Module 1 Ucsp

Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
MODULE 1 – UCSP Subject Teacher:
Introduction to Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The learners demonstrate an understanding of:
1. human cultural variation, social differences, social change, and political identities
2. the significance of studying culture, society, and politics
3. the rationale for studying anthropology, political science, and sociology
DISCUSSION:
A. Culture – refers to the complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws,
customs and any other capabilities and habit acquired by man as a member of society.
ANTHROPOLOGY – comes from the two Greek words anthropos which means man and logos
which means science or study of.
➢ Defined as the branch of knowledge which deals with the scientific study of man, his/her
works, body, behaviour, and value in time and space.
a. Origin and Development
➢ The beginnings of anthropology date back to the period of discoveries and explorations from
15th to 18th century extending to the days of Western explorations, missionaries, and colonial
conquerors.
➢ The discoveries of antique tools and artifacts in France and other parts of Europe in the
beginning of 19th century proved the existence of man a million years ago.
➢ According to Haviland (2000),”These discoveries took place during the time when advances in
chemistry and physics were made. These aroused an interest in scientific inquiry.
b. Proponents:
➢ Modern Anthropology was pioneered by: Lewis Morgan, Edward Tylor and Herbert Spencer.
Most of the early anthropologist were armchair theorist (adopted a common sense theme of
an evolutionary view of humanity and human behaviour).
➢ Later, a higher level of research began using careful and thorough gathering of data about
individual cultures. This new approach was adopted by Franz Boas and Alfred Kroeber. They
were followed by Bronislaw Malinowski, A.R. Radcliffe-Brown, Ralph Linton, etc.
➢ In 1914, Anthropology was elevated as an academic discipline at the University of the
Philippines by H. Otley Beyer. First, it was offered as one of the courses in the Department of
History and later on merged with Sociology.
B. Society – It is a product of human processes intended to meet basic needs for survival
➢ Every Society is organized in such a way that there are rules of conduct, customs, traditions,
folkways and mores and expectations that ensure appropriate behaviour among members
(Palispis. 2007)
➢ Thus, society is an important product of human interaction and interconnectedness. It
symbolizes the group within which human beings can live a total common life
➢ Studying society provides us an idea on its importance an equal, just and humane society.
SOCIOLOGY - is the study of social behaviour or society, including its origins, development,
organization, networks, and institutions.
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
➢ It is a social science that uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to
develop a body of knowledge about social order, disorder, and change.
a. Origin and Development
➢ Sociological inquiry stated as soon as man developed some means of communication.
➢ Meanwhile, the conscious adoption of the scientific approach began in the early part of the
18th century and the first quarter of 19th century when social philosophers began to be
interested in the natural development of the sciences that would eventually lead to the
development of society.
➢ During that time, Henri de Saint-Simon wrote his ideas on the science of society which he
discussed with Auguste Comte, his student and secretary.
➢ Meanwhile, Sociology was introduced in the Philippines by Fr. Valentin Marin in 1896 when he
initiated a course on criminology at the University of Santo Thomas.
➢ In 1939, Serafin Macaraig, the first Filipino to receive a doctorate degree in Sociology
published his Introduction to Sociology which became the first text at the University of the
Philippines.
b. Proponents
1. Auguste Comte – recognized as the Father of Sociology
➢ Coined the word Sociology in 1838 to designate to his newly formulated science of the
associated life of humanity.
➢ He advocated the idea of positivism or the use of empirical investigations to understand
phenomena.
2. Herbert Spencer - viewed societies as evolutionary, coined the term the survival of the fittest,
and became known for social Darwinism.
3. Emile Durkheim - studied the social factors that underline suicide and found that the level of
social integration, the degree to which people are tied to their social group, was a key social
factor in suicide.
4. Karl Marx - founder of the conflict perspective, believed that class conflict—the struggle
between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie—was the key to human history.
5. Max Weber - defined religion as a central force in social change; for example, Protestantism
encourages greater economic development and was the central factor in the rise of
capitalism in some countries.
C. Politics – from the Greek word “polis” which means city-state

➢ Struggle between and among actors with conflicting desires and authoritative allocation of
values
➢ Is the owning and exercising of power, rule, authority, and influence for whatever reason
➢ “The essence of social existence is politics and that two or more men interacting with one
another are invariably involved in a political relationship”
➢ Accdg. to Niccolo Machiavelli : “It is safer to be feared than loved, but it is best to be
feared as to be loved”
 Standard Definition of Politics: Includes some essential Elements

1. Power - ability to exercise authority over others
2. Rule - regulation or law governing procedures in a public or private body
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
3. Authority - feature of a leader or an institution that compels others to be obedient, ability to

control or direct the action of others
4. Influence - act, process, or act of producing an effect without apparent exertion of tangible
force/direct exercise of command
POLITICAL SCIENCE
➢ A social science dealing with a systematic study of the state and government (its essential
nature, form, manifestation, organization and development).
➢ It is the systematic study of politics, or the process by which governmental decisions are
made. As a famous definition puts it, politics is determining who gets what, where, when,
and how.
➢ The student of politics, or political scientist may serve as an adviser to the political
practitioner. The political practitioner is a politician. But of course, the same person may at
the same be a political scientist and a politician. However, a political scientist as contrasted
from a politician is deeply involved in the study of politics.
a. Origin and Development: - Political science originated with the ancient Greeks in the 1st century
BCE. During this time, the philosopher Plato wrote numerous dialogues about politics, asking
about the nature of justice, what constitutes good government, and what is truly best for
humanity.
➢ His student Aristotle worked in a more scientific way, observing and describing types of
governments systematically.
➢ At the start of the 17th century, people began to apply the methods of the scientific
revolution to politics. Thomas Hobbes, for example, employed the methods of geometry to
break government down into its most basic parts in order to understand it.
➢ In the nineteenth century, thinkers such as Karl Marx and Max Weber used sociological
methods to analyze politics.
b. Proponents:
Plato – used the term “polis” (427–347 BC)
Aristotle – Father of Political Science (384–322 BC)
Niccolo Machiavelli – Father of Modern Political Science (16th century)
Jean Bodin (1530 – 1596) a French political philosopher coined the term “Political Science”
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
ACTIVITY 1
What is the Relevance/Importance of the Study of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science as a
student, as a member of society and your preferred course/track?
As a Student As a member of Society Preferred Course/Track

1. Anthropology
2. Sociology
3. Political Science
Criteria: Content Organization Mechanics TOTAL

15 5 5 25
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
V. REFERENCES:
• Baleňa, E, .et al. (2016) Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Educational
Resource Corporation
• Carayugan, M., Malit-Alicante, F. (2014) Development of Sociology Handbook through
Assessing Importance and Relevance of Sociology Topics. Baguio City: University of the
Cordilleras.
• Lanuza, Gerry M. (2016) Understanding culture, society, and politics. First edition. Manila : Rex
Book Store
• Madrid, R., Santarita, J. (2016) Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Vibal
Group, Inc.
• Palispis, S., Sampa, E. (2015) Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology. Third Edition. Manila:
Rex Book Store
• Panopio, I., Raymundo A. (2004) Sociology: Focus on the Philippines. Quezon City: Ken Inc
• Schaefer, R. (2001). Sociology (7th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill.

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Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

MODULE 1 – UCSP Subject Teacher:

Introduction to Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

MODULE 1 – UCSP Subject Teacher:

C. Politics – from the Greek word “polis” which means city-state

 Standard Definition of Politics: Includes some essential Elements

MODULE 1 – UCSP Subject Teacher:

3. Authority - feature of a leader or an institution that compels others to be obedient, ability to

MODULE 1 – UCSP Subject Teacher:

As a Student As a member of Society Preferred Course/Track

Criteria: Content Organization Mechanics TOTAL

MODULE 1 – UCSP Subject Teacher:

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