Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

1. Chapter 1
INTRODUCING CULTURE,
SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

2. Chapter 1 provides some conceptual handles for understanding everyday experiences and
observations of culture, society, and politics. Thomas Hyland Eriksen (2001) illustrates the
definitive and ambiguous ways by which the concept of culture has been understood in terms of
how people live their lives. C. Wright Mills invites students to view the world around them in
terms of the intersection of private lives and the larger social and historical context. Lydia Yu-
Jose points out the limits of Western notions of politics to understand the Philippines and its
democratic institutions and processes. The remaining readings in this chapter offer some
definitions of culture, society and politics. In defining culture and society, Eriksen (2004) situates
the individual in the broader social world in which he or she is embedded. To deepen our
understanding of culture, Renato Rosaldo addresses the misunderstanding of the notion of
culture. He argues against widespread views that only cultural minorities have culture while
lowland Filipinos don ’t on account of Western influences. Finally, Andrew Heywood presents
four views of politics as affairs of the state, public affairs, conflict and compromise, and power.
How then are culture, society, and politics related in everyday life? Each person interacts
meaningfully with one another as members of society. Culture encompasses the meaningful
processes and products of these social interactions. People likewise interact in society as
individuals and as groups with duties and privileges. In the exercise of duties and privileges, a
person as a member of society engages in political activities.

3. Demonstrate the understanding of:
1.Human cultural variation, social differences, social change,
and political identities
2. The significance of studying culture, society, and politics
3. The rationale for studying anthropology, political science, and
sociology
CHAPTER OBJECTIVE

4. Lesson 1:
Making Sense of Our Everyday
Experiences
Specific Objective:
This phase aims to identify the prior knowledge of students
about culture, society, and politics

5. Using this picture, identify
the concepts that you can
associate with culture,
society, and politics. Write
your answers in the graphic
organizer.
Activity 1. Pinpoint!
Materials:
Paper
Pen

6. Process Question
From your answers, give your own definition
of culture, society, and politics.

7. HUMAN CULTURAL
VARIATION
-refers to the differences in social behaviors, norms, values, beliefs, and customs that exist
among different societies or cultures. This variation can be seen in many aspects of life such
as language, religion, social practices, traditions, and more.
-cultural variation is a direct consequence of the different ways in which societies adapt,
interact, and develop in their respective environments. It is an apt depiction of human diversity.
For instance, what may be considered good etiquette in one culture may be considered an
offensive gesture in another.
Moreover, cultural variation can also occur within one major society as certain social groups
may have unique values and practices but all feeding off of the broader culture.
This diversity in culture is what makes our world rich and fascinating. It’s important to respect
and appreciate these differences as they contribute to the vibrancy and richness of global
human culture.

8. HUMAN CULTURAL VARIATION
Ethnic Groups
The Philippines is home to many different ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture, language, and traditions. Some of the
major ethnic groups include the Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, and others.
Languages
Language is a significant aspect of cultural variation. The Philippines has over 100 languages spoken, with Filipino and English
being the official languages.
Religion
The Philippines is predominantly Christian, but there are also significant populations of Muslims and other religions.
Architecture
The architectural landscape of the Philippines contrasts between small traditional huts built of wood, bamboo, nipa, grass, and
other native materials; massive Spanish colonial churches, convents, and fortifications with heavy "earthquake baroque" style;
American mission style architecture as well as commercial buildings with modern 20th century styles; and today’s contemporary,
albeit "modern mundane" concrete structures of the cities.
Influence of Foreign Cultures
The Philippines has been influenced by various foreign cultures due to colonization and globalization. For instance, American
standards of beauty, which are often measured in the Philippines by the possession of Western physical traits – such as fair skin and
curly hair.

9. SOCIAL DIFFERENCES
-refer to the variations among individuals based on social characteristics and qualities. These
differences can be complex and include aspects such as class, race, culture, age, ability, sex,
etc.
-Social differences can lead to discrimination among individuals based on their social
characteristics. For example, in a society, if individuals with high status are given more respect
and importance compared to the poor or homeless people, then it is a social difference.
-These differences can create a lot of problems in a society because discrimination often
results in inequality, inferiority complex, and other social problems. However, it’s important to
note that social differences also contribute to the diversity and richness of a society.
In summary, social differences are variations in the society based on region, caste, color, etc.,
signifying linguistic and regional diversity

10. SOCIAL DIFFERENCES
Income and Social Class
Education
Healthcare
Geographical
Location
Gender
Ethnicity and
Language

11. SOCIAL CHANGE
-refers to the transformation of social
structures, institutions, and cultural norms
over time. It is a constantly occurring
phenomenon that shapes how we perceive
the world and its social interactions.
CAUSES
OUTCOMES
OUTCOMES
THEORIES OF
CHANGE

12. Key points about social change:
Definition:
Social change is the process through which social structures and institutions are reconstructed, undergoing a cultural
transformation. It's characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social organizations, or value systems.
Causes:
Social change can be caused by various factors such as technological advancements, social conflict, changes in social institutions,
or natural disasters. For instance, Marx viewed social change as the consequence of class struggle.
Outcomes:
Social change can result in positive or negative outcomes depending on the context and scale. It can lead to the development of
new social norms and institutions, or it can result in social instability or conflict.
Theories of Change:
Different theories view social change from various perspectives. For example, modernist theorists view social change as a result
of changes in the environment and other external factors. On the other hand, symbolic interpretivists believe that social
interaction creates social structures and leads to the alteration of existing and new structures.
Remember, social change is a complex process that involves many
interrelated factors. Understanding it requires a comprehensive view of
society and its dynamics.

13. POLITICAL IDENTITIES
Political identities are how people think of themselves in relation to the politics and
government of a country. They can include different aspects of one’s identity, such as ethnicity,
religion, gender, class, ideology, nationality, age, and generation.
Political identities can influence and be influenced by one’s political attitudes, behaviors, and
affiliations.
Ethnicity
Religion
Gender
Ideology
Nationality
Age and
Generation

14. ASSIGNMENT 1

15. CULTURE

16. A broad swath of people around the world relate with each other in different ways but a closer examination of these
differences also reveal how people are alike in terms of their biological features and what they do as they interact with
each other. The difference and similarities by which people live, act, and interact show the numerous aspects of human
existence. In the discipline of anthropology, these diverse but familiar manifestations of humanity are referred to as
culture. For anthropologists, culture is the reference point by which people organize themselves and make sense of
themselves as members of their own society. For that matter, anthropology regards culture as the “acquired cognitive
and symbolic aspects of human existence, whereas society refers to the social organization of human life, patterns of
interaction and power relationships” (Eriksen 2001: 4). Analyzing how people culturally differ and what they share in
common deepens our knowledge of humans as biological and social beings. Being human and becoming human is to be a
social person shaped by culture but tempered or enabled by their own bodily anatomy. The anthropological discipline
offers a detailed study of human engagements that include family life, child raising, beliefs and religion, politics, material
productions and innovations, laws, economic life and the relationship between men and women in different social
settings and time periods. In a sense, anthropology ask big questions about the human condition but draws answers from
the study of the particular experiences of people living under different circumstances, be these in a small village deep in
the jungles, a farming settlement, a bustling metropolitan city or a string of communities across different countries. By
looking at the general and particular aspects of human social life, anthropology provides explanation of the
interrelationship of the various facets of human life that explains sociocultural and political practices of societies
around the world across time and spaces. Understanding these relationship means making sense of the unique situation
and linkages that people establish within and between societies.

17. Process Questions
1. What are the objects
of anthropological
study?
2. What perspective
does anthropology
offer to the study of
culture and society?
3. Why is it important to
know the similarity
and diversity of
cultures and
societies?

18. • Anthropology and culture are deeply intertwined. Anthropology is the study of what makes us human, and it
takes a broad approach to understanding the many different aspects of the human experience. One of its major
divisions is cultural anthropology, which deals with the study of culture in all its aspects.
• Culture, in the context of anthropology, refers to patterns of behavior that are common within a particular
population of people. Cultural anthropology uses the methods, concepts, and data of archaeology, ethnography
and ethnology, folklore, and linguistics in its descriptions and analyses of the diverse peoples of the world.
• Cultural anthropologists investigate various aspects of culture such as language, identity, and social
structures. They use a research strategy called ethnography to get as much information as possible about a
particular culture. The goal is to see the whole picture and strive for a holistic view.
So, in essence, anthropology studies humans and their societies, while culture is a key component of these
societies that anthropologists study. The relationship between anthropology and culture is therefore one of
mutual dependence and interaction.
ANTHROPOLOGY and CULTURE

19. ANTHROPOLOGY and SOCIETY
• Anthropology is closely related to society as it is the study of human beings and includes the subfields of
archaeology, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Anthropologists study
human beings from a very broad and comparative perspective. They are interested in human experience
around the world, past and present.
• Anthropology studies every facet of human societies, including their culture, biology, and history. Cultural
anthropologists study cultures—from our own culture to those different from our own — by living in the
culture and gaining the insider's point of view.
• Anthropologists, today are also conducting a study of the present people and their societies as the
sociologists do. In several universities, anthropology and sociology are administratively organized into one
department.
Thus, anthropology is related to society as it studies the various aspects of human societies, their culture, their
history, and their behavior. It seeks to understand different cultures and applies its findings to solve
contemporary social problems. It provides a holistic view of human societies and their interactions.

20. SOCIETY

21. C. Wright Mills argues that a great number of our social experiences can overwhelm us into inaction.
He then offers a solution: a way of seeing society that can help us understand everyday events and
make better choices as individuals and as a group. He calls this the “sociological imagination, ” which
is a way of looking at people in terms of the intersection of their own lives with the larger social and
historical context. In Mills ’s view, society —not people ’s personal failings —is the main cause of
social problems (Macionis 2012: 7). To illustrate how one can develop a sociological imagination, Mills
distinguishes between two kinds of situations that people find themselves in: “private troubles”
(personal problems) and “public issues” (social problems). He points out that there are indeed private
troubles, but some of them also affect many other people since they have large-scale causes.
Examples of private troubles that are also public issues are poverty; unemployment; lack of access to
education; poor quality of education; air, water, and noise pollution; bullying; single parenthood; and
so on. According to Mills, addressing or solving a private trouble is different from addressing a public
issue. Since personal trouble is a private matter, its resolution lies within the individual and within the
scope of his or her immediate personal experience. In contrast, people viewing personal problems as
public issues will look for solutions to social problems not at the level of the individual. Instead, they
will look into bringing people together to create needed change by organizing themselves and through
their social institutions.

22. ACTIVITY 3:
Turning Personal Problems Into Social Problems
Group the class into 5 groups.
1. Designate a group leader who will facilitate the discussion, a documenter who will take
down notes, and a reporter who will present the main points of the group discussion to the
class.
2. Illustrate the main points discussed by the group on a sheet of Manila paper or any
appropriately sized piece of paper.
3. Present the group work to the class.
Process Questions
1. What personal troubles have you experienced? Identify 2 –3 personal troubles.
2. Are any of these personal troubles also social problems? Which ones and why?
3. Identify solutions to these social problems.

23. POLITICS

24. Yu-Jose ’s article localizes the Western concepts of politics. It discusses
politics and its place in the Philippines and its democratic institutions
and processes. The article begins with a discussion on the various
definitions of politics and its scope or focus. Particular interest on how
the study of politics revolves around the state, its institutions, its
decisions and its relationship with other states and individuals.
Pinpointing the scope of politics, however, remains a complicated task
because of the relational nature of politics. Therefore, an alternative way
is to decide what is political and what is not is to look at individuals’
attitudes toward the state —active participation, rejection, or
indifference. It ends with a discussion on the importance of participation
in the promotion and maintenance of democracy.

25. Assignment 2. Who Said What?
Inthisactivitythestudentsshouldbeabletoidentifydifferentthinkerswho
gaveperspectivesaboutpolitics.Whoseideaofpoliticsisthefollowing?
1. Ahumanbeingisapoliticalanimal.
2. Politicsistheauthoritativeallocationofvaluesinasociety.
3. Politicsreferstoanyactivityinvolvinghumanbeingsassociatedtogetherin
relationshipofpowerandauthoritywhereconflictoccurs.
4. Politicsisawayofrulingindividedsocietieswithoutviolence.
5. Politicsisreservedforstatesmenandstateswomen

26. Lesson Assessment
Each person interacts meaningfully with one another
as a member of society. Culture encompasses the
meaningful processes and products of these social
interactions. People interact in society as individuals
and as groups with duties and privileges. In the
exercise of duties and privileges, a person as a
member of society engages in political activities.
Use the diagram to show how a person/you,
experiences culture, society, and politics in your
everyday life. Minimum of 3 each.

27. •Culture and Society: This could be the societal norms and
expectations that are influenced by cultural values, such as
etiquette, social roles, and community traditions.
•Society and Politics: This could be how societal
structures and relationships are shaped by political systems,
such as laws defining marriage or education policies
affecting schools.
•Politics and Culture: This could be how cultural values
influence political ideologies and government policies, such
as policies on cultural preservation or the influence of
religious beliefs on laws.
•Culture, Society, and Politics: This central intersection
represents how all three aspects are interconnected and
influence each other in a person’s everyday life. This could
be how cultural values shape societal norms, which in turn
influence political ideologies and policies, and vice versa.
How are culture, society, and politics interrelated with one another?

28. Source: Conversation with Bing, 1/31/2024
(1) 1: Anthropology and Culture - Social Sci LibreTexts.
https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anthropology/Cultural_Anthropology/Cultural_Anthropology_%28Saneda%29/0
1%3A_Anthropology_and_Culture.
(2) Cultural anthropology | Definition, Examples, Topics, History, & Facts. https://www.britannica.com/science/cultural-
anthropology.
(3) Cultural anthropology - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_anthropology.
(4) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. https://www.achieveriasclasses.com/relationship-between-
sociology-and-anthropology/.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 1/31/2024
(1) What are Sociology and Anthropology? | Academics. https://gustavus.edu/soc-anthro/sociologyandanthropology.php.
(2) Sociology And Anthropology (Relations And Differences) - Tyonote. https://tyonote.com/sociology_and_anthropology/.
(3) Sociology vs. Anthropology – Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/science/sociology-vs-
anthropology/.
(4) Anthropology vs. Sociology: What's the Difference? - ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/anthropology-vs-
sociology-4685772.