UCSP Lesson 1: Essentials in Culture, Society, and Politics PDF

L E S S O N 1 : ESSENTIALS IN STUDYING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS  SOCIAL SCIENCE Social science is a branch of science primarily focuses in human society and social relationships. Consequently, the main difference between natural scien...

L E S S O N 1 : ESSENTIALS IN STUDYING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS  SOCIAL SCIENCE Social science is a branch of science primarily focuses in human society and social relationships. Consequently, the main difference between natural science and social science is that natural science studies natural events whereas social science studies the human society.  Social science is a field of study that deals with the scientific investigation of human society, including its origin, organization, and institutions. There are many different social sciences which include anthropology, economics, history, political science, sociology, etc. ANTHROPOLOGY Anthropology came from a Latin word anthropos- means man and Greek word logos- means to study. Anthropology is a branch of Social Science that deals with all aspects of human beings including their biological evolution and social and cultural features that definitively distinguish humans from other animal species.  PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION A qualitative research method in which the researcher both observes members of the group or community being researched and participates with them in their activities. As the researcher observes, they typically take detailed notes about their observations and interactions with the group. Example: Research that goes on for a long period – like an anthropologist living in an indigenous community to study a set of their customs and culture. Anthropology has four main branches. Cultural anthropology is the study of how people live — in the present and the recent past. Linguistic anthropology is the study of language within the context of anthropology. Archaeology is the study of past people through the things they left behind. Biological anthropology is the study of how humans have evolved and differences within the species. SOCIOLOGY is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. AUGUSTE COMTE He was a French philosopher known as the founder of sociology and of positivism. Positivism in the field of sociology is defined as a study of an approach to the study of society that specifically relies on a piece of evidence-based science to reveal the true nature of the functions of a society. KARL MARX He is famous for his theories about capitalism, socialism, and communism. Conflict theory looks at society as a competition for limited resources among groups and individuals who have unequal amounts of power. Economically, he saw conflict existing between the owners of the means of production—the bourgeoisie —and the laborers, called the proletariat. MAX WEBER is widely considered to be one of the founders of sociology, Max Weber created his own theory of social stratification defining social differences through three components: class, status, and power. Class is person's economic position in a society Status is one’s social prestige or honor; and, lastly, power is the ability for someone to achieve their goals despite the resistance of others.  AREAS OF SOCIOLOGY 1. Social Organization- refers to a pattern of relationships between different groups; (church, political affiliation, family, identity, and labor) 2. Social Psychology- looks at your personality, interpersonal relationships, and group behavior. (Social norms, identity, sociocultural change, gender, and inequality) 3. Human Ecology- studies a given population's behavior and its interaction with the surrounding environment (Environmental studies, nature, health, and the impact of human activities) 4. Applied Sociology- is concerned with using current sociological problems to solve social issues (Urbanization, homelessness, , poor nutrition, and investigation of social norms)  AREAS OF SOCIOLOGY 5. Population Studies- concerns population figures, the demographics of specific regions, and social change (Immigration, migration, political affiliation (over time), economic growth, marriage/divorce, fertility, and mortality rates) 6. Social Change- social change refers to any alteration in how a society is organized (Migration, cultural change, inequality, technology, and religion) 7. Sociological method and research- This area of sociology attempts to provide objective insight into the principles that help guide or regulate the social environment (All fields of sociology) POLITICAL SCIENCE The etymology of political science came from two ancient words. The word political came from Greek word polis-means city-state and science comes from Latin word scire- which means to know. Political Science is a discipline in social science concerned primarily in the state, government, and politics. AREAS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE 1. Political theory- also called as political philosophy, studies the normative principles that define, inform, guide, and establish the relationships between persons and society, and the government. 2. Public law- It covers how people interact with various organizations, working to ensure people are treated fairly and prevent any abuse of power by a public body. AREAS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE 3. Public administration- is the art and science of managing public programs and policies, ensuring their effective execution for the benefit of society. 4. Political Dynamics- refers to the complex interactions and changes within political systems, including the relationships between different actors, institutions, and ideologies. AREAS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE 5. Legislation- responsible for making laws within a country. 6. International Relation- is the study of the relations between political entities and the connections between economics, law, and politics in the global environment. IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS CULTURE- allows us to have knowledge of our own lifeblood tradition, the things that made us who we are today. SOCIETY- It helps us connect the pieces of society, make informed choices, tackle social problems, build better relationships, promote equality, understand change, shape public policies, work toward a better world, experience personal growth, and find our own path in life. POLITICS- the aim of political science is citizenship education. It mandates its students to participate, appreciate, and understand the duties and responsibilities