UCSP G12 Week 1 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics PDF

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS WEEK-1 Let’s Process this! What is Culture? What is Society? How our little ways can be categorized as culture? Why it is important to have culture and society? Significance of studying Culture, Society and Politics...

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS WEEK-1 Let’s Process this! What is Culture? What is Society? How our little ways can be categorized as culture? Why it is important to have culture and society? Significance of studying Culture, Society and Politics Culture refers to that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. Culture serves as a foundation of man’s continuing interaction with his surroundings. People develop a culture of their own out of their learning and experiences from their environmental exposure.  CULTURE According to Mark Banaag, culture functions in the following ways and from which we can realize the significance of culture as well: 1. Culture makes it possible for man to adapt and integrate himself to his environment by being creative and resourceful in coming up with ways and means of survival. 2. Culture establishes patterns of acceptable social behavior such as etiquette, protocols, good manners and right conduct, roles and duties, etc. established by folkways, mores, and laws. 3. Culture conveys and facilitates meanings through verbal and non-verbal communication, written and non-written language, forms of expression, and symbolisms. 4. Culture produces man- made things such as clothing, tools, instruments, machines, equipment, structures, etc. made possible by technological know-how. 5. Culture contributes to overall human satisfaction as we develop ways to make life more enjoyable, more comfortable, easier, and more rewarding such as recreational activities, leisure, entertainment and arts, etc.  Types of Culture 1.Material Culture 2. Non-material culture From material culture we In non-material culture we include understand material and physical objects. non material objects. Examples: Examples: 1. House 1. Religion 2. Road 2. Art 3. Vehicles 3. Ideas 4. pen 4. Customs 5. Table 5. Values system 6. Radio 7. book 6. Attitudes 7. Knowledge Elements of Culture KNOWLEDGE - It refers to any information received and perceived to be true. BELIEFS - The perception of accepted reality. Reality refers to the existence of things whether material or nonmaterial. SOCIAL NORMS - These are established expectations of society as to how a person is supposed to act depending on the requirements of the time, place or situation.  Different forms of social norms: The patterns of repetitive behavior which becomes FOLKWAYS habitual and conventional part of living. The set of ethical standards and moral obligations as dictates of MORES reason that distinguishes human acts as right or wrong or good from bad. Anything held to be relatively worthy, important, desirable or VALUES valuable. TECHNOLOGY The practical application of knowledge in converting raw materials into finished products.  Aspects of Culture Dynamic, flexible, and adaptive Shared and contested Learned through socialization or enculturation Patterned social interactions Integrated and at time unstable Transmitted through socialization Requires language and other forms of communication DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS/PERSPECTIVE ON CULTURE 1. Cultural Relativism It is a perspective in social science/anthropology that you analyze the commonalities/similarities of each culture. Appreciation, Acknowledgement, Credits. “No culture is superior to other culture”. 2. Ethnocentrism Opposite of Cultural Relativism. There is cultural standard or norms in analyzing different cultures. Ethnic Bias or Cultural Bias. Racism, Discrimination and other hate crimes. 3. Culture Shock It refers to the feeling of disbelief. Disorganization and frustration one experience when he encounters cultural patterns or practices which are different from his. 4. Xenocentrism It refers to the idea that what is foreign is best and that one’s lifestyle, products or ideas are inferior to those others.  What is Society? A society is a group of people living according to a shared culture.  Representation of our identity Avenue for Significance Characterize economic inter- of Studying the totality of a dependence territory Society Symbol of political independence What is Sociology? SOCIOLOGY- “socius” (people together, associate), “logos” (study of). Sociology is a branch of social science that deals with the study of society, groups, norms and organizations.  Why study Sociology? Helps us gain a better understanding of ourselves and our social world. Helps us see how behavior is shaped by the groups to which we belong and our society. Promotes understanding and tolerance by helping us look beyond personal experiences and gain insight into the larger world order. Helps us understanding how and why our individual personalities change depending on the group we are in. Is the study of individual as they behave in groups.  What is Anthropology? Anthropology is the Why is it important to branch of knowledge study anthropology? which deals with the scientific study of man. Anthropology helps you to learn about different cultures and understand what all rituals do It is from the words: logos the people of a particular mean word/study. It deals culture follow. with the scientific study of man, his works, his body, It also helps you to find the his behavior and values, similarities and differences in time and space. between the two cultures and the history of humans. Four Fields of Anthropology Anthro Interest Data Subfield Cultural Culture: Shared, learned, Behavior ideas dynamic, adaptive, integrated and ideational Biological/Physical Human evolution and Bodies variation Genes/DNA Linguistics Language (verbal and non- Sounds, words, grammar, verbal), communication movement. Gestures, expressions archaeology Cultural change over time Artifacts Material culture  Why is it important to study anthropology? Anthropology helps you to learn about different cultures and understand what all rituals do the people of a particular culture follow. It also helps you to find the similarities and differences between the two cultures and the history of humans.  POLITICAL SCIENCE “Polis”(Greek word) POLITICAL City “Scire” (Latin word) SCIENCE To Know  POLITICAL SCIENCE deals with the study of power in society, politics and government academic discipline that deals with the key issues and concepts in politics Father of Political Science  POLITICS ▪ It is the process of making government policies or public policies and includes also decision-making and enforcing process in any group for the happiness of the citizens. ▪ Deals with power in society in general and the art of science of government. BIBLE VERSE