Lesson-1-UCSPrevised.pptx

IDENTITY  IDENTITY It is the distinctive characteristics that defines an individual and is shaped by one’s membership to a particular group.  ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND POLITICAL SCIENCE The disciplines under which CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS are studied are collec...

IDENTITY  IDENTITY It is the distinctive characteristics that defines an individual and is shaped by one’s membership to a particular group.  ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND POLITICAL SCIENCE The disciplines under which CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS are studied are collectively called the SOCIAL SCIENCES/ THREE FACES OF THE SOCIAL.  ANTHROPOLOGY the systematic study of the biological, cultural, and social aspects of man. It is derived from two Greek words, Anthropos, which means “man”, and logos, which means “study” or “inquiry”. It is a significant branch of knowledge because it integrates elements from the biological sciences and humanities to fully comprehend the complex human species, including their past practices and social patterns, across diverse cultures.  SOCIOLOGY is defined by Anthony Giddens as “the study of human social life, groups, and society” It is an academic discipline that attempts to provide a deeper assessment of individual and group behaviour, as well as social phenomena, by examining the interplay between economic, political, and social factors.  POLITICAL SCIENCE is the systematic study of politics, which Andrew Heywood describes as “the activity through which people make, preserve, and amend the general rules under which they live.” Focuses on the fundamental values of equality, freedom, and justice and its processes are linked to the dynamics of conflicts, resolution, and cooperation.  Culture  "Culture refers to the shared and learned knowledge that people use to generate behavior and interpret experiences. It includes not only explicit values and beliefs but also implicit assumptions about how the world works.” Spradley, J. P., & McCurdy, D. W. (2017).  "Culture encompasses the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society. It includes language, beliefs, customs, practices, and material artifacts passed down through generations.” Kottak, C. P. (2019)  Society in its broader sense involves social (ie, actions and interactions)  Cultural (ei, practices and traditions)  Political (ei, power relations) realities.  Social Science also known as “disciplines” - may likened to a lens, which changes the way the wearer sees things in terms of color, focus, and details. In other words, change a person’s perspective. - In a way, each discipline provides unique ways of seeing and an equally unique way of zooming in on social details. Regardless of their distinctive angels of looking, they share on a common goal: to understand the “social: and to explore how it drives the unfolding of society as we know it.  Cultural Variations in Mode of Dress Tang Dynasty (Hanfu) Sari Filipiniana dress Cultural Variations in Body Language  Aspects of Culture E.B Tylor, an English anthropologist - The study of society is incomplete without proper understanding of the culture of that society because culture and society go together. Culture - is a unique possession of man. - the unique quality of man which separates him from the lower animals. - includes all that man acquires in his social life.  Aspects of Culture Culture 1. Culture is social because it is the product of behavior. 2. Culture varies from society to society. 3. Culture is shared. 4. Culture is learned. 5. Culture is transmitted among members of society. 6. Culture is continuous and cumulative. 7. Culture is gratifying and idealistic.  Aspects of Culture 1. Values and Beliefs: Values - person’s or a collectivity’s principles or standards of behavior. - Considered as judgment of what is important in life. - Shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad - Broad guidelines in behavior in all situations - are the criteria people use in assessing their lives, arranging their priorities, and choosing between alternative courses of action.  Aspects of Culture 1. Values and Beliefs: Beliefs - Is something one accepts as true or real. - Takes the form of firmly held opinion or conviction, regardless of the lack of verifiable evidence. - Based on tradition, faith, experience, scientific research  Aspects of Culture 2. Norms and Customs: Accepted behaviors in a society. Handshakes as greetings in many Western cultures.  Aspects of Culture 3. Language and Communication: The way people convey ideas. Bowing in Japanese culture signifies respect.  Aspects of Culture 4. Art and Aesthetics: Expressions of creativity. Classical music in Western culture or calligraphy in Chinese culture. 5. Social Institutions: Structures that organize society. Family as a fundamental institution. (fam, educ, religion, gov) 6. Technology and Material Culture: Tools and artifacts. The use of smartphones in modern culture. 7. Cultural Symbols: Objects or signs with cultural meaning. The American flag symbolizes patriotism. 8. Cultural Identity: How individuals associate themselves. National identity or religious affiliation. Types of Culture Types of Culture Types of Culture  The hippie movement of the 1960s is a famous counterculture. Hippies rejected mainstream ideas about materialism, war, and authority. They promoted peace, love, and living in harmony with nature, standing against the norms of their time. Types of Culture ETHNOCENTRISM vs. XENOCENTRISM  Ethnocentrism  Ethno (Greek) – refers to a people, nation, or cultural grouping.  Centric (Latin) – refers to center.  ETHNOCENTRISM – is the practice of comparing other cultural practices with those of one’s own and automatically finding those other cultural practices to be inferior.  Examples: a. Any time you think of another culture’s traditional food as weird or gross. b. A tourist from a Western country visits an indigenous village and criticizes the locals for not using modern technology, believing that their own technologically advanced lifestyle is better. The tourist views their culture as superior, not considering the indigenous people’s lifestyle on its own terms.  Function of Ethnocentrism a.) Encourages the solidarity of a group. - strengthens the idea that loyalty to comrades and the preservation of the basis for superiority are important values. b.) Hinders the understanding or the cooperation between groups. c.) Conflict of course often leads to social change.  Function of When do weEthnocentrism become ethnocentric? 1. When you judge the behavior, you must stop judging others who are different from you. Way out: To stop ethnocentric behavior, you must stop judging others who are different from you.  Xenocentrism  It refers to a preference for the foreign.  Strong belief that one’s own products, styles, or ideas are inferior to those which originate elsewhere.  Xenophobia is the fear, dislike, or prejudice against people from other countries or cultures.  Examples: Filipinos seem happy to pay more for imported goods on the assumption that anything from abroad is better.  Society  It refers to a group of individuals who share common interactions, relationships, and a sense of belonging within a defined geographical or social space. It involves the complex web of social interactions, institutions, and structures that shape the way people live together. Society provides the context within which culture develops and individuals interact. Aspects of Society 1.Social Structure: The organized patterns of relationships and roles that determine how individuals fit into society. 2.Social Institutions: Established systems (like family, education, religion, economy, and government) that structure various aspects of life. 3.Social Hierarchies: The ranking of individuals or groups based on factors like wealth, power, or social status. 4.Social Norms: Accepted patterns of behavior that guide how people should act in different situations.  Types of Society Hunting and Gathering Agrarian Society Society  Agricultural-based  Small, nomadic groups societies with settled relying on hunting, fishing, communities and more and foraging for survival. complex social structures.  Characterized by urbanization, industrialization, and a shift Industrial Society from agrarian economies.  Types of Society Postindustrial Society Traditional Society  Societies with  Emphasizes longstanding customs information, services, and practices, often with and technology rather limited technological than manufacturing. advancements.  Characterized by urbanization, technological innovation, Modern Society and a focus on  Politics  It refers to the activities, actions, and processes associated with governance, power, and decision- making within a society.  It involves how individuals and groups compete, negotiate, and cooperate to influence the allocation of resources, formulate policies, and manage conflicts.  Aspects of Politics 1. Government: The formal institutions and structures responsible for making and enforcing laws and policies. 2. Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of others, often exercised through political means. 3. Political Ideologies: Belief systems that shape individuals' views on how society should be organized and governed. 4. Public Policy: Decisions and actions taken by governments to address societal issues and meet public needs. 5. Political Participation: Involvement of citizens in the political process, including voting, activism, and advocacy. 6. Political Culture: Shared beliefs and attitudes about the political system and government's role in society.  Aspects of Politics Political Culture: Shared beliefs and attitudes about the political system and government's role in society. Nordic Political Culture (e.g., Sweden, Norway): Beliefs: Emphasizes equality, social welfare, and strong government intervention to promote well-being. High levels of trust in government and social cooperation. Example: Citizens in Nordic countries generally support high taxes in exchange for extensive public services like healthcare and education, reflecting a belief in social equality and collective well-being.  Aspects of Politics Political Culture: Shared beliefs and attitudes about the political system and government's role in society. Authoritarian Political Culture (e.g., North Korea): Beliefs: Focuses on strong centralized control, with limited political freedoms. Obedience to authority is a key value, and dissent is not tolerated. Example: Citizens in authoritarian regimes may be expected to show loyalty to the government or leader, often through controlled elections or limited political participation.  Types of Politics Democracy: A system in which power is vested in the hands of the people, usually through elected representatives. Monarchy: A system where a single individual, often a king or queen, holds hereditary power. Authoritarianism: A political system with centralized control and limited individual freedoms.  Totalitarianism: An extreme form of authoritarianism where the government exercises absolute control over all aspects of public and private life. Oligarchy: Rule by a small, privileged group, often based on wealth or social status. Anarchy: The absence of a formal government and central authority, often  “If you change the society and a culture, the politics will follow.” —Andrew Sullivan