1. Defining Culture and Society
from the Perspective of
Anthropology and Sociology
Prepared by: Ms. Lovely T. Gapuen
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics 11
10:30-11:30 (M-T-F)
2. CULTURE
The modern term "culture" is based on a term used
by the Ancient Roman orator Cicero, where he wrote
of a cultivation of the soul or "cultura animi,“ using
an agricultural metaphor for the development of a
philosophical soul, understood teleologically.
3. A word for the 'way of life' of groups of people,
meaning the way they do things. An integrated
pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behaviour.
The outlook, attitudes, values, morals, goals, and
encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social
habits, music & arts, and customs shared by a
society.
4. SOCIETY
Came from the Latin word “societas”, which in
turn was derived from the noun socius
("comrade, friend, ally") used to describe a bond
or interaction between parties that are friendly, or
at least civil.
5. A group of individuals involved in persistent
social interaction, or a large social group
sharing the same geographical or social
territory, typically subject to the same political
authority and dominant cultural expectations.
6. ANTHROPOLOGY
New Latin anthropologia derived from
the combining forms of the Greek words ánthrō
("human") and lógos ("study")
The scientific study of humans and human
behaviour and societies in the past and present.
7. SOCIOLOGY
Derived from both Latin and Greek origins. The Latin
word: socius, "companion"; the suffix -logy, "the study
of" from Greek lógos, "word", “knowledge”
Study of society, patterns of social
relationships, social interaction and culture of
everyday life.
9. LET US DIFFERENTIATE THE
PERSPERCTIVE OF THE TWO
STUDIES,
ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
10. ANTHROPOLOGY
A qualitative methodology (means the quality of
something ,how good)
Studies how individuals, families, and communities
engage with the society and social trends
Anthropologist wants to mirror and record the
happenings of a society without comparing to other
society and their culture.
11. This study is more emphasis on culture and its
physical and social characteristics
(family, language, religion, gender, arts, etc.)
Anthropologist viewed that the society move from
simple to complex forms
example:
Society moved from hunting to gathering
to commercial and then industrial
It incorporates archaeology and biophysical
evidence such as material and physical culture
13. SOCIOLOGY
A quantitative methodology ( means measured by
the large amount of something)
More concern with the structures of society (class,
wealth, power, etc.)
Studies how the larger society and social trends
affect families, friendship, and communities
14. example:
Interaction of a group towards other
groups (comparison)
More oriented toward solving problems
Incorporates economics and statistics to a
larger degree
17. Both branches of social science
Involve the study of life and culture in order
to understand the causes and consequences of
human action.
Some problems of sociology best explain from
anthropologist’s perspective
18. CULTURE AND SOCIETY DEFINED
Any culture is a product of society
There is no society without the culture
Society can’t separate from their own culture
Co-existent, one does not or cannot exist
without the other
Society is consist of the people who share a
common culture
