.

The Natural Environment

Changes in the natural environment can also lead to changes in a society

itself. We see the clearest evidence of this when a major natural calamities occurs
such earthquake, landslide, flash flood or another natural disaster strikes. Slower
changes in the environment can also have a large social impact. As noted earlier,
one of the negative effects of industrialization has been the increase in pollutions or
our air, water and ground.

Social Conflict: War and Protest

Change also results from social conflict, including wars, ethnic conflict,
efforts by social movements to change society, and efforts by their opponents to
maintain the status quo. The immediate impact that wars have on societies is
obvious, as the deaths of countless numbers of soldiers and civilians over the ages
have affected not only the lives of their loved ones but also the course of whole
nations.

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Activity 2. My Opinion Matters
In your notebook answer the following questions.

1. How does social inequality develop in a society?

2. How can inequality be an issue?

3. What is Social Change?

Lesso
n
Features of Societies and
Global Community
2
What’s More

Human society in comparison with other societies, is unique in several

respects. In order to interpret society in a wider sense, it is necessary to examine
the basic elements or characteristics which constitute society.

It was taken to mean as tissues or manners and customs that hold a group
of people together. In sense, society represented something more enduring and
deeper than the state, less manipulative and certainly more elusive. Sociologists
have define society with two angles: 1. Abstract terms, network relationship
between people or between groups. 2. Concrete terms, as a collection of people or
an organization of persons. Talcott Parson wrote: “Society may be regarded as the
most general term referring to the whole complex of relations of man to his fellows.”

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 Characteristics

1. Society is abstract

If society is viewed as web of social relationship, it is distinct from physical

entity which we can see and perceive through senses. Social relationships are
invisible and abstract. We can just realize them but cannot see or touch them.
Therefore, society is abstract.

2. Likeness and difference in society

Society involves both likeness and difference. If people are all exactly alike,
merely alike, their relationship would be limited. If all men, thought alike, felt alike,
and acted alike, if they had the same standards and same interests, if they all
accepted the same customs and echoed the same opinions without questioning and
without variation, civilization could never have advanced and culture would have
remained simple. Thus, society needs difference also for its existence and
continuance.

3. Cooperation and conflict in society

Cooperation and conflicts are universal elements in human life. Society is

based on cooperation but because of internal differences, there is conflict also
among its members. If there is no conflict, even in small measure, society may
become stagnant and people may become inert and inactive.

4. Society is a process and not a product

Society exists only as a time sequence. It is becoming, not a being; a process

and not a product (Maclver and Page, 1956). In other words , as soon as the
process ceases, the product disappears.

5. Society as a system of stratification

Society provides a system of stratification of statuses and classes that each

individual has a relatively stable and recognisable position in the social structure.

6. Interdependence

Society implies interdependence. It is not possible for human being to satisfy

his desire in isolation. He cannot live alone. Society fulfil all the needs of the
people.

Reducing Social Inequality

Inequalities based on income, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, race,

class, ethnicity, religion and opportunity. Reducing these social and economic
inequalities among is not only key to ensuring that no one is left behind, it is also a
necessary condition for sustainable poverty reduction and social cohesion.
Inequality is a major obstacle to sustainable economic growth. To reduce
inequality, we must understand its causes and consequences, which can be
complex and deeply rooted in social, economic, political and environmental system
and resources.

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 1. Empower women and create opportunities for youth and disadvantaged
communities.
2. Increase economic inclusion and create decent work and higher incomes.
3. Enhance social services and ensure access to social protection.
4. Develop fair and transparent tax systems
5. Encourage domestic resources mobilization and stimulate public and private
sector development.
6. Open and democratic trade policy, transparent trade policy that is open,
transparent, and accountable to the people.
7. Workers’ right to organize, has always been a basis of more equal societies
and should be prioritized and protected wherever this basic right is violated.
8. New Economics, that works to improve the lives of everyone, not just those
already well off.

Activity 3-“Fear and Fair”

Cite a group or organizations, which you believe change your views in social
inequality. Write down your fear in joining this group and how this group manage
your to overcome your fear.

Group Fear / Hesitation Positive Outlook / Impact

Guide Questions

1. How was the reaction of the group when you joined them?
2. How do you feel when joining the group?
3. What are your considerations in joining this group?
4. Have you ever felt hesitant in moving into this group? Why?
5. Have you ever think many times before joining the group? Justify your answer.

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 What I Have Learned

Activity 4- Venn Diagram “Juan4Phil”

This activity allows the students to differentiate Philippines to any other

countries in coping COVD19 pandemic in terms or preparation, awareness in
decreasing number of cases.

Philippines Other country

Guide Questions

1. How these countries differentiate from each other?

2. How leaders of these countries take necessary measures in fighting this global
pandemic?

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 What I Can Do

Activity No. 5. “My Locality amidst Covid19 Pandemic”

Instruction: Create a short narrative on how effective the preparedness of your
locality in secluding from this crisis. How the local government addressed equality
to its constituents. Your narrative should consist of 150 – 250 words.

You will be rated as follows:

Content : 25%
Organization of Ideas : 25%
Total : 50%

Assessment

A. Identification: Identify the terms being referred to in the following statements.

Write your answer on the space provided.

1. It refers to any significant alteration over time in behaviour

patterns and cultural values and norms.
2. It refers to this delay between initial social change and the
resulting social change.

3. It refers to a society’s ranking of its people into socioeconomic

tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education and
power
4. It is concerned with the size and structure of human
population.
5. . It means wage workers are paid will be lower that the marginal
_revenue product of labour.

B. True or False: Identify the following statements if it is right and wrong. Write
True if the statement is right, False if the statement is wrong.
Write your answer on the space provided.

6. Enhance social services and ensure access to social protection

will help to reduce social inequality.

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 7. Cooperation and conflicts are universal elements in human life.
8. Gender inequality shouldn’t be an issue in achieving social
equality.
9. Discourage domestic resources mobilization and stimulate
public and private sector development
10. We can just realize them but cannot see or touch them.
Therefore, society is abstract

Additional Activities
Activity -6. Photo Grab
Capture a photo in your locality that describes unequal behavior or
situation. Say something about the photo, and how will you change this situation if
you will be given a chance.

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Answer Key

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References
Book: Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. Phoenix. page 155-264
Book: Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. Praxis. page 102-115

Internet Links:

 https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/sociology/top-6-factors-of-social-
change-explained/35127
 http://people.uncw.edu/pricej/teaching/socialchange/causes%20of%20social%20chan
ge.htm
 https://www.economicshelp.org/blog/3586/economics/pros-and-cons-of-inequality/
 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-
introductiontosociology/chapter/defining-social-stratification/
 https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/20-2-sources-of-social-
change/
 https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/society/society-sociologist-views-
characteristics-and-definitions/35064
 https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/sdg/reducing-
inequality_en
 https://inequality.org/great-divide/8-ways-reduce-global-inequality/

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 EDITOR’S NOTE
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd
SOCCSKSARGEN with the primary objective of preparing for and addressing
the new normal. Contents of this module were based on DepEd’s Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELC). This is a supplementary material
to be used by all learners of SOCCSKSARGEN Region in all public schools
beginning SY 2020-2021. The process of LR development was observed in
the production of this module. This is Version 1.0. We highly encourage
feedback, comments, and recommendations.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN
Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 228 8825 / (083) 228 1893
Email Address: region12@deped.gov.ph

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