Cultural, Social, Political and

Economic Symbols and Practices

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY
AND POLITICS
First Quarter

JANSSEN MICHAEL C. VALDEZ

Developer

Department of Education • Cordillera Administrative Region

 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Cordillera Administrative Region
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ABRA
Actividad-Economia St., Zone 2, Bangued, Abra

Published by:
Learning Resource Management and Development System

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
2020

Section 9 of Presidential Decree No. 49 provides:

“No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines.
However, prior approval of the government agency of office wherein the work is
created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit.”

This material has been developed for the implementation of K-12 Curriculum
through the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID)—Learning Resource
Management Section. It can be reproduced for educational purposes and the source
must be acknowledged. Derivatives of the work including creating an edited version,
an enhancement or a supplementary work are permitted provided all original work is
acknowledged and the copyright is attributed. No work may be derived from this
material for commercial purposes and profit.

Borrowed materials (e.g., texts, illustrations, musical notations, photos, and

other copyrighted contents) included in this learning resources are owned by their
respective copyright and intellectual property right holders, DepEd is represented by
the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society ( FILCOLS), Inc. in seeking permission to
use these materials. Publishers and Authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them. This module is intended for educational purposes and will be subjected for
further Learning Resource Copyright evaluation and the inventory of copyrighted third
party content will be prepared.
The Curriculum Learning Material is owned by the Department of Education
Schools Division of Abra Curriculum Implementation Division Learning Resource
Management Section accessed of https://lrmdsabra.blogspot.com .

ii
 PREFACE

This module is a project of the Curriculum Implementation Division particularly

the Learning Resource Management and Development Unit, Department of
Education, Schools Division of Abra which is in response to the implementation of the
K to 12 Curriculum.

This Learning Material is a property of the Department of Education, Schools

Division of Abra, Curriculum Implementation Division, Learning Resource
Management Section. It aims to improve learners’ performance specifically in English.

Date of Development : September 15, 2020

Resource Location : Schools Division of Abra
Learning Area : Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
Grade Level : 11/12
Learning Resource Type : Module
Language : English
Quarter/Week : Q1/W4
Learning Competency/Code : Analyze the significance of cultural, social,
political and economic symbols and practices.
(MELC)

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The developer wishes to express his gratitude to those who

helped in the development of this learning material. The fulfillment of this learning
material would not be possible without these people who gave their support, helping
hand and cooperation:
To all the contributors,evaluators, editors and the Learning Resource
Management and Development Unit for their constructive comments , critisism and
suggestions for the completion of this module.
I would also like to thank Abra High School Family for the trust, support and
ideas.To my school principal, thank you for encouraging me to make this module, and
trusting me all the time
Lastly, to Almighty God for his continous guidance throughout the preperation
of this module.
.

JANSSEN MICHAEL C. VALDEZ

Abra High School/Senior High School

DIVISION LRMDS STAFF:

RIZA E. PERALTA RYNWALTER A. PAA

Librarian II Project Development Officer II

RONALD T. MARQUEZ
Education Program Supervisor for LRMS

CONSULTANTS:

HEDWIG M. BELMES
Chief Education Supervisor, Curriculum Implementation Division

SORAYA T. FACULO, Ph.D.

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

BENILDA M. DAYTACA, CESO VI

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Officer In-Charge Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Copyright Notice …………………………………………………..……...…..…. ii
Preface …………………………………………………………………...…….… iii
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………. …….…... iv
Table of Contents……………………………………………………….……. … v
Title Page…………………………………………………………………………. 1
What I Need to Know……………………………………………………………. 2
What I Know……………………………………………………….….…………. 3
What’s In…………………………………………………………………………. 4
What’s New ………………………………………………….…………………. 5
What’s In It ………….….…….…………………….……………………… 6

What’s More
Assessment 1: …………..……………………………………………………… 10
Activity 2: ……………… …………………….. ……………………..………… 11
Assessment 2: …………………………….…………..…………………..…… 12
What I Have Learned…………………………………………………………… 13
What I Can Do………………………………………………………..…………. 13
Post Assessment………………………………………………………………… 15
Additional Activity

Answer Key……………………………………………………………………….. 16
Reference Sheet…………………………………………………...…….…….… 17

v
 Cultural, Social, Political and
Economic Symbols and Practices

Module in Understanding Culture,

Society and Politics
First Quarter

https://www.google.com/search?q=culture+icon&tbm

JANSSEN MICHAEL C. VALDEZ

Developer

1
 What I Need to Know
Hello learners! This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is
here to help you master the nature of Understanding Culture Society and Politics. 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.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

- Know the important concepts of human cultural evolution
- Determine the different civilizations that affect humanity, economy, politics, and
way of living

This module serves as your guide to better understand humans, human

behavior and societies in the past and present. Sociology is the study of human social
relationships and institutions. Political science, the systematic study of governance by
the application of empirical and generally scientific methods of analysis.

2
 What I Know
Direction: Describe and differentiate the past and present generation of today by
enumerating the different changes you witnessed from characteristics of individuals,
lifestyle, way of communication and education.

PAST GENERATION PRESENT GENERATION

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4 4.

5. 5.

3
 What’s In?
Before we proceed, let us go back with some of the important concepts about
culture, which is the focus of our discussion.
Human cultural traits-behaviors, ideas, and technologies that can be learned
from other individuals can exhibit complex patterns of transmission and evolution of
knowledge and ideas.

Direction: Read and understand the following statements then choose the
correct answer that best describe about it.
1. It is the study of past peoples and cultures, based primarily on their material
remains.
a. archaeology b. astronomy c. anthropology d. civilization

2. It is the study of the nature of languages, examining how they work and retracting
their relationship and evolution.
a. culture b. tradition c. linguistics d. people

3. This is the study of living or recent peoples and culture.

a. cultural anthropology b. civilization c. tradition d. history

4. It is considered as the dynamo of cultural complexity.

a. anthropology b. diversity c. archaeology d. cultural evolution

5. It is an acquired or modified by social learning that affects behavior.

a. tradition b. culture c. society d. politics

4
 What’s New?
Direction: Cultural diversity is the existence of a variety of cultural groups within
a society. Being a leader and living in a diverse community, write 5 traits that you want
to have in leading the people and community you live in.

5
 What’s in It?
HUMAN CULTURAL EVOLUTION
It is a saying that “human has no contentment”. As the environment changes, we
continuously grow and find ways to make maximize our effort as we live. It is very evident in
the different stages of human cultural evolution: Palaeolithic Period, Neolithic Period, and Age
of Metal.
The term “Palaeolithic” was coined by archaeologist John Lubbock in 1865. It is
derived the from Greek word, palaios, which means "old"; and, lithos, "stone", In short, the
Palaeolithic Period, which happened 2.5 million years ago, is also known as "Old Stone Age".
In the Palaeolithic period, the Earth was extremely cold and ocean levels were much
lower than they are now. Due to the cold climate, much of the Stone Age is also called the Ice
Age.

For additional ideas and concept about philosophy you can watch and listen
by clicking this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95HXPh-szrs

During these years, people were nomads and able to use simple tools and weapons
made of unpolished stone. The caves served as their shelter.
Similarly, this was the time when people discovered to use the fire, through the use of
stone, for their protection against cold temperature and to cook their own food.
Human beings in this time were grouped together in small societies such as bands,
and subsisted by gathering plants and fishing, hunting or scavenging wild animals. Also in this
era, according to study of Dr. Jesus T. Peralta of NCCA, respect is given to age, and individual
prowess and ability are recognized. There are no leaders that could be said to be above
everybody else and whose commands are obeyed without question. In some cases, one who
is known for good decisions is consulted when a problem arises; or well-known hunter will be
asked to lead a hunting group.
Likewise, the term “Neolithic” also comes from the same archaeologist and from the
Greek word “neo” which means new and “lithos” meaning stone or in short, the “New Stone
Age” which was happened for about 10,000 B.C. In this period, the Cro Magnon disappeared
and the new people who are considered the modern man appeared.

6
 Stone Age” which was happened for about 10,000 B.C. In this period, the Cro
Magnon disappeared and the new people who are considered the modern man
appeared.
The Neolithic Revolution is also called as the First Agricultural Revolution.
During this period, there was a wide-scale transition of many human cultures from a
lifestyle of hunting and gathering to of agriculture and settlement kind of society which
eventually led to population increase. People depend on domesticated plants and
animals. They learned to create such crafts as pottery and weaving. They likewise
developed boat as means of transportation and for fishing as well.
From being nomads during the early stage, human began to develop a
sedentary type of society of which they built-up villages and towns.
Furthermore, they were never contented of their accomplishments. They kept
on discovering things for their own convenience. So, they discovered metals, and they
gradually abandoned stone as the basic element for their instrument and tools

This period was known as Age of Metals (4000 B.C – 1500 B.C). The used of
metal such as bronze, copper, and iron produced a new historical development from
the cradle civilization of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia including the India, and China
which later spread throughout Asia.

There were three stages distinguished within this Age due to the different types
of metals that were used: The Copper Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age; copper
was the first known metal, it is of a low hardness and it was used to make ornaments;
bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and it is harder and stronger than copper. Several
eastern Mediterranean peoples discovered this metallurgy and progressed rapidly.

During this age, agricultural tools were developed with bronze, such as plows
and sickles, military weapons like swords, spears and shields, as well as household
utensils like jars, bowls and cups. Likewise, a more developed social, cultural, political,
and economic system were improved. Tribes, empires, and state were recognized at
this point.

7
EARLY CIVILIZATION and RISE of the STATE
Ancient State and Civilization
One of the earliest states and civilizations was found in the Fertile Crescent which is
known as the Mesopotamian civilization. The word Mesopotamia is a Greek word for “Land
between two rivers” which is often referred to as the cradle of civilization. It is the region of the
Western Asia located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It is known as the Fertile
Crescent where the first evidence of agriculture was also found. Here the first human
civilizations were taking the earliest steps from hunter-gatherer society into settled community.
Moreover, it is in Mesopotamia that the history writing appeared as early as over 5,000
years ago. This invention was so important that it marks the end of the Prehistory, and the
beginning of history. One of the first writing systems, the Cuneiform, is one of the most
important civilizations in the history of Mesopotamian culture.
Every city in Mesopotamia had its own government, rulers, warriors, patron god, and
functioned like an independent country. Mesopotamian cities were Ur, Uruk, Kish, Lagesh.
There is a temple at the center of each city called a ziggurat (a massive, tiered, pyramid-
shaped structure).
There was also what we called Mesopotamian warrior-gods (2.400-2.500 B.C.) who
govern and protect the people under its government. Military commanders eventually became
monarch creating a new structure of government called a Dynasty. It is a series of rulers
descending from a single-family line. The Akkadian Empire lasted about 200 years. In the year
2350–2150 B.C, Babylonian Empire overtook Sumerians around 2000 B.C., and they built
capital, the Babylon, on Euphrates River.
Another ancient states and civilizations was the Egyptian civilization. It emerged more
than 5,000 years ago along the River Nile in the north-east of Africa. The Ancient Egyptians
lived near the River Nile because of its fertile land suitable for growing crops and domestication
of animals. Each year, water from the Nile rose and flooded the area. When the water went
back, it left mud that made the fields fertile.
Egyptians called their king a pharaoh. The pharaoh was all- powerful: He passed laws,
He ruled the country, He owned most of the land, and He controlled trade and led the armies.
Egyptians believed that the pharaohs were gods.
For additional ideas and concept about philosophy you can watch and listen
by clicking this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX6J0Gd2EC8

8
 Modern State and Civilization
In the European continent, several states and civilization grew tremendously over
centuries. In England, around 1500s, most of the people lived in small villages. They paid
tithes to their feudal landlords. Henry VII won the War of the Roses in England, which led into
what is known as the Tudor dynasty, and begun the development of the English nation-state.
In Spain in the year 1492, Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella took Spain back
from the Muslim. It became the era of Spain as a global power.
In France, Louis XIV of France created an absolute monarchy. France became the
dominant power in Europe. When The French Revolution broke out, it created the modern
French nation-state, which sparked nationalism around Europe.
In 1914, when various nation-states started to claim their power and superiority over
all the nations in the world, the World War I begun until 1918. In 1919, Treaty of Versailles
ended the World War I. It divided several multinational empires that led to the creation of
several new nation-states.
In 1939, the World War II started until 1945. The end of World War II led to the
formation of United Nations in 1945.
For additional ideas and concept about philosophy you can watch and listen
by clicking this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X3e6YJkWcw

The State of the People: Democratic State

In the recent decade after the two World Wars, people are becoming more active in
their government and state affairs, in which people become the source of political power and
government rules. This evolution in the government is known as the process of
democratization, or simply democracy – the rule of the people.
Democratization is the transition to a more democratic political regime, including
substantive political changes moving in a democratic direction. It may be the transition from
an authoritarian regime to a full democracy, a transition from an authoritarian political system
to a semi-democracy or transition from a semi-authoritarian political system to
a democratic political system. What is a democracy?

Moreover, a democracy is a form of government where the citizens of the nation have
the power to vote. There are several different types of democracies; (1) a representative
democracy is a system where citizens choose government representatives among their
citizens, (2) direct democracy is when the citizens form a governing body and vote directly on
issues, (3) constitutional democracy limits the powers of government through the nation’s
constitution.
For additional ideas and concept about philosophy you can watch and listen
by clicking this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR18pfuxg-o

9
 What’s More?
Before we proceed, let us go back with some of the important concepts about culture
that is the main focus of our discussion.

Assessment 1
Activity 1:
Direction: Read the article entitled “A Settled Life”. Analyze how the ancient cultural
and socio-political features developed and impact our present period. Then, be able to answer
the succeeding guide questions.
A Settled Life
(By: Dr. Senta German)
When people think of the Neolithic era, they often think of Stonehenge, the iconic
image of this early era. Dating to approximately 3000 B.C.E. and set on Salisbury Plain in
England, it is a structure larger and more complex than anything built before it in
Europe. Stonehenge is an example of the cultural advances brought about by the
Neolithic revolution—the most important development in human history. The way we live
today, settled in homes, close to other people in towns and cities, protected by laws,
eating food grown on farms, and with leisure time to learn, explore and invent is all a result of
the Neolithic revolution, which occurred approximately 11,500-5,000 years ago. The revolution
which led to our way of life was the development of the technology needed to plant and harvest
crops and to domesticate animals.
Before the Neolithic revolution, it's likely you would have lived with your extended
family as a nomad, never staying anywhere for more than a few months, always living
in temporary shelters, always searching for food and never owning anything you
couldn’t easily pack in a pocket or a sack. The change to the Neolithic way of life was huge
and led to many of the pleasures (lots of food, friends and a comfortable home) that we still
enjoy today.(Stonehenge, c. 3,000 B.C.E., Salisbury Plain, England)
Neolithic Art. The massive changes in the way people lived also changed the types
of art they made. Neolithic sculpture became bigger, in part, because people didn’t have to
carry it around anymore; pottery became more widespread and was used to store food
harvested from farms. This is when alcohol was first produced and when architecture, and its
vivid interior and exterior decoration, first appears. In short, people settle down and begin to
live in one place, year after year.
It seems very unlikely that Stonehenge could have been made by earlier,
Paleolithic, nomads. It would have been a waste to invest so much time and energy building
a monument in a place to which they might never return or might only return infrequently. After
all, the effort to build it was extraordinary. Stonehenge is approximately 320 feet in
circumference and the stones which compose the outer ring weigh as much as 50 tons; the
small stones, weighing as much as 6 tons, were quarried from as far away as 450 miles. The
use or meaning of Stonehenge is not clear, but the design, planning and execution could have
only been carried out by a culture in which authority was unquestioned. Here is a culture that
was able to rally hundreds of people to perform very hard work for extended periods of time.
This is another characteristic of the Neolithic era.
Source: Dr. Senta German, A Settled Life :https://www.khanacademy.org 2020

10
 I have analyzed…
Guide Questions: I think that…
Example: Example
The Stonehenge tries to showcase that even before
What does the Stonehenge is they had already their cultural advancement, which, in this
trying to tell this modern era? modern age can further develop such as the technologies.

a. Vividly envision the

Stonehenge. Imagine how
they built it. Could you say
that early people were
physically fit and prepared
as we are today?
b. How did ancient humans end
their “being nomads”?

c. Looking at the “lens” of

Stonehenge, how will you
describe the kind of
sociopolitical way?
d. Why Neolithic Revolution is
considered as the most
important development in
human history?

Activity 2:
Direction: Through different civilizations our lives become better and easier.
How do you value the teachings and experiences in the past that helped understand
and know things better in the following places?
At home:
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
5. _____________________________
In School:
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
5. _____________________________
In your community:
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
5. _____________________________
11
Assessment 2:
Direction: As a millennial and a Filipino youth, how will you respond and adapt to
this changing world where people and society have indeed developed and became more
advanced than before? However, consider some circumstances that are hooked on it.

Your physical attributes

& capacity in the midst Your manner of living
of health crisis: where some ways are
now unbecoming:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.

Your commitment to
abide as a citizen where
some authorities are not
performing well:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

12
 What I Have Learned
Direction: To sum up what you have learned. Complete the following phrases:

3 Thoughts I have learned…..

 _________________________________________

 _________________________________________

 _________________________________________

2 Things I want to remember…..

 _________________________________________

 _________________________________________

1 Question I have in mind…...

 _________________________________________

What I Can Do
Direction: Fill in the blank to complete your pledge to continue the legacies of our
ancestors.

As a human being, I understand that people need to change to survive. Hence, I will

try to ___________, ___________, and ____________ to continuously grow as a student. I

will do my best to ______________ and ________________ all cultural properties which I

believe are part of my country’s legacy. I will also render all possible help to __________ and

____________ our society and history as well.

13
 Post Assessment
Direction: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.
1. During the earliest stage of human cultural evolution, people were nomadic, so they
hunt and gather foods. As they learn to make a sedentary lifestyle in the Neolithic
period. Which statement tells the accomplishment of human in the Neolithic period?
A. Live in a cave
B. Used unpolished stone tools
C. Used metals to upgrade tools
D. Domesticate plants and animals
2. The Age of Metal produced a new historical development from the cradle civilization of
Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia including the India, and China which later on spread
throughout Asia. Which type of metal were the earliest known by human?
A. Aluminum C. Copper
B. Bronze D. Iron
3. There are three notable stages in the human cultural evolution. Which statement tells
the correct timeline of these evolutions?
A. Age of Metal, Neolithic Period, Paleolithic Period
B. Neolithic Period, Paleolithic Period, Age of Metal
C. Paleolithic Period, Age of Metal, Neolithic Period
D. Paleolithic Period, Neolithic Period, Age of Metal
4. From being nomads during the early stage, human began to developed a sedentary
type of society of which they built-up villages and towns. In which era has these
evolutions happens?
A. Age of Bronze C. Neolithic Period
B. Age of Copper D. Paleolithic Period
5. The most significant evolution in Paleolithic period is when people discovered the use
of fire. In the Neolithic period is when human learned to domesticate plants and
animals, which is known to be the First Agricultural Revolution. In the Age of Metal is
the discovery of people in using metal as their tools, thus, the Age of Metal is identified
as:
A. Agricultural Revolution C. Stone Revolution
B. Metal Civilization D. Rise of Civilization
6. How were the first modern humans (Homo sapiens) different from any other hominid
species?
A. They lived outside of Africa C. They used and controlled fire
B. They had large brains D. They used symbolic thought
7. In the history of human social evolution, what group of people was skillful at hunting
and butchering animals?
A. Australopithecus C. Homo habilis
B. Home erectus D. Homo sapien

14
8. In the history of human civilization in which people started to develop their society, where
did the world’s first Civilization develop?
A. Mesopotamia C. Egypt
B. Crete D. Eastern China
9. From the different kind of government in various societies, what is a form of
government where the citizens of the nation have the power to vote?
A. Aristocracy C. Democracy
B. Bureaucracy D. Capitalism
10. In the context of European historical society, which of the following DOES NOT
happened during pre -1500’s?
A. Henry VII wins the War of the Roses in England, begins the Tudor dynasty, and
starts the development of the English nation-state.
B. The era of Spain as a global power begins.
C. The hundred year’s war started.
D. The French Revolution
11. In the history of war, the nations started to claim their power and supremacy over the
nations. Which treaty ends the World War I and breaks several multi-rational
empires?
A. Treaty of Saint-Germain en Laye
B. Treaty of Versailles
C. Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine
D. Faisal-Weizmann agreement
12. Democracy is a type of government in which the people elect their leader in the
government position. Direct democracy is the system in which...
A. Citizens choose their representatives in free and fair elections.
B. Citizens are allowed to debate with their representatives in open public
meetings.
C. Citizens represent themselves in the decision-making process.
D. Senior political leaders are known as 'Directors'.

13. Which statement most accurately describes how geography affected the growth of
the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia?
A. River valleys provided rich soil to grow plentiful crops.
B. Large deserts provided many mineral deposits.
C. Access to the Atlantic Ocean provided trade routes.
D. Lage Savannah areas provided protection from invaders.
14. Which geographic feature was common to the development of civilizations in ancient
Egypt, China, India, and Mesopotamia?
A. river valleys
B. rain forests
C. deserts
D. mountains
15. In the context of ancient civilization, which factor led to the development of
civilizations in ancient Mesopotamia?
A. political harmony
B. favorable geography
C. religious differences
D. universal education

15
Key to Correction

16
 REFERENCES

Paolo Nino M. Valdez, Phoenix English for the Globalized Classroom Series: English
for Academic and Professional Purposes (PhoenixPublishing House Inc. 2016), 6-16

Grace M. Saqueton, and Marikit Tara A. Uychoco, Applied Track: English for
Academic and Professional Purposes(Rex Printing Company,Inc.2016),3-11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95HXPh-szrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX6J0Gd2EC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X3e6YJkWcw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR18pfuxg-o

17