Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics PDF

Understanding Culture, Society, and the Politics Chapter 1 Understanding Culture, Society, and the Politics Lesson 1 Defining Culture, Society, and Politics Lesson 2 Social, Political, and Cultural Behavior and Phenomena Lesson 3 Social, Political, and Cultural Change Lesson 4 The Essence of Anth...

Understanding Culture, Society, and the Politics Chapter 1 Understanding Culture, Society, and the Politics Lesson 1 Defining Culture, Society, and Politics Lesson 2 Social, Political, and Cultural Behavior and Phenomena Lesson 3 Social, Political, and Cultural Change Lesson 4 The Essence of Anthropology, Political Science, and Sociology CHAPTER 1  Defining Culture , Society , and Politics  Social, Political , and Cultural Behavior and Phenomena  Social, Political , and Cultural Change  The essence of Anthropology , Political Science , and Sociology Lesson 1. Defining Culture, Society , and Politics Culture is generally defined as the sum of an individual’s way of life, ranging from the food we eat , the clothes we wear and the house where we live. It is also includes both the material and non-material things. The Non- material things are the norms and values as well as the intangible aspects of our existence: music , dance , poetry , and other forms of expressions that showcase our creativity and artistry. Culture includes fashion trends , manners and taboos. Culture is a collection of learned behaviors , attitudes, and beliefs that encompass both the material and non material things which are shared by all the members of a society. Culture is an important element of a society as it provides a design or pattern of living for every member of a society to be able to communicate and cooperate effectively from one another. CULTURAL VARIATION Geographical Barriers Different cultures and traditions Elements of Culture 1. Symbols and languages 2. Values and beliefs 3. Norms 4. Religions 5. Custom 6. Laws and politics Society and Politics Society is generally defined as an organized group or groups of interdependent people who share a common territory , language , and culture , and who act together for collective survival and well-being. Politics refers to the “ theory , art ,and practice of government.” The political institution is relatively stable cluster of statuses , general norms , and role behavior , which are involved in the acquisition and exercise of power and decision-making in society ( Turner:215). Social Differences Social Differences can be explained as the differences among individuals on the basis of social characteristics and qualities. What are the causes of Social Differences? Class Gender Education Race Age LESSON 2. Social , Political , and Cultural Behavior and Phenomena  Norms  Social Control  Deviancy  Taboos Norms indicate a society’s standards of propriety, morality , ethics , and legality. NORMS OF DECENCY AND CONVENTIONALITY Norms of decency is commonly exhibited on the type of clothing a person wears in a specific occasion. It includes the manners and behaviors that show a person’s refinement and civility.In some society , norm of decency also includes the use of appropriate words and gestures that convey politeness and courtesy. Norms of conventionality are beliefs and practices that are acceptable to certain cultures but can be inimical to other cultures. Respect for one’s religious belief are given paramount considerations , especially those beliefs that deal with dietary restrictions. Conformity and Deviance Conformity is defined as the state of having internalized norms as part of the social expectation.   Behaviors and appearances that follow and maintain the standards of the group.  Behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards  Is good when norms help a group control and influence its members’behavior so that the group can accomplish its goals. Deviance occurs when a member of a group violates a group norm.  Formal deviance- includes actions that violate enacted laws , such as robbery , theft , graft , rape and other forms of criminality.  Informal deviance - refers to violations to social norms that are not codified into law , such (as pricking one’s nose , spitting on the street , among others). Taboo is a social group's ban, prohibition, or avoidance of something (usually an utterance or behavior) based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, offensive, sacred, or allowed only for certain people. Taboo related to food are also manifestation of deviancy ( other food taboos are more cultural than religious) Lesson 3. Social, Political, and Cultural Change Social change refers to variations or modifications in the pattern of social organization , of sub-groups within a society , or of the entire society itself. Social change is any observed differences in relationships or social groups. Also involving their patterns, structures, and systems in society over a period of time. Political change is the disruption in government leading to drastic changes in leadership and policies. Political Change The Government is an institution implementing rules and making policies for the governed in society. One of the major causes of political change is the mismatch between the expectations of the governed people and the performance of the acting government. Political Change: Purpose To restore balance from mismatches ideas and values between the two parties ( Nowaczyk, 2015). Political Change: Types Internal Political Change is from the people’s initiative on either regular or irregular events. External Political Change is from the initiative of other countries. Cultural Change Cultural change is a natural phenomena in society that causes the change in norms, attitudes , values, traditions, and way of life of a group of people. all cultures change; some relatively quickly , other gradually , and often times with resistance. Cultural changes happen over time under certain dynamic processes. Without these processes, cultural change will bring chaos to the present order. Cultural Change : Cultural Processes Diffusion- is the transfer of cultural traits from one culture to another Acculturation- is the diffusion of another group’s cultural traits on a large scale , suddenly overwhelming or totally replacing the existing and traditional culture Transculturation-is the individual experience of adapting to a certain type of culture. Three causes of social change: 1. Invention- a new combination or a new use of existing knowledge. It produces mechanical objects , ideas , and social patterns that reshape society to varying degrees.  it can be classified into material inventions ( e.g. as mobile phone , airplane) Social inventions (e.g. alphabet , texting , jejemon) Urbanization is part of social change. For instance , a rural and impoverished are can also experience development because of positive changes in the political landscape , innovation , and technology. Technological Innovation -involves significant changes in new technological changes in new technological products and processes which affects social changes through breaking geographical barriers and introducing new expression. 2. Discovery - takes place when people reorganized existing elements of the world they had not noticed before or learned to see in a new way. -Contributes to the emergence of a new paradigm or perspective, and even reshapes and reinvent worldviews -Discoveries in science can lead to the creation of new types of medicine that can cure diseases that are incurable before. 3. Diffusion- refers to the spread of culture traits from one group to another. It creates changes as a cultural elements spread from one society to another through trade, migration , and mass communication. Culture spreads through the processes of  Enculturation  Socialization  Association  Integration Enculturation - takes place when one culture spreads to another through learning. Socialization -refers to learning through constant exposure and experience to culture , which ultimately imbibes the latter to system of values, beliefs , and practices of individual or groups. Association -establishing connection with the culture thereby bridging areas of convergence and cultural symbiosis. Integration -is the total assimilation of culture as manifested by change of worldviews , attitudes , behavior, and perspectives of looking things. Effect - Culture Loss The replacement of old culture ( patterns , norms , beliefs ,etc.) resulting to a loss of that replaced culture over a period of time. Preservation and Protection of Culture The United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is one with aim to protect all cultures, in dominant and minority populations, in both developed and developed countries ( Thomas0Hoffman, n.d). Article 3 of the International Covenant on Economic , Social and Cultural Rights ( 1976) International Year for Tolerance ( 1995) Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage ( 1972) Republic Act No. 8371 or The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 Republic Act No. 10066 the National Philippine Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 Lesson 4. The Essence of Anthropology , Political Science , and Sociology Anthropology is the study of human beings and their ancestors. Anthropology is the study of humans by considering the past and present. Subfields of Anthropology 1. Archeology - Past civilization and past human groups  2. Biological Anthropology -Diseases and death Human adaptation to environment Biology and culture 3. Sociocultural Anthropology- Cultural practices and beliefs ,Social organization 4. Linguistic Anthropology- Language and Communication Historically, the discipline traces its roots to philosophy , and evolutionary thoughts. Also, it produces knowledge about what makes people different from one another what they all share in common The fields of Anthropology and Sociology are used to understand the cultural and behavioral differences and similarities of various ethnic groups ethnic groups. Anthropology and sociology also help explain the tradition , customs ,and beliefs of people. Political Science Is the political of knowledge relating to the study of the state and government. Political Science Focuses on the “ power “ that plays a crucial part in the struggle in which the individuals and their groups may be found involved according to their capability and degree of interest. Political power is divided into two: Central power Local power Central power – national government based in Manila Local power- centered on local governments in the provinces, cities, and localities outside of the capital. Central power is divided into three branches of government 1. Executive  2. Legislative 3. Judiciary Executive Branch – That branch of the government that is vested with executive power. Executive Power – The authority to administer the laws, which means carrying them into practical operation and enforcing their observance. Legislative Branch – That branch of the government that is vested with legislative power. Legislative Power – The authority to make laws and to alter and repeal them. Judicial Branch – That branch of the government that is vested with judicial power. Judicial Power – The authority to interpret the law and to decide upon the constitutionality or validity of laws and acts. Doctrine of Separation of Powers It means that the three branches of the government are separate, co-equal, distinct, and coordinate and should not interfere with the affairs of the other branch. Local Power covers the governors of the provinces , mayors of cities and municipalities , and barangay captains of villages , serve as implementers of the programs of the government to their respective constituents. SOCIOLOGY Sociology is the systematic study of society. Because social life is made up of different aspects. It is concerned with social life as a whole. Sociology and Other Social Sciences  Economics  History   Social Psychology Sociology covers all aspects of social life such as  Human behavior  Cultures  Morals  Laws  Economic  Political  Geographic environment  Language  religion Sociology is considered the science of society and social behavior , which is viewed as an aggregate of individuals ( Robertson:5). It deals with social development in general and describes and analyzes social life in all its phases and complexities. Sociology and Anthropology: Common Concerns  Human society  Social groups and social institutions ( organization of families, tribes, politics , economic, etc.)  Culture (religion , language, art knowledge, beliefs , values )  Human behavior  Holistic understanding of society’s influence on people