TIWI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
Prepared by: Raul Madrilejos
A/Y
2020 -2021
SUBJECT: PRACTICAL RESEARCH

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION:

This module on understanding culture, society and politics specially

designed for you under senior high school, this module serves as a discerning
light to you by using the lens of deconstructive method framed with critical
thinking in learning, relearning and unlearning of what reflects an authentic
Filipino culture, society, and politics amidst the constant influx of influences
from the west and all other continents.

COURSE OUTLINE:

I. First Quarter
a) Culture
b) Culture and Language
II. Second Quarter
a) Society
b) Politics

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Regular self-assessment evaluation and quizzes

2. Suggested reading materials for discussions

3. Major quarterly examinations

 FIRST QUARTER

Unit 1: CULTURE

OBJECTIVES: Upon completing this module, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the nature of culture

2. Identify the characteristics of culture
3. Explain cultural diffusion and assimilation
4. Understand cultural norms
5. Illustrate Filipino values and beliefs

LESSON PROPER

How do we picture a human person without culture? Can we still call a

person human whose faculties of thinking and embodied self are nowhere
contained? And how could the person's wealth of potentials as ordained by His
Maker be actualized unless actualized within the sphere of culture? It is,
therefore, unthinkable to think of a person that resonates his being human
outside the realm of culture in the same way that it is unthinkable to think of
wildlife to thrive in outside a forest.

Culture does not only bring out the humanity of a person, but culture also
is in itself a product of the person's humanity, his freedom and rationality.
Human potentials are unleashed through and with the aid of culture. It is using
culture that his faculty of reason gets nurtured, his freedom enables him to
decide and make choices, his contingency or dependency allows him to interact
and form social relationships with others.

Culture regulates his ways, unfolds his capacity to construct ideas, builds
values and beliefs and manufactures the needed tools and equipment that would
sustain him as he lives in the world of matter. It is using culture as well that a
person copes with the forces of nature and other external factors that may have
something to do with his search for meaning and happiness besides the
preservation of his life. A person as being-in-the-world (Martin Heidegger) is not
the same as the non-rational being that simply exist to survive. There is
something more to a person's life than just eating, drinking and merry-making.
The wealth of being a person (St. Thomas Aquinas) requires the power of culture
to unfold it and bring it to its fullness and be productive as a member of society.

A culture that serves as a person's way of responding to his human needs

both as physical and rational being cannot be understood though separately
outside the sphere of society. While it is possible to distinguish ontologically the
two concepts, namely, culture and society, it is not possible to separate them in
actual reality.

Society and culture coexist with each other. One cannot exist without the
other. A society which comprises the people creates a culture that guides itself.
They both complement each other.

Society and culture, however, do not just coexist for existence's sake. A
person does not merely exist for pure temporal and spatial reason. He does not
only exist for survival all through his life. Instead, life must be lived to a higher
level of existence not just as an individual but as a participant as well under the
umbrella of human society. As an individual, a person does not only live for
himself but recognizes as well the presence of his fellow with accompanying
duties and responsibilities. As a social group, there must be a common end to
realize and this case we refer to what we call as common good (St. Thomas
Aquinas) which brings people together, build solidarity and live in peace and
development.

The political sphere in society assures every individual the preservation of

the common good that allows him to live in the world of others. A state or a
government as a political society rules the people under the rule of law with the
primordial end of promoting public welfare that brings about peace and order
and development.

This module primarily covers the three major components, namely,

culture, society and politics, for you to have a modest understanding not just of
all that surrounds the what" of life but also of the "why and the how of life
(Friedrich Nietzsche) as lived in the world of humanity reflective of the person's
being rational, free and bodily.

Discussions on pertinent matters affecting culture, society and politics in

this module are tackled through the prism of critical thinking whose ultimate
consideration is not just to uphold what is right but also of what is good to the
Filipino people as perceived.

While sociological concepts used in this book remain the same, then and
now, as they transcend time and space, the fabric of these concepts is woven
with the materials of modernity and globalization for easier and better
understanding and appreciation without "cultural collateral."

Meaning of Culture

Culture is a means of society used in responding to nature. It is not just

meant though to respond merely to various forces of the physical environment
but defines a person as well as a human being endowed with his inherent
freedom and rationality. Perspectives, behaviors and attitudes towards life and
its environs are redefined, however, as a result of the advancement of science
and technology that has generated an avalanche of changes in varying shapes
and curves. He is bound to adapt or suit himself to enable him to respond to
changes caused by various external factors.

The meaning of culture, however, is not the same as being cultured about
those rich people who live in "high society" flaunting their expensive gems and
luxury cars or culture that refers to the "low cultured" people who live in crowded
shanties and surviving through hand-to-mouth existence.
 Culture makes humans distinct from animals (Chester Hunt) It is one
distinguishing mark of being human. Humans alone have culture while animals
do not have because culture requires a reason to think and understand which
animals are not capable.

What, therefore, is culture? What does it embody or constitute? How is

culture characterized? How does culture cope with the constant changes that
take place in the world of time and place?

These are some of the many pertinent questions that need to be answered
before heading forward to some more complex ones. These answers could provide
students a thorough understanding of the changes that are relentlessly
unfolding in societies and the transformations that these societies have
undergone or continue to experience due to some external forces affecting them
in one way or another along in time (Ronnie E. Pasigui).

Culture consists of the beliefs, behaviors, objects, and other

characteristics common to the members of a particular group or society. Through
culture, people and groups define themselves, conform to society's shared
values, and contribute to society. Thus, culture includes many societal aspects:
language, customs, values, norms, mores, rules, tools, technologies, products,
organizations, and institutions (Isabel Panopio).

One of the great Filipino journalists and sociologists today, UP Professor

Randy David, wrote in his book, Reflection on Sociology and Philippine Society,
culture renders people's lives meaningful, a source of identity and self-esteem.
It allows people to understand the world and define places within it. Culture, for
Prof. David, also permits communities and generations to share a common
memory. It provides them with language by which to represent themselves and
through which they could express their deepest yearnings. It is a tool for the
recuperation of national morale after a period of colonization.
 Every human person carries with him his culture wherever he goes,
whatever he does and whoever he is. Culture serves as the person's eyeglasses
in looking at things and doing things. To understand the culture more fully, it is
but proper to know how it is characterized as a concept.

Characteristics of Culture

Culture as learned

Culture is not ascribed or naturally embedded in the persons being. It is,

therefore, not inherent or inborn. It is instead acquired. But to acquire culture
one should have the power of reason because you have to learn it to acquire it
and to learn the reason. Hence, culture is only proper and suitable to rational
beings like a human person.

The symbolic character of culture provides the people ideas or knowledge which
area mental representation of all realities that surround them as well as their
meanings corresponding to them. Because culture is learned, it includes as well
how people think and express themselves.

As a result, the people have learned to utilize them according to the

people's accepted meanings or references. Culture constitutes a system of
symbols and meanings used by society to organize their ideas, interpret their
experiences, pass judgment or make decisions and guide their behavior Jocano,
1992).

Culture as normative

Culture is not just confined to knowing things, that is, of their concepts
and meanings. It not simply meant to know the truth of things but also of the
goodness of things. In other words, culture serves as the norm of the people's
actions. As normative, culture guides people to do things in conformity with the
people's accepted norms which they use to regulate their ways. Should there be
no norms in society to comply; people would result in doing things unmindful or
indifferent to his fellow who may bring an immensity of confusion and
complication, worse, anarchy and chaos?

In the absence of norms or to be exact, in the absence of culture,

everything becomes disoriented, disorderly or confused about what to do or what
not to do. Both written and unwritten norms are, therefore, necessary to regulate
or guide human ways and behavior.

Worse, if there are no norms to follow, everything might result to grim

scenarios we all abhor to happen.

Culture as cumulative

Culture, which exists along in time and place, is passed from one
generation to the next through the medium of language and behavior which
make the continuity of culture possible. This is the splendor of having the culture
of our ancestors handed down to us regardless how long these traditions or
customs have been imbibed or practiced. How we want our children, and our
children's children appreciate our values and beliefs we emulate now can be
made possible with the use of language or behavior we manifest The best
testament o culture as cumulatively are no less than being living testimonies of
our kind of culture.

The way we live and the way we want our children live albeit not entirely
parallel but the substance behind could be an effective way of having our young
perpetuate our cultural values or traits. Hence, culture is cumulative. However,
the complexion of culture may be altered due to some changes in the needs of
the people as due to some external factors or the varying circumstances Let us
remember that culture is always caught in the changing time and place. With
the stratospheric rise of technological development, it is to be expected a vast
array of cultural changes tailored upon such changes.
Culture as adaptive

As a being-in-the-world, a person lives in a given time and place. He lives

in a geographical setting. This geographical setting includes all that are found in
the world such as land, seas, mountains, forests, weather and the like. Culture
adapts itself to and around its geographical setting. How culture is formed and
assimilated by the people largely depends on the environment where it is
situated. Hence, culture can be characterized to be adaptive.

Circumstances play a vital role in the acquisition or formation of culture.

Both mentifacts and artifacts of culture are chiefly based on the kind of physical
environment that envelops the people and their culture.

Culture as diverse

Culture is different since there are various social structures, beliefs, values
and other practices that people use in adapting to a given situation. There are
several factors that contribute to cultural diversity not just in different countries
but also among the various regions located within the country itself as the
Philippines. The geographical setting of inhabitants living in the mountainous
area like Benguet or Mountain Province of the Cordillera Region may be a factor
that differentiates the culture of the people living in coastal areas.

The cold weather of Baguio City yields a lot of differences along the
residents mentifacts and artifacts. The kind of clothes alone is one visible
distinction between Baguio residents wearing a thicker dress and the lighter
clothes worn by the lowlanders. Their respective economies with Baguio's
vegetables and fruits are grown while marine life and fishes of coastal residents
abound their place. The needs of the people make up as well another source of
cultural diversity.
Cultural Diffusion and Assimilation

The richness of a culture rests upon the degree of cultural diffusion

(Panopio) made accessible to people generated by influences from other cultures
through various ways of interaction such as trading. For instance, people in the
urban places have better and faster access to different cultures because people
frequent the area who may be doing some business or other forms of
involvement. And as a result, it brings with them their cultural practices or traits
that could lead to cultural assimilation. On the contrary villagers living in remote
or isolated places may not have much encounters or exposure to different
cultures as they rarely interact with non-residents of their place. Hence, cultural
diffusion and assimilation may not be observable.

With the advent of globalization, commerce and industry, tourist

destinations, less powerful travel processing, among others, have opened the
doors of many countries. The floodgates of cultural diffusion and assimilation
are now widely opened. Social and cultural changes are now evident in different
societies. Other sources of changes in culture and society are the influences
generated from the use cyberspace and from frequent travels to foreign shores.

Assimilating a foreign culture though does not necessarily make you

disloyal or less nationalistic to your home country. As a universal being or as
global citizen as well call it now, we are, and we must be open to cultures different
from ours and be interactive to any people inasmuch all of us are citizens of the
world (Michael Jackson)

Professor Randy David, however, underscored in his reflections on

Philippine society, "we have woven the fabric of our native cultures with
materials of modernity." This results, he added, "an amalgamation of different
cultures in the globalized worldview all lumped together" paving the way for
redefining Filipino cultural identity. How to preserve one's cultural heritage
amidst globalization is now a challenge posed to each and every one of us.
Cultural Relativism

Something is said to be relative when it changes from person to person,

from place to place or from time to time. In the world of fashion, what may be
worn in the 1970s by men may no longer be fashionable to men of today's
generation.

There are factors that cause some changes in the cultural evolution. The
changing needs of the people, the influence of modern science and technology,
the free entry of foreign cultures in today’s globalized society, the different
geographical settings of the people, are some of the causes. The principle of the
reality of change is best expressed by an ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus
when he said, "everything is in the state of flux." Everything is in a constant
process of change.”

Universality of culture

Cultural universals are believed to exist among all men and attributed in
most cases to the necessity of meeting needs, as said above, common to all men.
(American anthropologist George P. Murdock (1965)

Ethnocentrism and Xenocentrism

The feeling of ethnocentrism comes about when we, with bias or prejudice,
treat other cultures (their customs, traditions, tools, among others) as inferior in
comparison to one's culture. Often we look at the "primitives or minority
communities as ethnocentric since they are not open to cultural integration with
culture on their own not knowing that our attitude toward them is ethnocentric
itself. Under an environment of high cultural integration may lead to a culture
where people's norms and practices are built around their ethnic culture giving
rise to what is called ethnocentrisms. (Panopio)

On the other hand, there is a feeling of xenocentrism when we tend to

value other cultures more highly than one's own. By this belief, the products,
styles, ideas and values of one's society are regarded as inferior to that of other
societies. This is a common trait among Filipinos who are widely known for their
colon1al mentality. We take pride when we have purchased or own something
that is important. We always associate higher quality of products to foreign origin
over our local products as seen as of inferior quality.

Cultural Norms

The social norm, or simply, "norm, is arguably the most important concept
in sociology. Sociologists believe that norms govern our liveš by giving us implicit
and explicit guidance on what to think and believe, how to behave, and how to
interact with others. We learn norms in a variety of settings and from various
sources, including our families, from teachers and peers in school, through the
media, and simply by interacting with others as we go about our daily business.

There are four key types of norms, albeit different from one another
regarding significance and importance, and methods of enforcement and
sanctioning of violations. These are folkways, mores, taboos, and laws in the
order of importance.

Values and Beliefs

Values and beliefs are primordial elements of culture that significantly

define people of what they are and what they could be as members of a given
society without which nothing else may differentiate them from lower forms of
animals. Values are a culture s standard for discerning what is good and just in
society. Values are deeply embedded and critical for transmitting and teaching a
culture's beliefs. Beliefs are the tenets or convictions that people hold to be true
that largely influence their thoughts and behaviors.

Cultural values are shared assumption of what is right, good, or necessary.

Values guide man's behavior and action as he relates himself to most situations
in life. The Filipino values can best be seen from the aspects of personal and
social relationships. Personally, the Filipinos value more their honor and status
than anything else. The majority of them takes care of their honor (karangalan)
rather than wealth. In decision making, the Filipinos usually consult and take
into consideration the consensus of the family members as the feelings of those
who are to be affected. [thttp://www.slideshare.net/mhaee/society-and-
culture-the-filipino-values-and-culture]

The following are some traits or values that may have link to the
perpetuation of graft and corruption in our particularly in the government
offices: Pakikisama; Utang na loob; Close family ties and Hiya.

ACTIVITY

1. Give the advantages and disadvantages of Filipino values. Write your answer
inside the boxes.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
2. Complete the semantic web by writing the descriptions of each characteristic
of culture.

Culture as learned

______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
__

Culture as cumulative Culture as normative

__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
_
_________________________
Characteristics _________________________
of culture _________________________
_________________________

Culture as diverse

____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
___________________________________
3. What is the very essence of culture?

4. How does the culture affect our humanity?

5. In your own reflective analysis explain the statement: “Brown skin,
white minds.”

6. Research the 4 types of cultural norms, then, expound it in your own

words.
Unit 2: CULTURE and LANGUAGE

OBJECTIVES: Upon completing this module, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the nature of language in relation to culture

2. Illustrate the characteristics of language
3. Identify the functions of language
4. Describe the relationship between culture and technology
5. Analyze some cultural practices
6. State the relationship between culture, LGBT community and
proliferation of Malls

LESSON PROPER

Culture and Language

A person does not only think, but he also communicates of what he thinks.
The act of expressing one's thoughts, ideas and feelings entail the use of
language. Not only rationality but also language, therefore, distinguishes
persons from animals.

Language can either be expressed through written or spoken forms. In

either way, language relays the same thing, that is, one's thoughts, ideas or
feelings. Language is not inherent in a person. He learns (what and) how to speak
out his mind through words. To understand what one speaks of, it is but proper
that the words one says conform with the thoughts he wants to communicate.
Otherwise, there is a miscommunication or even deception. As an oft-repeated
line goes, say what you mean and mean what you say.”

Characteristics of Language

Language is a complex reality that requires a comprehensive

understanding of its nature. Experience tells us that sometimes one and the
same idea may be expressed through different words. There are also times when
a particular word creates a dispute between two individuals instead of
understanding because of different meaning or beliefs or views.

Here the characteristics:

1. Language as rational
2. Language as acquired
3. Language as dynamic
4. Language as social
5. Language as relative

Language and its functions

1. Language as informative
2. Language as expressive
3. Language as directive
4. Language as performative
5. Language as ludic or comical
6. Language as ceremonial
7. Language as complex
8. Language as logical

Culture and technology

To make life easier and more comfortable is the primordial reason of the
birth and the current technology in the Philippines and elsewhere. What a person
lacks in his physical self he compensates it with his rational nature. Since
technology is the work of human reason, it must, in turn, help better the human
person because he lives in the act of becoming as growth of philosophers of
change would afirm. But, does technology help humanize (further) the human
person? Does technology contribute to the betterment of humanity? It is to be
noted that not all inventions benefitted man. There are some products of
technology are meant to destroy humanity such as the high powered
ammunitions, addictive substances, life-threatening o hazardous to one's life,
and others.

The intention of this section is to highlight on information technology

which includes here the use of a computer, the internet and other gadgets that
facilitate communication among people, its users.

Deconstructing Some Cultural Practices

The very meaning and mission of deconstruction (Jacques Derrida) is to

show that things texts, institutions, traditions, societies, beliefs. As well as
practices of whatever size and sort you need - do not have definable meanings
and determinable missions, that they are always more than any mission would
impose, that they exceed the boundaries they currently occupy. What is going
on in things, what is happening, is always to come.

Moreover, deconstruction is always open to possibilities, to the unfolding

of whatever is new. It does not put a stop-gap nor limit to what can still be
unveiled. It abhors mediocrity or complacency. It is friendly, instead, to those
that soar to greater heights. It awaits more to come.

It behooves us to subject old ways to scrutiny should they no longer

respond to the "signs of the time." Critical thinking dictates that whatever has
become irrelevant or obsolete given the constant change in one's needs and
circumstances shall be deconstructed. The following are some of the favorite
Filipino traits or "old habits" that need to be deconstructed: 1] pwede na!; 2]
Filipino Time; and 3] domestic drudgery.

Culture and LGBT Community

Many people think that sex is the same as gender, but they are not. Sex is
natural while gender think is cultural. Sex cannot be altered. It is ascribed,
unlike gender which may be changed or acquired. Sex refers to thee maleness or
femaleness of a person while gender refers to the masculinity or feminity of a
person.

Cultural evolution has generated some significant changes in our society

prominently both locally and globally. The gradual shift from traditional to
modern kind of thinking and behavior has brought in the open from the closet,
the LGBT community (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender). This
additional sector of our society "struggles" to be heard and recognized as "legit
normal constituents of humanity. The gender discrimination which is felt by its
members must in no time be stopped and extend its members all the rights and
privileges that the straight men and women enjoy to the full.

Culture and proliferation of malls

What do burgeoning malls have to do with culture? Firstly, malls are

venues for shopping, movie houses, restaurants, appliance stores, and much
more.

These are favorite places for all people from all walks of life. People frequent
malls for relaxation as well. Parks like Luneta which used to be where people sit,
walk or lie down for rest are slowly becoming a thing of the past.

Families come together to share the fun at huge malls where they have a
wide array of options where to stay or dine. Friends also frequent malls for all
kinds of reason but mostly for fun. You also see men of cloth or religious sisters
roaming around probably to see for themselves the favorite place where their
"sheep” are.

One may observe the happy disposition of those people inside the malls
even many of them just merely engage window shopping or simply watch people
mill around aimlessly. The proliferation of malls has gone all over the country
albeit the urban places in particular. In a way, the rural folks will have a glimpse
of what Manila seems like without traveling that far.
 Malls could be testaments of progress and development, especially in the
countryside. The wall that used to separate between urban and rural folks is
now gone. Since you see people of various social classes in the malls, you don't
seem to see the social strata that divide the rich and the poor, the educated and
the unschooled.

Those poor people may be inspired to work harder to purchase items they
have been dreaming. Some observers might think that people have become
materialistic with all material possessions you see inside every corner of the
malls. These diverse views are but natural for anyone to think freely of what he
thinks malls may elicit or yield to someone's life.

The downside though of the mushrooming of shopping malls is the

worsening traffic jams as a consequence of many people these malls are drawing,
notwithstanding, some pick-pockets doing their "trade. Police visibility or
reinforcement of security guards will resolve peace and order related problems
inside and around the malls.

While malls are direct proofs of a great leap on society's material culture
or artifacts, there could likewise be some changes along people's value system or
mentifacts.

ACTIVITY

A. Fill in the Blanks

1. It is a function of language that tells something about something. __________

2. When a cultural element 1S passed on from one generation to the next, culture
is said to be ________________
3. A kind of culture which is characterized by man's domination over
woman.______________________

4. One's own culture is superior to outside/ foreign culture ___________

5. A person who experiences culture an opposite or entirely distinct culture from

his own is said to experience __________________

6. Many Filipino traits or values may either have a positive or negative

significance are said to be ___________________

7. Every human person 1s made equal by nature yet made unequal by ________

8. Animals do not have culture because culture requires the faculty of ________

9. Close family ties is one Filipino value whose negative interpretation may lead
to a form of corruption called ____________

10. Cultural ___________ refers to a change or difference of a certain cultural

element from one place to another, form one time to another or from one person
to another

B. Multiple Choice: Encircle the letters of the correct answers.

1. Filipino time is associated with

a. Scarcity b. Punctuality c. Tardiness d. Absenteeism

2. The process of adjusting oneself to a foreign culture by learning its language,

customs and traditions, among others.

a. Cultural diffusion b. Cultural diversity c. Cultural lag d. Inculturation

3. Culture is not inherent or natural and therefore it is

a. Dynamic b. Diverse c. Acquired d. Rational

4. When you tell someone to do a particular act, the function of language refers
to a. Directive b. Expressive c. Complex d. Logical

5. Avoiding or engaging in sexual relationship outside marriage is an example of

a. Folkways b. Taboo c. Law d. Mores

C. ESSAY. 20 Points Each.

10 points – substance/ content

10 points – form / clarity of expression/grammar

1. Why is culture inseparable to society and vice versa?

2. How important is language to culture?

* * * QUARTER EXAMINATION * * *