COLEGIO DE SEBASTIAN - PAMPANGA

City of San Fernando, Pampanga

Senior High School

L earning M odule

Grade 11 Understanding Culture,

Society and Politics
2 Sem (4 Quarter)
nd th

Name: ________________________________
Grade & Section: _______________________
Date: ________________________________

Prepared by: Maegan Joyce P. Driz, LPT.

 Grade 11 – Learning Module

Content Overview
Quarter Competencies
Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
 Discuss the nature, goals and perspective in / of anthropology,
sociology and political sciences.
 Analyse the concept, aspects and changes in / of culture and
society.
 Explain the importance of cultural relativism in attaining cultural
understanding.
3rd Qtr  Analyse the significance of cultural, social political and
economic symbols and practices.
 Explain the context, content, processes and consequences of
socialization.
 Analyse the forms and functions of social organization.

 Explain the forms and functions of state and non – state

institutions.
 Examine the functions and importance of education in the society.
 Examine the concept, characteristics and form of stratification
systems using sociological perspectives.
4th Qtr
 Explain government programs and initiatives in addressing social
inequalities e.g. local, national, and global.
 Suggest ways to address social inequalities (local, national and
global)
 Examine human responses to emerging challenges in
contemporary societies.

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module

U nlocking your P otentials

Welcome to your guide through Grade 11 Understanding Culture, Society and Politics! We are happy at
Colegio de Sebastian-Pampanga as you have been promoted from Grade 10 to Grade 11. You may be
feeling great excitement and a little apprehension for this semester and that is usual and normal. Your
classmates probably have the same feeling. As you have been oriented as to how online/modular learning
works, we will further guide you through as to how learn with us during this online distance course. Read
on for more tips on getting your home schooling adventure off to a good start.

Helpful Tips:
1. Start by clearing your space, this is a mentally and physically setting aside the tasks that
await you for the day. Organizing your table and arranging your materials will be a good
start.
2. Make sure to have patience in repeating and reading lessons. Rehearsal is a key
component to memory.
3. Integrate concepts with physical movement to ease the learning process. You can use
the suggested gestures or even modify them and make your own.
4. Daily lessons may take up 30 minutes to an hour of your day on this subject or
probably one-half day in a week, but these hours/days are well spent for you to learn the
basics of the subjects in senior high school and an experience to see your progress.
5. Your teacher is always online during the scheduled class hour and you may want to
connect with your teacher via the online classes.
6. Make sure to practice academic honesty in doing assignments and projects at home.
7. Parental/guardian support maybe necessary when understanding other concepts.
8. Use common values in making decisions and choices.
9. Communicate and establish support system among your classmates and peers.
10.Take breaks and be active when necessary to avoid boredom. It will be essential to be
engaging and to insert active imaginations in lessons.
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 Grade 11 – Learning Module

Week 7 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

 Explain the forms and functions of state and non – state institutions.

Assignment
Look over the amount of reading before you begin, and make a plan to divide it up so you aren’t
trying to absorb too much information at once. If you have any questions about the reading, ask
for help or do some extra research on your own.

Lesson Summary
How Society is organized
John Donne, once wrote: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a part of the continent,
a part of the main.” Throughout life, most of the daily activities of people are performed in the company
of others. If people are deprived of the company of others for a prolonged period of time, mental
breakdown is the usual result. You on what group do you belong? What do you feel whenever you are
with your friends and family?

Group
A group is a unit of people who interact with some regularity and identify themselves as a unit
(Newman, 2012). It is a collection of people interacting together in an orderly way on the basis of shared
expectations about one’s behavior. As a result of this interaction, members feel a common sense of
“belonging”.
A group can be categorized based on number, common interest, purpose and level of interactions.

Types of Groups
According to Influence:
 Primary groups are small but intimate. Families and close friends are often the
primary groups people have. Members have direct access and interaction with
each other. Emotional bonds are formed between members and any loss in
member affects the identity and structure of the group.
 Secondary groups are formed to perform a specific purpose. Secondary groups
are often formal and impersonal.

According to membership
 In – groups provide members a sense of belongingness and loyalty. For example
being part of a basketball team lets an individual both with his or her teammates
and join pep rallies to support them.
 Out – groups are groups than an individuals is not a member. These group elicit
a sense if antagonism from a person (who maybe a member of another group)
(Newman, 2012). For example, members of the women’s basketball team may
have a sense of antagonism toward the men’s basketball team because the latter
gets more funding despite performing badly in the last season.

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Reference Group
 Reference groups provide a person with a set of standards to check against and
to know if one is doing well or where he or she needs improvement. For instance,
a neophyte scientists considers his superiors as a reference group in the same
way a budding artist looks up to his or her seasoned colleagues.

Networks
 This is the entirety of social connections an individual takes part in for whatever
purpose (economic, political, etc.) and through whatever means. For instance, a
politicians link with civil society organizations and non – government organizations
is a good example of network.

Cultural. Social and Political Institutions

Kinship, Marriage and the Household

All of us belongs to a family, clan, and household. Aristotle considered the family as having been
arisen from a man’s desire to leave something of himself. In the Philippines, the family is considered as
the foundation of the nation, as stated in the 1987 Constitution. It is a vital institution for the continued
survival of humanity because it nurtures offspring from childhood to adulthood.

Many sociologists believed that family is the most important social unit in which socialization takes
place. The family is the original primary group of most people where social experiences and interactions
commonly occur. The family is largely responsible for the process of cultural transmission by which values
and norms are taught to new members of society and incorporated on the individual solely rely on family
influence alone, the major component and dimension of his or her personality and self – concept, such
as attitudes, interests, goals, beliefs, and biases, are acquired within his or her family circle.

Family
The family is a group of people who are related by birth, marriage, and a shared residence. They
also refers to “two or more people related by blood, marriage, or adoption;” Household is defined as the
“basic residential unit where economic, production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter
are organized ad carried out”. Household and Family is considered the basic element of the society. The
household can have members aside from the family. It also has three categories; nuclear, extended and
other set up.
Nuclear Family refers to the “smallest family unit… consisting of one or two parents and offspring,
which may include a stepparent, step siblings, and adopted children (Haviland, Prins, Walrah, and
McBride, 2008: 473).” Extended family is where three or more generations from a household it is
considered as an extended family.
There are other family set – ups that exist in contemporary society, such as single – parent
families and step families. Single - parent families refer to family units with one parent or more children.
Stepfamilies are family units where one or both members have children from their previous relationship.

Kinship
The family is also the basis for kinship, which is a social structure defined by relations among
individuals linked by blood or marriage ties. Kinship is defined either by consanguinity or affinity. The
former refers to the kinship through bloodline while the latter points to the kind of kinship that is formed
out of marriage or ritual.

Kinship has been found to have a significant influence in defining the social status of indidivudlas
in many societies. In the Philippines, for example, many of the noted personalities in politics trace their
lineage to families who have held political power and social influence for many years in their respective
communities.

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Kinship by Blood
Kinship ties based on descent can be either matrilineal, patrilineal, or bilinear. Kinship
is traced through bloodline. Through the years, various descents have evolved and
institutionalized.
In Matrilineal descent, children are automatically made members of the mother’s group
only. It means that one’s descent is based on the female line.
In Patrilineal descent, children are automatically made members of the father’s group
only (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and Mcbride, 2008). It means that one’s descent is based on the
male lineage.
Bilinear kinship refers to a descent system based on both male and female lines.

Kinship by Marriage
This type of kinship is forged by marriage alliances. There are various forms of marriages,
such as monogamy, polygamy, polygyny, and polyandry. Marriage is culture – specific.
Monogamy happens when both married partners only have one spouse: each other.
Polygamy on the other hand, occurs when one individual has multiple spouses; however, even
when it is allowed, not all individuals practice it as there are economic obligations to be met, such
as paying dowry and supporting the spouse and children.
Polygamy occurs when one individual has multiple spouses; however, even when it is
allowed, not all individuals practice it as there are economic obligations to be met, such as paying
dowry and supporting the spouse and children.
Polygyny happens when one man is married to more than one woman simultaneously.
Polygyny is often practiced in societies in societies where women outnumber men in the
population. Polygyny often occurs in societies with high incidence of war and violence.
Polyandry happens when to men are socially recognized as sires and provide some
investment to the same woman and her child. We define polyandrous unions as a bond of one
woman to more than one man. In this type of union, the woman have relatively restricted sexual
rights toward her husbands because she has to cater to all them. The men or husbands are also
required to make arrangements to the woman on when to have union with her.

Political and Leadership Structure

Political structure or institution is defined as the organized way in which power is distributed and
decisions are made within a society. Power is fundamental in the normal functioning of society as expressed in
terms of force – may it be physical or psychological in nature. Authority is defined as the power widely perceived
as legitimate rather than coercive. To demonstrate the difference of power from authority, imagine a teacher
assigns a homework assigns a homework to a social studies class. The assignment can be greeted with
resistance from the students, but they still do their assignment according to the teacher’s directions. The teacher
can coerced those reluctant with the threat of poor grades; thus, the system of grading us one manifestation of
the teacher’s power. Nonetheless, coercion is not always the case because many students consider the
teacher’s power as legitimate. The preparation of assignment by the teacher and the completion of the assigned
work by the student signify conforming to classroom norms.

Centralized Political System

In large societies, authority and power are assigned to an individual (chief) or a body of individuals
(state). It was through centralized societies that inequality was first practiced because of social
stratification Chiefdom. A good example is the Varna or the Caste System of India where the inhabitants
are stratified according to their occupational statuses in society. The rulers are at the top of the caste
system, followed by the military and the craftsmen. The people that occupy the lowest strata – the
untouchables – do menial work and branched as outcasts of the community.

In a chiefdom, power and authority are bestowed to the chief because he is the highest – ranking
individual. Apart from ensuring the unity of all the members of the community, it is also the chief who
oversee all economic activities in his or her area of responsibility. It is the chief’s duty of implement a

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module
redistributive system that allows goods to be fairly distributed to his subjects; the use of surplus of goods
are also determined by the chief (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and Mcbride, 2008).
Examples of chiefdoms are found in pre – colonial Philippine societies ruled by the rajah or datu.
The most famous chieftains in Philippine history books include Rajah Matanda and Rajah Solimanof
Tondo. In Islamic societies, the counterpart of a rajah is a sultan; and among the most famous sultans in
the Philippine history are Sultan Shariff Kabungsuan, the founder of Sultanate of Maguindanao and
Sultan Kadarat, who fought against the Spanish Colonization of Mindanao and Sulu.

The State and Types of Authority

A state exists in a society with a large population that resides in a clearly bounded territory,
stratified into different social classes, and subjected to a formal government that creates and implements
laws to promote social order. (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride, 2008).
To maintain order, the state has the right to distribute authority so that bureaucracies under it,
such as the police and military can contribute as well. Through these bureaucracies, the state maintains
an impersonal but consistent presence in all parts of society. (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride,
2008).
Theory of Authority and Legitimacy based on Max Weber’s Ideal Types. This theory describes
the continuum of authority and bureaucracy. Intersections of these ideal types may occur in real life.

Traditional Authority
Authority is based on a system that is believed to have “always existed”. Some people
have this type of authority because they inherited it or they occupy a position that has been passed
on to them. The legitimacy of this type of authority is based on long – established customs and
traditions that do not need to be justified. Example of traditional authority are those exercised by
elders in a tribe or an indigenous people’s group as well as by monarchs who have inherited their
power and authority.

Charismatic Authority
Charismatic Authority is based on presumed special and extraordinary characteristics or
qualities possessed by a certain individual. People with charisma are often very popular, highly
persuasive, and inspire loyalty and obedience from other people. They are also often seen as
“leaders” and “heroes”. Charisma is generally considered a gift or an innate quality unique to a
person, but there are also instances when it can be manufactured through the use of propaganda.
Charismatic authority is the most unstable type of authority as leaders may eventually “lose” their
charisma when people’s views regarding them change. Historical figures who exemplified
charismatic authority include revolutionary Cuban leaders Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra,
Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Tse Tsung, US President John F. Kennedy, UK Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher, Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.

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Legal – Rational
Legal – rational authority is the most typical type of authority in modern societies. Power and
authority in a legal – rational context are legitimized by a clearly defined set of written rules and laws.
Leaders can rightfully wield authority if they obtain their positions according to established procedures
such as elections or through appointment. Head of governments such as presidents and prime ministers
possess legal – rational authority. Economically – developed societies are most likely to have undergone
the processes of rationalization and bureaucratization and adhere most closely to the legal – rational
concept of authority.

NON – STATE INSTITUTION

Non – State actors also include banks and corporations, cooperatives and trade unions, transnational
advocacy groups, and development agencies. These groups contributed in the development of society and to
some extent enriched culture.

a. Banks and corporations. Banks along with corporations have evolved for many years and are
very much active in the economic activities of various countries all over the world.
b. Cooperatives and trade unions. Cooperatives give importance on democratic processes, such
as voting systems, participations of members in decision – making, and equal sharing of work
and benefits. Cooperatives are integrated in society or communities. For example, some
cooperatives offer educational opportunities to non – members and support community projects.
c. Trade Union – to bargain is an organization of workers. It is composed of workers that have
come together to achieve common goals, such as ensuring higher pay and benefits, acquiring
health care and retirements benefits, and improving working conditions.
d. Transnational advocacy groups. According to authors Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink,
transnational advocacy networks or groups “are networks of activists, distinguishable largely by
the centrality of principled ideas or values in motivating their formation.”
e. Development Agencies. A development agency performs four key roles. First a development
agency performs an economic role. It helps build markets and encourages entrepreneurial
activities in countries. Second, it performs a leadership role; it provides long term plans for
countries. Third, it helps coordinate development plans and strategies among stakeholders, such
as government, private sectors, and civic sectors. Fourth, a development agency can als
implement development strategies or projects.

At the end of the lesson we learned that:

 Kinship is “a network if relatives within which individuals possess certain mutual rights and
obligations.”
 Family is defined as “two or more people related by blood, marriage or adoption.”
 Household is the basic residential unit of society where economic production, consumption,
inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out”.
 Political organization are created to maintain social order.
 Political systems are either centralized or uncentralized.
 Authority is a crucial element in a political system.
 Authority is characterized as traditional, charismatic, rational, and even by state actors.

Note to you!
Now that you are done reading and studying our lesson, you may now proceed into answering the activities
below. Remember, you can always go back and review to answer your activities.

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Activity
General Instruction: Complete each activities and make sure to answer truthfully.

Activity 1. The Last Oasis. The teacher will group you into five or seven groups; imagine that
you belong to a band of nomadic people travelling in a desert looking for an oasis. Each group
should have five members who will act as: (1) pregnant woman, (2) local healer, (3) community
leader, (4) cook, and (5) farmer. One day, the group discovered that there is only one oasis in
the desert that can only accommodate four (4) individuals. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation
to discuss your valid reasons for your choices, which you will present in class. (For pure modular
students, pair with your class and pass a 2 paragraph essay explaining your decision.)

Learning Assessment
Understanding Culture, Society, and Not yet
Developing Achieved Notes
Politics evident
Explain the forms and functions of
state and non – state institutions.

References
Joefe B. Santarita, R. M. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc. .
Maria Ela Atienza, e. a. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module

Week 8 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

 Examine the functions and importance of education in the society

Assignment
What is Education for All initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO)? What is the aim of “Education for All”?

Look over the amount of reading before you begin, and make a plan to divide it up so you aren’t trying
to absorb too much information at once. If you have any questions about the reading, ask for help or do
some extra research on your own.

Lesson Summary
Education is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the
powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature
life. Education according to Dr. William Little (2014) is a social institution where society’s children are taught
basic academic knowledge, learning skills, and cultural norms. The word education is derived from the Latin
word “educare” which means “to train”, “to rear or bring up (a child)”

Educational institutions are created to give young people formal training in the skills that
they will need in later in life. Beyond the institution of family, it is educational institutions that
handles the responsibility of teaching individuals what it is to be a member of society, how to
live in it, and how to help it survive. As societies progress and become more complex, so does the
schooling system: primary, secondary, tertiary, graduate, post – graduate, or vocational training.
Education equips people with knowledge and skills that will position each member for a specific place
in a society (Newman, 2012: 30).

Educational Institutions like schools do not only ensure a literate population; they also
transmit culture. The beliefs, norms, values, and practices of a society are taught in classrooms.
Educational institutions are also cultural institutions that serve as depositories and preservers of culture.
Schools also provide its students with a sense of history and common national culture binds members
of the society with one another. Schools can therefore be means for the state to create loyal citizenry.

In a context of a society with a market – oriented economy, schools also provide students
vital and necessary skills that prepare them for work. In a more general perspective, educational
institutions feed the economy with skilled and competent individuals to ensure continuous economic
productivity. The proponents of the K to 12 Curriculum in the Philippines argue that the program
would better prepare students for the domestic and international market.

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Educational institutions have since changed in contrast to the previous periods in history.
Educational institutions then were mainly elitist as they were limited to those who could afford
expenses and those who had access to the universities. Educational institutions then were also
limited to men. Today, it is the primary objective of educational institutions to provide universal
education regardless of social status. There are now diverse ways of having education and earning
a degree. Some students opt to be home-schooled whereby the level of quality of education is on a par
with traditional schools. In the Philippines, other students choose to enrol in the Department of
Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS), which is a ladderized, non – formal education program
specifically catering to dropouts, out-of-school youth, and senior citizen.

Formal schooling allows people and experiences enter into the socialization process. In
school, children learn to interact with people beyond their family domains. As they encounter
greater social diversity, they become aware of their social categories. Schools also provide children
opportunities to interact in groups, enabling them to discover individual differences like sexual and
gender roles, personality and preferences, attitudes and values, and capacities and capabilities for
growth and survival (e.g. being and becoming male or female, making it to the top ten of the class or
not, to go to remedial classes or to go home early, etc.). Schooling lets children discover a new setting
of social activity in the so-called peer group, people with common interests and social position, who are
usually of the same age. Peer groups are usually drawn from neighbourhood playmates that become
friends and leisure activity groups.

Education has two primary functions:

1. Develop a productive citizenry – It’s through schools that individuals are politically
socialized through a curriculum designed by the state. Through education, people are
taught to develop positive outlooks toward concepts like liberty and democracy, as well
as view the government as an n organization of authority. (Magstadt, 2013). For instance,
civil society organizations in the Philippines, frequently affiliated to educated and learned
technocrats, non – government organizations, and business sectors are recognized for
their significant contributions in upholding democratic processes in the country’s politics
and economy.
2. Promote self – actualization – educators should aim to let students discover personal
meanings and develop and develop their own perceptions about themselves as their
environment. (Kellough, 1968)

Formal, Informal, and Non – formal Education

Formal Education
Formal education is the one that works under the framework set by individual boards of
education. The orderly learning environment includes educational institutions, classrooms, specially
trained teachers, teaching equipment, extracurricular activities, competitions, examinations and
curriculum or syllabus. Formal education, as the name suggests, is very structures in natures as proper
guidelines are laid, and the students are expected to work under these guidelines.

Informal Education
Informal education is the type of knowledge that one gains through several life experience. This
knowledge can be the one that we obtain from our parents and elders. Individual necessary skills of life
that are important for survival and sustenance comes under this category. It does not contain the
theoretical knowledge of the books. Learning to drive, cook, make specific arrangements, and booking
appointments are some examples of informal education. Informal education is gained under the
influence of society and the community.

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Non – Formal Education
Non – formal education is one that framed according to the requirement of a particular job. This
type of training is not considered as a necessity but more of a skill. Such kind of education should be
promoted more as they are proficient in catering to industrial needs. A proper framework can be
developed in making this education more mainstream.

Education as a Basic Human Right

The importance attached by many societies to education is connected to the idea that it
is a basic human right, which everyone in the planet is entitled. This is not however, the case to
some countries where children are exposed to conflicts and wars; whereby instead of holding a pencil
and paper to write, they pick guns to fight. Children who suffer from malnutrition and hunger in many
parts of Africa perceive the right to education as a form of hope that will let them uplift their lives amidst
crisis and disasters.

In the Philippines, state subsidies to education has become a debatable legislative

agenda because of the rising cost of education and highly commercialized schooling.
Pedagogical standards in the country are also put into question as gauged from the very low
compensation of teachers, poor learning facilities and services, and lack of motivation from both
teachers and learners. Also, quality of education is affected by cycles of societal problems, such as
worsening poverty conditions and deteriorations of family values

Filipinos value education as a birth right or inheritance to be passed on to the next

generation, not just a basic right. Such prestige makes educational attainment a barometer in
measuring status and rank in society. A household that produces successful professionals are
praised for raising obedient and persevering children despite the numerous sacrifices it entailed.

Note to you!
Now that you are done reading and studying our lesson, you may now proceed into answering the
activities below. Remember, you can always go back and review to answer your activities.

Learning Assessment
Understanding Culture, Society, and Not yet
Developing Achieved Notes
Politics evident
Examine the functions and importance
of education in the society

References
Globale, E. (2020, February 22). Ecole Globale. Retrieved from Ecole Globale:
https://ecoleglobale101.medium.com/types-of-education-formal-informal-and-non-formal-
aee0495004a9
Joefe B. Santarita, R. M. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc. .
Maria Ela Atienza, e. a. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: C & E Publishing,
Inc.

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module

Week 9 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

 Examine the concept, characteristics and form of stratification systems using sociological
perspectives.

Assignment
Look over the amount of reading before you begin, and make a plan to divide it up so you aren’t trying to
absorb too much information at once. If you have any questions about the reading, ask for help or do
some extra research on your own.

Lesson Summary
The concept of the poor and the rich is a constant concept of Filipino teleseryes even some Korean
Dramas. These teleseryes always end up with the poor being successful in life and being one of the upper social
classes. This concepts give Filipinos a sense of hope, that with hard work and positivity one may achieve what
he or she desires. These classes upper, lower and middle, can be seen in the society where you belong.
Categorizing individuals or group of people based on factors such as power, wealth and prestige is called Social
Classes. Social Stratification on the other hand is the layering of social classes from higher to lower.

Social Stratification
Social Stratification refers to the division of large social groups into smaller groups based on categories
determined by economics. Members of society are arranged in a hierarchy based on their access or control over
basic economic resources. Below is a pyramid of social classes.

UPPER CLASS

MIDDLE CLASS

LOWER CLASS

Upper Class is the class described by sociologist as elite individuals or group of people that are most
successful in their respective areas. These people maybe stockholders and investors in a very well – known
companies from different industries here and abroad. Middle class on the other hand are mostly professional
individuals or groups of people like lawyers, doctors, managers, owners of small businesses etc. they are able
to meet their needs and wants without even worrying about their finances because of the job and salary they
have. The lower part of the pyramid or Lower Class are the skilled and unskilled artisan, farm employees,
underemployed, and indigent families. These people lack revenue or income and educational training or
background.
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Social Stratification gives rise to inequality in society, as members are distinguished by their membership
in and relation to social groups and categories. In a larger traditional societies and in several countries today,
the common bases of social stratification include wealth, property, access to material and cultural goods, and
access to political power. Race, gender, are other identifiable bases of social stratification; and the influence of
social stratification on politics and social relations differs from society to society.

Characteristics of Social Stratification

Let’s take a look at the different characteristic of social stratification. Social Stratification is:

1. Universal. There is no society on this world that is free from stratification/ modern stratification
differs from stratification of primitive societies. It is a worldwide phenomenon.
2. Social. One’s education, property, power, experience, character, personality are found to be more
important than biological qualities therefore, stratification is social by nature.
3. In diverse forms. The forms of stratification is not uniform in all the societies. Every society, past
or present, big or small is characterized by diverse forms of social stratification.
4. Persists across generations. Stratification serves to categorize and rank members of society
across generations, resulting in different life chances.
5. A social belief. A society’s cultural beliefs tell us how to categorize people and they define
inequalities of a stratification system as being normal or even fair. If the people don’t believe that
the system is right, it won’t last.

Social Mobility System

Social Mobility is an individual ability to move from one place to another along the stratified positions of
society. (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride, 2008). The ease or difficulty an individual’s experiences in
moving from one social position to another is highly dependent on the type of society he or she lives in.

Open Society
A society is considered open when stratification is based on social classes, where people’s social
position or status are determined by economic wealth and income. An open system facilitates social
mobility based on personal efforts and individual achievements (Kottak, 2000). People live and succeed
in an open society by achieving their goals and improving their condition in life.

The privileges present in an open society include the freedom to move from the bottom if the
social ladder to the top through individual efforts and success. Ideally, ascribed statuses are irrelevant in
an open society. Instead, it combines ascribed statues and personal achievement or ascribed statues in
a way that allows some social mobility. The following scenarios serve as examples.

A poor family can improve their social and economic statues through hard work and
perseverance. Parents work hard and send their children to school. In turn, the children study hard and
graduate in college, thus allowing them to look for better jobs, gain a higher social standing by earning
more, and help their parents. A poor teenager becomes an actress – singer after winning a television
contest.

Closed Society
A society is closed when changes or shifts in social positions or social mobility are limited; and in
some even prohibited. In a closed society, prevailing cultural norms, laid down through laws (both secular
and religious) prohibits a person from moving upwards on the social ladder. In some societies, laws
governing mobilization are codified and considered as conventional standards. Any violation to such
norms is punishable by death.

India’s Caste System is probably one of the best – known forms of close system. In a caste
system, people are born into their social classes (inherited from their parents) and remain there for the

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rest of their lives (Newman, 2012). It is very difficult to shift from one social position to another as laws,
both legal and religious, prohibit any movement between the very clearly established boundaries of caste.
(Newman, 2012)

Social Stratification in Sociological Perspective

Functionalism
Social Inequality brought by social stratification base from wealth, prestige, and power of social groups,
is indeed functional in the society according to Functionalist theory. Every social class has a certain purposes to
play in the society. Social stratification is necessary because it motivates individuals to be more efficient and
productive in their tasks. Stratification is further defined by the fact that highly demanding jobs that require more
skills to perform can only be performed by a few, select individuals.

Conflict Theory
This sociological perspective is the opposite of the latter. Conflict theorist believe that stratification
perpetuates inequality. Karl Marx viewed social stratification s creation of inequality between the rich and the
poor, or the powerful versus the powerless. He considered society as being divided between two groups: the
bourgeois or capitalists who own the factors of production such as resources, land, and business. Meanwhile,
the proletariat belongs to the lower classes, lack power and influence and experiences great hardships. Marx
believed that the inequality prevalent in societies causes workers to experience alienation, isolation, and great
misery due to their powerless status the inequalities brought about by social stratification lead to class conflict.
Symbolic Interaction
Symbolic Interactionism refrains from looking into the larger structural factors that define social
stratification and contribute to inequality and poverty. Instead, it examines stratification from a micro level
perspective and attempts to explain how people’s social standing affects their everyday interactions. Social
stratification, for symbolic interactionist, often lead people to interact with others within their own social class –
people who have the same background, interests, and way of life. Social stratification, therefore, is a system that
groups people together.

The Philippine Pre – Colonial Social Stratification

Did you know that before we were colonized by the Spaniards, the Philippine pre – colonial society was
already establishing social stratification through factors such as wealth, power, rights, privileges, entitlement and
achievements? These are group people and their description.

The TIMAWA. They were the majority of the barangay community. They were free. They could
acquire property, have any job they wanted, pick their own wives, and acquire an alipin. They
were expected to support the datu and pay their taxes; hence, their importance in the community
was evident.

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The MAGINOO. They were the ruling class, the educated class, the royal class, and the privileged
class which the datu came from. The datu was the head of the community called a barangay. He
is synonymous to a monarch, rajah, sultan, and kin to other countries.

The ALIPIN. They had the least rights. They served their masters who belonged to one of the
classes that is above them. The Alipin was likely a servant at home such as doing the household
chores and cooking, or aided the timawa with their duties at work.

The MAHARLIKA. They were well respected if not revered by the barangay. Unlike the timawa,
they were not expected to pay taxes. They would provide protection to the barangay and were
responsible for providing and preparing the weapons at their own expense.
Note to you!
Now that you are done reading and studying our lesson, you may now proceed into answering the activities
below. Remember, you can always go back and review to answer your activities.

Activity
Activity 1. Multiple Choice. Read each items carefully and encircle the letter that to the correct answer.
1. Which of the following is not considered as a social class?
a. Upper class
b. Middle class
c. Lower class
d. Lower – middle class
2. Which of the following groups belong to the upper class during the Philippine pre – colonial
social stratification?
a. The Alipin
b. The Maginoo
c. The Maharlika
d. The Timawa
3. Which of the following describes the upper class?
a. A person who owned businesses, an investor.
b. A person who can afford to buy clothe and shoes.
c. A person who can buy a lot foods and drinks for his family.
d. A person who do not have enough money to make ends meet.
4. Which type of status is earned by an individual?
a. Achieved status
b. Ascribed status
c. In a relationship status
d. Singe status
5. Which of the following groups belong to the lower class during the Philippine pre – colonial
social stratification?
a. The Alipin
b. The Maginoo
c. The Maharlika
d. The Timawa
6. Which of the following choices best define the concept of social stratification?
a. It refers to people in elite category
b. It is the study of indigenous people
c. It refers to people living in immense poverty
d. It refers to grouping of social classes base on the factors such as power, wealth,
and prestige.
7. How social stratification does perpetuates inequality according to Conflict Theorist?
a. Proletariats were oppressed by bourgeois that causes workers t experience
alienation, isolation and great misery

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module
b. Bourgeois were oppressed by the proletariats that causes the landlords work
experience alienation, isolation and great misery.
c. People only interact with others within their own social – class.
d. Every members of the society have their own function or roles that require certain
skills.
8. Does social stratification persist across generation?
a. No, it does not affect any generation in any parts of the world.
b. No, because everyone believes he or she belongs to a social class already.
c. Yes, because it shows up in every society in the world but how exactly it looks like
vary from society to society.
d. Yes, stratification serves to categorize and rank members of society, across
generations resulting in different chances.
9. Which of the following is not a determinant of social class?
a. Education
b. Intelligence
c. Power
d. Property
10. Do social stratification vary from society to society?
a. Yes, the forms of stratification is not uniform in all the societies.
b. Yes, the forms of stratification is not uniform in all the societies, the caste system
of India is different from the class system here in the Philippines.
c. No, every social stratification is the same regardless of the type of society.
d. No, societies are the same so therefore, all social stratification / social class is the
same too.

Activity 2. Caste System VS Class System. Identify three (3) major differences and similarities between the
caste systems in ancient India and the class system in modern – day Philippine society. Fill the differences and
similarities in the Venn diagram below. Afterwards, explain on the space provided these differences and
similarities in order to fully understand stratification system.

CASTE CLASS

1. ____________ 1. ____________
2. ____________ 1. 2. ____________
____________ 3. ____________
3. ____________ 2.
____________
3.
____________

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module
CASTE SYSTEM Similarities CLASS SYSTEM
Your explanation: Your explanation: Your explanation:
1.___________________________ 1.________________________ 1._________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
______________. __________________________ ______________________.
.
2.___________________________ 2.________________________ 2._________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
___________________________. __________________________ ___________________________
_____________. ________.
3.___________________________ 3.________________________ 3._________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
_____________________________ __________________________ ___________________________
___________________________. __________________________ ___________________________
_____________. ________.

Learning Assessment
Understanding Culture, Society, and Not yet
Developing Achieved Notes
Politics evident
Examine the concept, characteristics and
form of stratification systems using
sociological perspectives.

References
Alamag, F. F. (2020). Understanding Culture Society and Politics. Cainta , Rizal: DepEd - Region IV -
Calabarzon.
Joefe B. Santarita, R. M. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc. .
Maria Ela Atienza, e. a. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: C & E Publishing,
Inc.

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module

Week 10 & 11 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

 Explain government programs and initiatives in addressing social inequalities e.g. local, national, and
global.
 Suggest ways to address social inequalities. (local, national and global)

Assignment
Look over the amount of reading before you begin, and make a plan to divide it up so you aren’t trying to
absorb too much information at once. If you have any questions about the reading, ask for help or do
some extra research on your own.

Lesson Summary
Social Inequality refers to the unequal access to social, political and symbolic capital of
individuals in society. This phenomenon exists every time individuals and institutions are categorized
or differentiated into classes of distinct groups, or socially in constructed as disparate entities. People
can also experience social inequality because of their race, sex, and gender. Stereotyping, prejudice,
and discrimination result from social inequality, and maybe experience through persona interactions or
through institutions.

Social Inequality based on Sex and Gender

Members of society are socialized into being boys or girls and men or women. Sex and gender
inequality is not just about placing or designating gender labels; it is also a form of negative socialization
in a stratified society. (Newman, 2012). Any form of deviance becomes subject to ridicule, stereotyping,
and even bashing or discrimination. For instance, a female who acts boyish is tagged as a lesbian; a
male with effeminate qualities is branded gay. This labelling is called gender stereotyping. Sex roles
also dictates gender roles. Sexism also results to social inequality. Sexism is a system of beliefs, rooted
in the assertion that men and women are naturally different. It promotes the perceived superiority of
one sex and tolerates genders discrimination. (Newman, 2012). Gender Inequality occurs mostly in a
patriarchy or male – dominated society.

Social Inequality based on Race and Ethnicity

Individuals are also categorized according to race. This occurs when the inborn biological
features of people (such as their skin color, hair texture, and eye shape) are used as basis of their
social status. Meanwhile, ethnicity is a grouping of people whose common identity is determined
according to their non - biological traits like language, culture, history, etc. (Newman, 2012).
Racism is also a type of social inequality. Racism also added to the inequalities present in the
society.

Social Inequality based on Disability

People with disabilities do not just suffer inequality because they are handicapped. They further
experience inequality because some societies do not cater to their needs. Stereotyping of people with

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module
disabilities as useless also limits their opportunities in society. Poverty and disability has a close
relationship. Disability also aggravate poverty because people with disabilities are economically
isolated.

Global Inequality
Global inequality includes the concentration of resources in certain powerful countries while
other countries are left behind; thus, affecting the opportunities and lives of people impoverished and
less powerful countries. Globalization creates unbalanced outcomes. While wealth is created in
powerful economies and countries because of globalization, some countries and people are unable to
enjoy the benefits of globalization.

Government Initiated Programs

The following table shows some of the programs the government has developed to help alleviate
social inequalities in the country.

Institutional Project
Program Description Agency
/ Initiative
It is a human development measure of the national
The Philippine’s
government that provides conditional cash grants to the Department of
Conditional Cash
poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and Social Welfare
Transfer Program:
the education of children aged 0 – 18. It is patterned and
Pantawid Pamilyang
after the conditional cash transfer (CCT) schemes in Development
Pilipino Program
Latin American and African countries, which have lifted (DSWD)
(4ps)
millions of people around the world from poverty.
It articulated the country’s national goals, objectives,
policies and strategies as well as the regional programs
Education For All for implementation for the first decade of the EFA Department of
(EFA) movement. Its thrusts included Early Childhood Education
Development, Universalization of Quality Primary
Education, and Alternative Learning Systems.
Under this set – up, every family in a local health system
is designated to health service provider or health facility
Service Delivery Department of
within the network to ensure sustained access to quality
Network (SDN) Health
health care across political, geographical, and
administrative boundaries.
Comprehensive The developmental program provides for the disposal of Department of
Agrarian Reform public alienable and disposable (A&D) lands with the Agrarian
Program (CARP) intent to open up frontier lands while the redistributive Reform
program involves the redistribution of property or rights
on private agricultural lands and the abolition of
agricultural (or share tenancy)

Note to you!
Now that you are done reading and studying our lesson, you may now proceed into answering the activities
below. Remember, you can always go back and review to answer your activities.

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module

Activity
Directions: You will be divided into groups (5 groups) each group must research on poverty in
the Philippines. Conduct a group discussion and answer the questions below. You will be
presenting what you have discussed in the class next week. Make sure to prepare a PowerPoint
Presentation with all the names of the members who participated.

1. Describe the condition of poor people in the country. What challenges do poor Filipinos
face as a result of their situation?
2. Analyse the statistics on poverty in the Philippines. Do these provide a complete picture
of the plight of the poor? What aspects must also be taken into consideration when looking
unto poverty? Propose an alternative measures to address these aspects.

Learning Assessment
Understanding Culture, Society, and Not yet
Developing Achieved Notes
Politics evident
Explain government programs and
initiatives in addressing social
inequalities e.g. local, national, and
global.
Suggest ways to address social
inequalities. (local, national and global)

References
Baltazar R. D. (2020). Understanding Culture Society and Politics. Cainta , Rizal: DepEd - Region IV -
Calabarzon.
Joefe B. Santarita, R. M. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc. .
Maria Ela Atienza, e. a. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: C & E Publishing,
Inc.

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module

Week 12 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

 Examine human responses to emerging challenges in contemporary societies.

Assignment
Look over the amount of reading before you begin, and make a plan to divide it up so you aren’t trying to
absorb too much information at once. If you have any questions about the reading, ask for help or do
some extra research on your own.

Lesson Summary
Societies always change. The same way that living organisms undergo growth and decay; and
communities evolve from pre – industrial to technology – driven economies. Changes that societies and people
experience comes with numerous challenges which must overcome.

Social Change is the alteration in patterns of culture, social structure, and social behavior over time. This
is the modification of mechanism, means methods, or systems within the social structure, characterized by
alterations in social relationships, social order social symbols, social organizations, value systems, or rules of
behavior.
Social Change occur because of the transformation in the physical and cultural environment that warrant
new ideas, forms and structures. Social change can also lead to the destruction and rebuilding communities.
The invention of atomic bomb led to the destruction of two Japanese cities during World War II.

Cultural change is the changes in cultural patterns of behavior and values. It could be seen in the
practices, institutions, technology, societal laws, ethos or mores (moral norms), manners, value systems,
customs, traditions, habits, beliefs, arts, music and literatures. Some of the examples are changes in the manner
of choosing a spouse and adopting a new lifestyle.

Political change on the other hand is the change in political patterns if behavior and values of individuals
as well as political institutions that hold power or control n society. Proposed changes in the type of government
in the Philippines (from Presidential to parliamentary) is a fine example of political change.

What are the Sources of Change?

Sociologists have identified four key sources of social, cultural, and political change: innovation, diffusion,
acculturation, and assimilation.

Innovation
Innovation is defined as an “independent invention to creatively find solutions to problems”. (Kottak,
2000: 74). Notable innovations help improve the lives people, providing ease, comfort, public safety, and
even access to information and ideas. Innovations has also transformed societies from primordial one to
modern communities through scientific research and technology.

Two types of Innovation

1. Primary Innovations occurs when an individual or a group comes up with a completely
new idea, method or device. (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and Mcbride, 2008). Primary

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module
innovation significantly contributes to social, cultural, and political change when it alters
the way of life and views of individuals and institutions.
2. Secondary Innovation occurs when an individual or a group further develops or
improves on an already existing idea, method, or device. (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and
Mcbride, 2008).

Diffusion
Diffusion is the spreading of culture, tradition objects, and ideas to other societies. A particular
culture can never be isolated from another culture. A society’s culture can be shared or adapted by
another society. Some cultural traits adopted by Filipinos to other cultures are the following: frugality,
industry, and business mindedness from the Chinese; religiosity and love for merriments from the
Spaniards; and high value attached to education from the Americans.

Two Type of Diffusion

1. Direct diffusion. It occurs through trade, marriage, and war (Kottak, 2000). For
instance, the use of silk cloth was introduced by the Chinese to the Filipinos through
trade. In the same way, the participation of the Philippines to the brisk Manila –
Acapulco Galleon Trade during Spanish colonial period the impetus for the diffusion
or transplantation of Mexican flora like corn and peanut to the Philippine soil so as the
Philippine Mango to Mexico.
2. Indirect diffusion. It occurs when a group comes in contact with another group
indirectly through a third party. There is no direct diffusion of cultural traits or influence
here; rather, another individual or group serves as channel in the flow of information,
idea, or cultural trait.

Acculturation
Acculturation is a product of a massive cultural change. It entails a show of force by one party
over another (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and Mcbride, 2008).acculturation can sometimes be
voluntary in nature especially if the introduced norm or trait is attractive or relevant to eh accepting
society.
The extreme form of acculturation is ethnocide or genocide. It is the aggressive and forceful
abolition of a certain group’s cultural identity through the implementation of policies that give negative
sanctions to the practices of the group’s culture (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and Mcbride, 2008).
Ethnocide or genocide occurs when a group expands its territorial claims and takes over another
group’s; members of the subjugated group absorbed by the dominant group as their subject.

Assimilation
Assimilation occurs when the minority group loses its distinctive cultural traits and adopts or
absorbs those of the dominant culture (Robertson, 1987: 288). In many cases, assimilation takes
place voluntarily like the case of Mongol rulers who absorbed Chines culture.

Social, cultural, and political change matter to human life, society, and progress because they serve as the
measurement to the rise and fall of civilization. Progress is often measured by changes in the physical and
cultural environment of society specifically the growth of localities to cities and technological advancements.

Global Warming and Climate Change

Global warming occurs when there is a sudden heating up to the earth’s surface brought about by excess
hydrocarbons and pollutants emitted from industries. These factor in turn destroy the ozone layer, which traps
the sun’s ultraviolet rays from its direct entry towards the earth. The intense heat causes the ice in the north and
south poles to melt, thus, resulting to the sudden rise of sea levels and flooding low – lying regions. Climate
change on the other hand is a result of meteorological and climatic imbalance primarily caused by global warming
and changing atmospheric phenomena often manifested through weather conditions like heavy rains and
thunderstorms during dry season and heat waves during cold and wet months. Other indicators of climate change
are the existence if disastrous typhoons and droughts.

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 Grade 11 – Learning Module
Ways to Address Global Warming
1. Current adaptation strategies
2. Vulnerability of populations to climate change
3. Mitigation and adaptation

Note to you!
Now that you are done reading and studying our lesson, you may now proceed into answering the activities
below. Remember, you can always go back and review to answer your activities.

Activity
Activity 1. Tell Me Your Story. Below is a short story on how social change occurs in an individual
through the awakening of one’s senses. Using Chung Tzu’s story as your reference, construct a 200
word essay highlighting how social change affects your life based on your own personal experience. The
change can be environmental, cultural, technological, political or even personal in nature.

“Once I, Ching Tzu, dreamed was a butterfly and was happy as a butterfly. I was conscious
that I was quite pleased with myself, but I did not know that I was Tzu. Suddenly I awoke, and
there was I, visibly Tzu. I do not know whether it was Tzu dreaming that he was butterfly or the
butterfly dreaming that he was Tzu.. Between Tzu and the butterfly there must be some
distinction. But one may be the other. This is called the transformation of things.”

Learning Assessment
Understanding Culture, Society, and Not yet
Developing Achieved Notes
Politics evident
Examine human responses to emerging
challenges in contemporary societies.

References
Cruz E. (2020). Understanding Culture Society and Politics. Cainta , Rizal: DepEd - Region IV - Calabarzon.
Joefe B. Santarita, R. M. (2016). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc. .

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