Understanding Culture, Society and Politics

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WEEK 1
Technology
Culture - The practical application of knowledge in
- refers to that complex whole which includes converting raw materials into finished
knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, products.
customs and any other capabilities
- habits acquired by man as a member of Different Viewpoints/Perspective
society
- a foundation of man’s continuing interaction on Culture
with his surroundings 1. Cultural Relativism
- a perspective in social
Types of Culture science/anthropology that you analyze the
1. Material Culture commonalities/similarities of each culture.
- “No culture is superior to other culture”.
- we understand material and physical
objects. 2. Ethnocentrism
- Examples: Houses, Vehicles, Jeepneys - Opposite of Cultural Relativism.
2. Non-material Culture - There is Ethnic Bias or Cultural Bias
- we include non-material objects 3. Culture Shock
- Examples: Religion, Art, Customs - refers to the feeling of disbelief
- Disorganization and frustration one
experience when he encounters cultural
Elements of Culture patterns or practices which are different from
Knowledge his.
- refers to any information received and 4. Xenocentrism
perceived to be true - refers to the idea that what is foreign is best
Beliefs
- The perception of accepted reality. Society
- refers to the existence of things whether
- a group of people living according to a
material or nonmaterial
shared culture
- Example: mano, superstition
Social Norms
- established expectations of society as to
Elements of Society
how a person is supposed to act depending - Mutual interaction of individuals
on the requirements of the time, place or - a pattern of system
situation - Like mindedness
- Interdependence
- Cooperation
Different forms of Social Norms
Folkways Significance of Studying Society
- The patterns of repetitive behavior which - Representation of our identity
becomes habitual and conventional part of - Avenue for economic interdependence
living. - Symbol of political independence
Mores - Characterize the totality of a territory
- The set of ethical standards and moral
obligations as dictates of reason that Sociology
distinguishes human acts as right or wrong or
good from bad. - a branch of social science that deals with
the study of society, groups, norms and
Values
organizations
- Anything held to be relatively worthy, - “socius” (people together, associate),
important, desirable or valuable. “logos” (study of)
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- academic discipline that deals with the key
issues and concepts in politics
Political
- “Polis” (Greek word)
Why study Sociology? - City
- Helps us gain a better understanding of Science
ourselves and our social world.
- Helps us see how behavior is shaped by the - “Scire” (Latin word)
groups to which we belong and our society. - To Know
- Helps us understanding how and why our
individual personalities change depending on Politics
the group we are in. - the process of making government policies
or public policies and includes also decision-
Anthropology making and enforcing process in any group
- the branch of knowledge which deals with for the happiness of the citizens.
the scientific study of man. - Deals with power in society in general and
- It is from the words: logos mean word/study. the art of science of government.
- It deals with the scientific study of man, his
works, his body, his behavior and values, in
time and space. WEEK 2

Why is it important to study Human Origins

- Biological and cultural evolution: from Homo
anthropology? habilis (or earlier) to Homo sapiens sapiens in
- helps you to learn about different cultures the fossil record
and understand what all rituals do the people Homo Habilis
of a particular culture follow.
- helps you to find the similarities and - known as 'handyman'
differences between the two cultures and the - lived from approximately 2.33 to 1.4 million
history of humans. years ago
- Mary and Louis Leakey, who discovered the
fossils in Tanzania between 1962 and 1964
Four Fields of Anthropology Homo Erectus
1. Cultural - had a smaller but longer face, less
- Shared, learned, dynamic, adaptive, prominent or absent chin, larger brain size,
integrated and ideational and prominent speech
- Behavior ideas - knew how to make and use tools, knew how
2. Biological / Physical to make a fire and knew how to control it
- Homo erectus was carnivorous.
- Human evolution and variation - They were cave dwellers.
- Bodies, Genes/DNA
- they began spreading from Africa to Asia
3. Linguistics and Europe
- Language (verbal and non-verbal), Homo Sapiens
communication
• 1. Homo sapiens neanderthelensis
- Sounds, words, grammar, movement.
- They were carnivores and the tools
Gestures, expressions
from the era indicate they were
4. Archaeology hunters.
- Cultural change over time • 2. Homo sapiens sapiens
- Artifacts, Material culture - Also known as ‘modern-day man’ is
what we are today.
Political Science - They were omnivores, had skillful
hands, developed the power of
- deals with the study of power in society, thinking, producing art, more
politics and government sophisticated tools and sentiments.
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- refers to the society acting upon the child
Man’s Cultural Evolution
Subjective Socialization
1.Paleolithic Age
- process by which society transmits its
- Nomadic way of living culture from one generation to the next
- Hunting and gathering
2.Neolithic Age
- Domestication of plants and animals Perspective on Socialization
- Living in permanent places
Personality and Role Development
- the process of socialization that we develop
Types of Society our sense of identity and belongingness
1.Hunting and Food Gathering Societies Skills Development and Training
- The earliest form of human society. - The much-needed social skills such as
- People survived by foraging for vegetable communication, interpersonal, and
foods and small game, fishing, hunting larger occupational are developed.
wild animals, and collecting shellfish.
Values Formation
- They used tools made of stones, woods and
bones. - Individuals are influenced or engulfed by the
prevailing values of social groups and
2.Horticultural Societies
society.
- People learned to use human muscle power
Social Integration and Adjustment
and hand-held tools to cultivate fields.
- Classified as subsistence farming and - process allows us to fit-in an organized way
surplus farming. of life by being accustomed including cultural
- Involves only producing enough food to feed setting
the group. Social Control and Stability
- Male dominated - Integration to society binds individuals to
3.Pastoral Societies the control mechanism set forth by society’s
- domestication of animals for food and norms with regard to acceptable social
clothing to satisfy the greater needs of the relationships and social behavior.
group
- nomadic way of living Importance of Socialization
- Male dominated - Enables us to develop our human potential
4.Agricultural Societies and learn ways of thinking, talking and acting
- the use of the plow in farming that are necessary for social living.
- Creation of the irrigation system provided - Essential for the survival and stability of
farming enough surplus for the community. society.
5.Industrial Society - Allows society to pass culture on the next
- the use of mechanical means of production generation.
- Industrial societies are highly secularized.
6.Post-industrial Societies Agents of Socialization
- the spread of computer industries
-Family -Work
-Peers -Ethnic Background

WEEK 3 -Religion -Clubs / Social Groups

-Government -School
-Media
Socialization
- a continuing process whereby an individual
acquires a personal identity and learns the
norms, values, behavior and social skills Forms of Social Forms
appropriate to his and her social position
Folkways
Objective Socialization
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- the customary patterns that specify what is
socially correct and proper in everyday life.
Functions of Deviance
Mores -By Ronald W. Smith and Frederick W. Preston
- define what is morally right and morally • Deviance serves as an outlet for
wrong diverse forms of expectations.
• Deviance serves to define the limits of
acceptable behavior.
• Deviance may also promote in-group
Laws solidarity.
- norms that are enforced formally by a • Deviance can serve as a barometer of
special political organization social strain.

Major Value Orientations of Sociological Theories of Deviance

1.Functionalist Theory
Many Societies
- According to Emile Durkheim, deviance can
1.Achievement and Success serve a number of functions for society.
2.Activity and Work
2. Strain Theory
3. Moral Orientation
- Robert Merton argued that in an unequal
4.Humanitarian society the tension or strain between socially
5.Efficiency and Practically approved goals and an individual’s ability to
meet those goals through socially approved
means will lead to deviance as individuals
Filipino Values reject either the goals, the means or both.
A. Conformity
1.Emotional Closeness and Security in the
- accepting both the cultural goal of success
Family and the use of legitimate means for achieving
2. Authority Value that goal
- Example: A high school student graduates
3. Economic and Social Betterment
and goes to college
4. Patience, Suffering, and Endurance B. Innovation
- accepting the goal of success but rejecting
the use of socially accepted means of
Social Status achieving it, turning instead to
- the position an individual occupies in unconventional, illegitimate means
society and implies an array of rights and - Example: Drug dealers, burglars
duties C. Ritualism
- occurs when people deemphasize or reject
2 Types of Social Statuses the importance of success once they realize
Ascribed Statuses they will never achieve it and instead
concentrate on following or enforcing these
- assigned to the individual from birth rules was intended
- Example: gender - Example: students who graduate from high
Achieved Statuses school without career plans but attend a
- acquired by choice, merit, or individual college or university anyways, because that
effort is what is expected
- Example: marriage D. Retreatism
- withdrawal from society, caring neither
Deviance about success nor about working
- behavior or physical appearance that is - Example: Drug addicts, beggars
socially challenged E. Rebellion
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- occurs when people reject and attempt to
change both the goals and the means
approved by society
- Example: terrorism

Social Control
- refers to the efforts of a group or society to
regulate the behavior of its members in
conformity with established norm

Human Rights
- natural rights of all human beings whatever
their nationality, religion, ethnicity, sex,
language, and color

Rights of Human Beings

1.Natural Rights
- rights that given to us by God as a human
being
- right to live, love and be happy
2. Constitutional Rights
- the rights guaranteed under the
fundamental charter of the country
- Example of these are the rights
safeguarding the accused under the Bill of
Rights.
3. Statutory Rights
- rights provided by the lawmaking body of a
country or by law
- such as the right to receive a minimum wage
and the right to preliminary investigation
4. Civil Rights
- rights specified under the Bill of Rights
- such as freedom of speech, right to
information
5. Economic Rights
- rights to property, whether personal, real,
or intellectual
- Examples: right to use and dispose his
property, right to practice one’s profession,
and right to make a living
6. Political Rights
- rights an individual enjoys as a
consequence of being a member of a body
politic
- Examples: right to vote and right to be voted
into public office
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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Marriage
- an agreement of procreation
- a special contract of permanent union
between a man and a woman entered into in
accordance with law
- The New Family Code speaks of two aspects
of marriage: as a contract and as a status.
- The minimum age for marriage is 18 years
but parental consent is necessary for those
below 21 years.

WEEK 5
Types of Marriage
Kinship By Blood Polygamy
- a marriage that includes more than two
Family
partners.
- the basic social institution and the primary Polygyny
group in society
- a group of two or more persons related by - man is married to more than one wife
birth, marriage, or adoption who live together Polyandry
- woman is married to more than one husband
Group or Conjoint Marriage
Families and the Rule of Descent
- marriage includes multiple husbands and
Descent wives
- the system of acknowledged social - a married couple marry to another married
parentage couple
- a person may claim kinship ties with another Sororal Polygyny
Kinship - Man is married to several sisters.
- the most universal and basic of all human - man is allowed to marry the sister of his wife
relationships - Example: Jacob the Old Testament
- is based on ties of blood, marriage, or Monogamy
adoption - married to one partner
Endogamy
Types of Descent Groups - the practice of marrying within a specific
A. Unilineal Descent ethnic group, class, or social group
- tracing descent either through the father or Exogamy
mother - the practice of marrying outside one’s
B. Matrilineal Descent group
- tracing descent exclusively through females
from a founding female ancestor Void Marriages under the
- looking in female side
C. Patrilineal Descent Family Code
- tracing descent exclusively through males Article 37
from a founding male ancestor - Marriages between the following are
- looking in male side incestuous and void from the beginning,
D. Ambilineal Descent whether relationship between the parties be
- the children can opt to claim lineage on legitimate or illegitimate:
either their father or their mother’s family • (1) Between ascendants and
group descendants of any degree; and
• (2) Between brothers and sisters,
whether of the full or half blood.
Defining Marriage Article 38
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- The following marriages shall be void from - families that include the other members of
the beginning for reasons of public policy:
• (1) Between collateral blood relatives
whether legitimate or illegitimate, up
to the fourth civil degree;…

Same-sex Marriage
- also known as gay marriage
- marriage between two people of the same
biological sex and/or gender identity
- As of June 28, 2014, 16 countries have
allowed same sex marriages.
Divorce
- a court order saying that a man and woman
are no longer husband and wife
the kinship group such as your uncles,
Annulment grandparents, and cousins
- a judicial statement that there never was a Nuclearization of the families
marriage between the man and the woman - process of growing dominance of nuclear
- Void ab initio (Void from the beginning). families over extended families in both urban
and rural areas
Legal Separation
- a decree that gives a husband and wife the Based on Residence
right to live separately from each other Patrilocal
- but not allowed by the law to remarry
- married couple moves to the husband’s
father’s community
What are the grounds for Matrilocal
annulment? - located at or centered around the residence
of the wife's family or people
Article 45
Neolocal
- The Family Code of the Philippines, there
- a married couple chooses new residence
are 6 legal grounds for the annulment of
a marriage:
• lack of parental consent (if either party Based on Authority
isat least 18 but below 21 years old) Patriarchal Family
• psychological incapacity
- one in which the authority is vested in the
• fraud
eldest male in the family, often the father
• consent for marriage obtained by
force, intimidation, or undue influence Matriarchal Family
• impotence / physical incapability of - one in which the authority is vested in the
• consummating the marriage mother or the mother’s kin
• serious sexually transmitted disease Egalitarian Family
Types of Family - one in which both the husband and the wife
exercise a more or less equal amount or
Nuclear Family degree of authority
- the most basic form of family Matricentric Family
- consist of a married couple and their - type of authority is usually found in places
biological or adopted children where the father commutes and is out for the
greater part of the day
Extended Family
Functions of the Family
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- 1. The family regulates sexual behavior and Chiefdom
is the unit for reproduction. - a political organization, composed of a
- 2. The family performs the functions of number of communities that is ruled by a
biological maintenance.
permanent paramount chief coming from an
- 3. The family is the chief agency in elite family
socializing the child. - Example: Raja Soliman, Sultan Kudarat
- 4. The family gives its members status.
- 5. The family is an important mechanism for
social control. Nations and States
- 6. The family performs economic functions, Nations
especially in the simple societies.
- group of people that shared a common
- 7. To care for and nurture children to
history, language, traditions, customs,
become responsible adults.
habits, and ethnicity

WEEK 6 State
- political unit consisting of a government that
has sovereignty presiding a well-defined
Political Dynasty
territory
- formed when a family members run for
Nation-state
office to keep their position in power
- citizens of a state belong to only one nation
Elements of State
Philippine Laws
- 1. People/Population
- The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines - 2. Territory
states in Article II Section 26: "The State shall - 3. Government
guarantee equal access to opportunities for - 4. Sovereignty
public service and prohibit political dynasties
as may be defined by law. “
Political Legitimacy and Authority
Proposed Legislation Authority
- On January 24, 2011, Senator Miriam - the power to make binding decisions and
Defensor Santiago filed Senate Bill 2649, issue commands
which prohibits political dynasties from - What makes authority binding and worthy of
holding or running for elected local obedience is legitimacy.
government positions. Legitimacy
- a moral and ethical concept that bestows
Political Structure or Institution one who possesses power the right to
authority
- organized way in which power is distributed
- For authority to be binding and stable, it
and decisions are made within a society
must be legitimate.

Political Organizations
3 Types of Authority
Bands
- Considered as the simplest political system 1.Traditional Authority
- formed by several living together based on - legitimacy is derived from well-established
marriage ties, common descendants, customs, habits, and social structures
friendship affiliations - Example: Monarchy
- Decision making are made by consensus. 2.Charismatic Authority
- Ruled by a village headman - legitimacy emanates from the charism of the
Tribes individual, power legitimated through
- practice agriculture, allowing them to extraordinary personal abilities that inspire
support large populations. devotion and obedience
- Example: Igorot - Example: Pastor Quiboloy
- bigger compared to bands 3. Rational
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- Legal or Bureaucratic Authority -Absolute Monarchy
- this kind of authority draws its legitimacy
• The powers of the monarch (king or
from formal rules promulgated by the state
queen) are absolute.
through its fundamental and implementing
• Their word is law, and their people
laws
have no say.
- based on laws
• Countries with Abosulute Monarchy:
Qatar, Oman, Jordan
Government -Mixed Monarchy
- who have authority or control over others • A monarchy which includes elements
of democracy and aristocracy.
3 Types of Government
Legislative
- makes laws 3. Democracy
Executive - Supreme power is given to the people and
- enforces laws exercised by them directly or indirectly
Judiciary through a system of representation.
- adjudicates case or disputes - Democratic countries have free elections
where all citizens have to vote.
- Example countries today: United States of
Forms of Government America, Philippines
1. Theocracy 4. Communist / Communism
- a government or country that is ruled by - A system of government in which the state
someone who has religious authority or plans and controls the economy and citizens.
divine right - Example country: North Korea
- a form of government that is composed of
joint rule of the church and the state
- Theocratic Countries today: Afghanistan,
Iran, Saudi Arabia, Vatican City
-Vatican City
• Pope
o the leader of the Catholic
Church and Bishop of Rome
o exercises supreme legislative
executive and judicial power
2. Monarchy
- ruled by a king and is hereditary-passed
down through the family
- Example: Saudi Arabia
“King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud”
5. Dictatorship
-Types of Monarchies Around the World
- The government is under the control of one
• Constitutional Monarchy person.
• Absolute Monarchy - Example: Ferdinand Emmanuel E. Marcus
• Mixed Monarchy Sr.
• Commonwealth Realms 6. Presidential
-Constitutional Monarchy
- one where the president is head of state as
• also called a limited monarchy well as head of the government and the
• constitutional monarchies use a executive is independent from the legislative
parliamentary system in which the king and judiciary
or queen may have strictly ceremonial -Example: Philippines
duties 7. Parliamentary
• have an elected prime minister who is
the head of government
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
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- a government where there is a president
and a prime minister
- the President is head of state while the
Prime Minister is head of government, and
where the executive is under the legislative
and chosen by the legislative
-Example: Denmark, Finland, Greece, Turkey
8. Federal
- the government has two sets of organs, one
organ takes care of the local affairs while the
other takes care of national affairs
- Example: United States of America