Ucsp Lesson 3 Cultural Understanding PDF

MODULE 3 Attaining Cultural Understanding  BENCH MARK At the end of this module, I can Explain the importance of cultural relativism in attaining cultural understanding Raise relevant questions toward a holistic appreciation of cultures and societies Become aware of why and how cultural rela...

MODULE 3 Attaining Cultural Understanding  BENCH MARK At the end of this module, I can Explain the importance of cultural relativism in attaining cultural understanding Raise relevant questions toward a holistic appreciation of cultures and societies Become aware of why and how cultural relativism mitigates ethnocentrism Identify forms of tangible and intangible heritage and the threats to both.  Making Connections The world is multicultural. Culture, as discussed in the previous module, is constantly changing and is adaptive to the social needs of the present time. These needs include the impact of globalization and localization, as well as new technologies and innovation. In this constantly changing world, there is a need to understand various cultures to be aware of cultural differences.  Importance of Cultural Understanding Understanding various cultures such as their differences and similarities is important. Understanding in this context necessitates a nonjudgmental attitude toward a culture different from your own. Developing one’s cultural awareness or sensitivity may lead him or her to experience more meaningful interactions with those with different cultures. This sensitivity, in turn, would be helpful in ensuring openness, respect, and deference to other. It can also ensure a more peaceful and respectful society.  Think About It! 1. Why is it important to develop cultural awareness? 2. Are there instances when you have shown tolerance or intolerance toward other people? Share these instances in class. What would you have done differently?  If you are confused about or feel uncertain of a culture, you might be experiencing culture shock. Culture shock refers to unfamiliarity with a culture or a certain aspect of culture, and it is actually normal. Use Your Imagination! Traveling around the world is one way of promoting cultural awareness. Imagine yourself as a foreigner in the Philippines. What aspects of Filipino culture do you think would shock or surprise you?  Understanding culture comes in four stages. 1. Cultural knowledge means having the knowledge of history and cultural characteristics of a certain society and culture. 2. Cultural awareness means having an understanding of and openness toward a different culture.  Understanding culture comes in four stages. 3. Cultural sensitivity means knowing the differences and similarities between cultures without assigning a certain value or amount to the difference. 4. Cultural competence is the acceptance and promotion of cultural diversity in a society or organization.  However, in reality, there are people who are not culturally tolerant, and this intolerance manifests in their actions, words, and thinking. Culturally intolerant people think of their culture as more superior than other cultures, because they are ignorant of the greater possibilities of cultural diversity in a society.  Culturally intolerant people think of their culture as more superior than other cultures, because they are ignorant of the greater possibilities of cultural diversity in a society. This intolerance, in turn, leads to discrimination, racism, and bigotry. It is also the root cause of xenophobia, or the dislike and prejudice of other people based on culture, which can lead to tensions and conflict.  Cultural relativism, which refers to the idea that other cultures must be understood based on their people’s own experiences and standards. Cultural relativism places an importance to the culture itself, rather than it being excused as “strange” or “exotic.”  Cultural relativism – Context matters! Ex: Polygamy in Africa is a signal of wealth; Eating crickets in Thailand because it is rich in protein  It promotes cooperation. Respect and Equality is encouraged. It preserves human cultures Cultural relativism creates a society without judgement. Strange Weird Disgusting Exotic Why are you like that? There are two categories of cultural relativism: Absolute cultural relativism refers to the nonquestioning of cultural aspects by outsiders. Critical cultural relativism may examine certain aspects of culture, especially if it violates certain human rights.  Take, for example, female genital mutilation (FGM), which involves cutting a part of a female’s genitalia as a rite of passage to adulthood (similar to circumcision in boys). This practice is banned in the Philippines, but majority of countries in Africa are still practicing it. WATCH VIDEO  We can’t say “every child matters,” and then pick and choose the ones that matter.  This practice is described by the UN as a serious violation of human rights and a threat to public health, and this determination is an example of critical cultural relativism. Ethnocentrism Comes from the word ethnos, meaning “nation” and kentron, meaning “center,” is the understanding of other cultures based on the viewer’s standards or cultural references  In ethnocentrism, the notion of what is right or wrong, good or bad, and acceptable or unacceptable is seen through one’s social context.  The American political scientist, William Graham Sumner, introduced the term ethnocentrism in his book Folkways (1906). In it, Sumner defined ethnocentrism as an attachment toward one’s ingroup (own culture), which leads to the hatred of the outgroup (other culture).  In various studies, there is always a positive connotation toward the ingroup because its perspective always has an observable ethnic marker that is accepted and recognized by the viewer. Meanwhile, a negative connotation toward outgroup is common because the viewer does not recognize the culture. This is why Sumner described ethnocentrism as a natural tendency  Ethnocentrism can lead to discrimination.  In contrast with ethnocentrism, Xenocentrism is the notion that another culture is superior to one’s own. It involves one’s preference to others’ way of living and rejecting his or her own culture, believing that the others’ way is better than his or her own.  The term was coined by American sociologists Donald P. Kent and Robert G. Burnight in their paper “Group Centrism in Complex Societies” (1952). One example is consumer xenocentrism, which is a consumer’s preference for products made in countries other than his or her own. In the Philippines, for instance, many people prefer imported clothing and footwear to locally produced clothes and shoes. Changing Culture Recent trends in a globalized society have deeply impacted culture. They result in an exchange of cultural values and cultural change.  They may also lead to cultural imperialism, cultural hegemony, or worst, loss of culture of minority groups. Cultural imperialism is the imposition of a dominant culture onto another due to political, economic, and social factors, while cultural hegemony refers to the domination of one cultural group over a diverse cultural society.  One example of cultural imperialism is the use the English as the global language. The concept of cultural imperialism was introduced in 1970s by Edward Said, a sociologist, in his book Culture and Imperialism.  Globalization is a far-reaching concept defined as the growing interdependence of the world’s culture, ideologies, economies, and politics. Globalization such as the use of technology has greatly influenced life today.  They can buy popular products and have these delivered to their doorsteps. Their principles and values can be shaped by memes and popular social media personalities. All these affect people’s culture, and in one way or another, eventually form what is called digital culture.  The rise of popular brands is an example of commodities being spread out globally because of globalization and, in turn, influencing cultures. The process by which some cultural items spread from one culture to another is called cultural diffusion.  However, cultural diffusion does not only spread thru tangible or material examples of culture. It may also bring about changes in the intangible or nonmaterial examples.  Ritzer conceptualized McDonaldization as a business model in common social institutions. For example, the value of “fast-food” is more consumed nowadays than a home cooked traditional meal because of the fast-paced world people at present.  Think About It! Have you eaten in a fast-food restaurant? How would you compare the meals served there to your home cooked meals?  Culture is dynamic and adaptive. It constantly changes and is shaped and reshaped by interactions with other cultures.  Tangible Heritage refers to artifacts left by previous generations that reflect the continued culture of a society. These artifacts are imbued with cultural significance today, as they are a representation and expression of a culture.  Intangible Heritage It also includes another aspect of cultural heritage. These are forms of literature, oral traditions, performing arts, traditional craftsmanship, and folklore that are considered the wealth of a culture. The UNESCO classifies intangible cultural heritage into five broad categories, known as domains. These are the following: 1. Oral traditions and expressions, which include proverbs, tales, legends, oral history, songs, poems, and literatures (Domain 1) 2. Performing arts, which include music, dance, and other forms of artistic expression (Domain 2) 3. Social practices, rituals, and festive events, which include structures for daily living such as burial, wedding, and harvest rituals; carnivals; games; and religious rituals (Domain 3) 4. Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, which include traditions for rain making, traditional medicines, cultural spaces, agriculture, and food and cuisines (Domain 4)  5. Traditional craftsmanship, which includes knowledge and skills on how to make pottery, jars, boats, jewelries, embroidery, and weaving and fabric production (Domain 5)  THANK YOU!