OVERVIEW

For the Learners

As the title implies, the book entitled “Understanding Culture,

Society and Politics” focuses on the development of essential life skills
skills in Understanding Culture, Society and Politics particularly in The
Nature and Goals of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science and
the Perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science. As a
Senior High School learner, you have to deal with a variety of learning
skills in your daily life.

With this, it helps you face the rigors of the curriculum aligned
with the K to 12 features. The primary goal of this module is not only to
further enhance your skills, but more importantly to ensure that you are
able to use these skills to develop your capacity to think critically and
logically.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

Over view 1

Table of contents 2

Course guide 3-5

Pretest 6-7

Module 1 lesson 1 8

Activity 1 9

Activity 2 9-10

Activity 3 10

Activity 4 11

Self-check 12

Lesson 2 13-14

Activity 1 14

Activity 2 14

Activity 3 14-15

Activity 4 15

Post-test 15

Pretest 16-17

Module 2 lesson 1 17-18

Activity 1 18

Activity 2 18-19

Activity 3 19

Lesson 2 20

Activity 1 21

Activity 2 21

Activity 3 21

Activity 4 22

Post test 22

Self-check 22-23

Distance Learning Date Developed : August, 2020

Material on
Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics School Year: 2020-2021
 3

COURSE DESIGN

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND

SUBJECT TITLE:
POLITICS

NOMINAL DURATION: 80 HOURS/SEMESTER

SUBJECT This course uses insights from Anthropology,

DESCRIPTION: Political Science, and Sociology to develop
students’ awareness of cultural, social and
political dynamics, and sensitivity to cultural
diversity; provide them with an
understanding of how culture, human
agency, society and politics work; and engage
them in the examination of the country’s
current human development goals. At the
end of the course, students should acquire
ideas about human cultures, human agency,
society and politics; recognize cultural
relativism and social inclusiveness to
overcome prejudices; and develop social and
cultural competence to guide their
interactions with groups, communities,
networks, and institutions.

STUDENT ENTRY Student must possess the following

REQUIREMENTS: qualifications, must be:
 Able to communicate both oral and
written.
 Physically and mentally fit.
 With good moral character.
 Analytical and logical thinking.

Distance Learning Date Developed : August, 2020

Material on
Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics School Year: 2020-2021
 4

COURSE STRUCTURE:

Unit of Nominal
Learning Outcomes
Competency Duration
1. Discuss the  Acknowledge human cultural
nature, goals variation, social differences, social
and change, and political identities
perspectives  Adopt an open and critical attitude
toward different, social, political,
2 hours
and cultural phenomena through
observation and reflection
 Appreciate the value of disciplines of
Anthropology, Sociology, and
Political Science as social sciences
2. Analyze the  Appreciate the nature of culture and
concept, society from the perspective of
2 hours
aspects and anthropology and sociology
changes
3. Explain the  Demonstrate a holistic
importance pf understanding of culture and society
cultural  Values cultural heritage and express
relativism in pride of place without being 2 hours
attaining ethnocentric
cultural
understanding
4. Analyze the  Analyze key features of
significance of interrelationship of biological,
cultural, social, cultural and sociopolitical processes
political and in human evolution 6 hours
economic
symbols and
practices

Learners are required to:

1. Read and understand the instructions properly;

2. Write your answers in your notebook;
3. Answer the pretest prior to the lesson proper;
4. Take note of the terminologies (mark and labeled as bold) cited
relevant to the study of Social Sciences;
5. Self–check and compare your answers against the key answer
found at the end of this module;
6. Perform critically the activities instructed in this module; and
7. Answer the given assessment test after thorough study of the
lesso

Distance Learning Date Developed : August, 2020

Material on
Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics School Year: 2020-2021
 5

LET’S TRY!
(Pretest)

This activity will enable you to assess your prior knowledge from the
topic that will be discussed in this lesson.

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write your answer in
your activity notebook.
1. It defines how people relate to nature and their physical
environment.
A. Politics B. Anthropology
C. Culture D. Sociology
2. It always describes human, human behaviour and human societies
around the world.
A. Sociology B. Anthropology
C. Political Science D. Culture
3. It is a social science that deals with humans and their interactions.
A. Sociology B. Anthropology
C. Political Science D. Culture
4. It is the study of human social relationships and institutions.
A. Politics B. Anthropology
C. Culture D. Sociology
5. It is a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed
in some person or thing.
A. Beliefs B. Customs
C. Traditions D. Norms
6. This term means scientific study of man or human beings.
A. Politics B. Anthropology
C. Culture D. Sociology
7. It refers to a theoretical foundation of contemporary anthropology.
A. Nature of politics
C. Nature of culture
B. Nature of anthropology
D. Nature of sociology
 6

8. It attempts to explain how the social world operates.

A. Political theory
C. Anthropological theory
B. Sociological theory
D. Cultural theory

9. It is used to analyze and explain objects of social study, and

facilitate organizing sociological knowledge.
A. Theoretical perspective
C. Cultural perspective
B. Conflict perspective
D. Functionalist perspective

10. It sees social life as a competition, and focuses on the distribution

of resources, power, and inequality.
A. Theoretical perspective
C. Cultural perspective
B. Conflict perspective
D. Functionalist perspective

MODULE NO. 1
Lesson 1
The Nature and Goals of Anthropology, Sociology
and Political Science (UCSP11/12SPUIb -5)

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. identify the nature of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science;
2. explain the goals of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science;
3. appreciate the value of disciplines of Anthropology, Sociology and
Political Science as social sciences.

Introduction
Here are things to learn about the nature and goals of Anthropology,
Sociology and Political Science.
 7

➢ The nature of culture refers to a theoretical foundation of

contemporary anthropology.
➢ It has been observed that the terms "nature" and "culture" that can
not necessarily be translated into non-western languages.

Anthropology relates to sociology, it always describes human,

human behavior and human societies around the world. It is a
comparative science that examines all societies.The term anthropology
means scientific study of man or human beings.
Sociology is the study of human social relationships and
institutions. Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to
religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social
class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability
to radical change in whole societies. The purpose of sociology is to
understand how human action and consciousness both shape and are
shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures.
Political Science is a social science that deals with humans and
their interactions. It is a branch of sociology; it essentially deals with the
large-scale actions of humans, and group mentality.

Activity 1. List it Down

I. Write at least 5 activities that manifest the nature and goals of
Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science.
 ______________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________
II. Reflection:
Write a reflective essay that correspond to the following questions:

• What have you learned on the activity?

• How do you relate this nature to your daily life?
(Minimum of 3 sentences and a maximum of 5 sentences.)
Activity 2. Lets check for understanding
List down the most dominant facts about the nature and goals of
Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science.
 ______________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________
 8

Reflection:
Write a reflective essay that correspond to the following questions:
• What have you learned on the activity?
• What are the important details you find out about the topic?
• Do you find it helpful to know about the details of the topic?

(Minimum of 3 sentences and a maximum of 5 sentences)

Activity 3. Matching type

Match column A with column B in order to identify the term or

word being describe.

1. Scientific study of man or human

beings.

2. Study of human social

relationships and institutions.

3. A social science that deals with

humans and their interactions.

4. Consists of beliefs, behaviours,

objects, and other characteristics
common to the members of a
particular group or society.

5. A state or habit of mind in which

trust or confidence is placed in

A. Beliefs
B. Sociology
C. Anthropology
D. Political sciences
E. Culture
 9

Activity 4. Let’s reflect

In an essay write all the learning's and realizations that you’ve
learned throughout the discussion.

I LEARNED THAT…

Cultural anthropology studies, human societies and elements of

cultural life. An example of cultural anthropology is the Linguistic
anthropology which focuses on language in a certain society. The goal of
studying anthropology is to understand the origin human evolution and
the diverse forms of its existence throughout time.
Sociology is a social science; it belongs to the family of social
sciences. As a social science, focuses its aspects on man, his social
manners, social activities and social life. The goal of sociology is to help
you understand how human action and consciousness both shape and
are shaped by the surrounding cultural and social structures.
Political science is a social science, it is a discipline that deals with
several aspects such as the study of state and government. It deals with
the nature and formation of the state and attempts to understand its
forms and functions. The goal of Political Science is to constantly deepen
the knowledge, discover progress and protect the quality of life within a
group, community, country, and the world. Thus, it is the study of power
relationships and competing interests among states around the
world.(Hudelson, Patricia M. “Culture and quality: an anthropological
perspective” International Journal for Quality in Health Care, Volume 16,
Issue 5, October 2004, Pages)
 10

SELF- CHECK 1-1

A. True or False: Read carefully each statement below. Place T on the

line if the statement is TRUE. Place F if the statement is FALSE.

1. The term anthropology means scientific study of man or human

beings.
2. Political science is the study of human social relationships and
institutions.
3. Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion,
from the family to the state from the divisions of race and social class to
the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to
radical change in the whole societies.
4. Sociology is a social science that deals with humans and their
interactions.
5. Political science does not essentially deals with the large scale actions
of humans, and group mentality.
6. The purpose of sociology is to understand how human action and
consciousness both shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and
social structures.
7. Sociology it is a comparative science that examines all societies.
8. Sociology’s subject matter is diverse.
9. It is not the purpose of sociology to understand how human action
and consciousness both shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural
and social structures.
10. Anthropology comprehend the entire human experience.

Lesson 2
Perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science
(UCSPC11DCS Ic6)

Anthropological perspectives are culture, cultural relativism,

fieldwork, human diversity, holism, bio-cultural focus. The four main
perspectives of Anthropology are the cross-cultural or comparative
emphasis, its evolutionary/historical emphasis, its ecological emphasis,
and its holistic emphasis (Dudgeon). An example for this is the analysis
 11

and solutions of the different aspects of the society such as the

environment issues of pollution, the issues on health and medicine and
other issues related to the human activities.
Sociological perspective introduces the discipline of sociology,
including something about its history, questions, theory, and scientific
methods, and what distinguishes it from other social science disciplines.
Central features include social interaction and relationships, social
contexts, social structure, social change, the significance of diversity and
human variation, and the critical, questioning character of sociology. It
also explores what sociologists do.
Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives:
1. the functionalist perspective;
2. the conflict perspective; and
3. the symbolic interaction perspective.
Theoretical perspective is used to analyse and explain objects of
social study, and facilitate organizing sociological knowledge. In
functionalist perspective, societies are thought to function like
organisms, with various social institutions working together like organs
to maintain and reproduce societies. The conflict perspective sees social
life as a competition, and focuses on the distribution of resources, power,
and inequality.
Political science perspective studies the tendencies and actions of
people which cannot be easily quantified or examined. Political science is
more focused than most social sciences. It sticks to the political arena
and to the realm of politics, either dealing with situations with two
competing sides or the lateral decisions that affect the group as a whole.
An example is the study of democracy as a form of government and why
is democracy considered as the best form of government.

Activity 1. Let’s check for understanding

I. Write down your perspective of anthropology, sociology and political
science. As many as you can.

Reflection:
II. Write a reflective essay that correspond to the following questions:

• What have you learned on the activity?

 12

• What are the importance of the activity?

• What do you think is the reason why you need to know about the
perspectives of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science.

(Minimum of 3 sentences and a maximum of 5 sentences)

Activity 2. Lets explain

Write down the importance of knowing the perspective of the following:
• Anthropology
• Sociology
• Political Science

Activity 3. Let’s conceptualize

Give 1 perspective each (anthropology, sociology and political
science) with a given statement on how it was being applied in the
society.
 Anthropology-
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
.
 Sociology-
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
.

Political science-
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
.

Activity 4. Let’s reflect

Write down something you’ve had encounter in the past which
applies the given perspective.
 13

LET’S APPLY! (Post Test)

Directions: True or False. Analyze each statement. Write T If the

statement is true and write F if the statement is false. Write your answer
in your activity notebook.

________1. Culture is defined as how people relate to nature and their

physical environment.
________2. The term “Politics” means scientific study of man or human
beings.
________3. Theoretical perspective is used to analyse and explain objects
of social study, and facilitate organizing sociological
knowledge.
________4. Anthropology always describes human, human behaviour and
human societies around the world.
________5. Beliefs refer to the state or habit of mind in which trust or
confidence is placed in some person or thing.
________6. Cultural perspective sees social life as a competition, and
focuses on the distribution of resources, power, and
inequality.
________7. Sociology is the study of human social relationships and
institutions.
________8. Sociological theory attempts to explain how the social world
operates
________9. Political Science, social science that deals with humans and
their interactions.
________10.Nature of politics refers to a theoretical foundation of
contemporary anthropology.

LET’S TRY! (Pretest)

This activity will enable you to assess your prior knowledge from the
topic that will be discussed in this lesson.

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer in
your activity notebook.
 14

1. It is the ability to understand a culture on its own terms and not to

make judgments using the standards of one's own culture.
A. Sociological view
B. Culture
C. Cultural relativism
D. Society
2. It refers to a group or community which shares common experiences
that shapes the way its members understand the world.
A. Politics
B. Society
C. Political Science
D. Culture

3. It is anything that is used to stand for something else.

A. Symbols
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
4. Refers to a system of words and symbols used to communicate with
other people.
A. Symbols
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
5. It refers to valuable tools for exploring the past and using them to
understand the past.
A. Values
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
6. These are rules or expectations of behaviour and thoughts based on
shared beliefs within a specific cultural or social group.
A. Values
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
 15

7. Refers to all alterations affecting new traits or trait complexes and

changes in a cultures content and structure.
A. Cultural change
B. Social change
C. Political change
D. Sociological change
8. A variations or modifications in the patterns of social organization of
sub groups within society.
A. Cultural change
B. Social change
C. Political change
D. Sociological change
9. Cultural relativism teaches us that, marriage patterns are__________,
not objective truth.
A. Social option
B. Political option
C. Cultural option
D. Socio-cultural option
10. It is a person's principles or standards of behaviour.
A. Values
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language

MODULE NO. 2
Lesson 1
Analyse the Concept, Aspects and Changes of Culture and Society
(UCSP11/12DCSIc-8) Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. analyze the concept of culture and society; and
2. determine the aspects and changes of culture and society.

Introduction
 16

Culture refers to a group or community which shares common

experiences that shape the way its members understand the world. It
includes groups that we are born into, such as race, national origin,
gender, class, or religion. It can also include a group we join or become
part of.
• Culture is a strong part of people's lives. It influences their views,
values, humor, hopes, loyalties, worries and fears. It helps to have some
perspective and understanding of their cultures.
• Culture and society defined, 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.
• The major elements of culture are symbols, language, norms,
values, and artifacts.

1. A symbol is anything that is used to stand for something else.

People who share a culture often attach a specific meaning to an object,
gesture, sound, or image. For example, a cross is a significant symbol to
Christians. It is not simply two pieces of wood attached to each other,
nor is it just an old object of torture and execution. To Christians, it
represents the basis of their entire religion, and they have great
reverence for the symbol.
2. Language is a system of words and symbols used to communicate with
other people. This includes full languages as we usually think of them,
such as English, Spanish, French, etc. but, it also includes body
language, slang, and common phrases that are unique to certain groups
of people.
3. Systems of values are culturally defined standards for what is good or
desirable. Members of the culture use the shared system of values to
decide what is good and what is bad.

Activity 1. Let’s explain

Explain your opinion on the concept, aspects and changes of culture and
society.
 17

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
.
Activity 2. Picture it out
Draw something in the box that explains the concept, aspects and
changes of culture and society.

Activity 3. Let’s reflect

In an essay form write all the learning’s and realizations that you’ve
learned throughout the discussion.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

WHAT I LEARNED
Cultural artifact or artefact is a term used in the social sciences,
particularly anthropology, ethnology, and sociology for anything created
by humans which gives information about the culture of its creator and
users.
• Artifacts are such valuable tools for exploring the past and using
them to understand the past.
• Human values are essential in our life because they help us to
grow and develop. It is a person's standards of behaviour, principles and
own judgment. Some of the values, human treasures are honesty, love,
happiness, and integrity.
• Social and cultural norms are rules or expectations of behaviour
and thoughts based on shared beliefs within a specific cultural or social
group.
 18

• Social change - variations or modifications in the patterns of

social organization of sub groups within society • Cultural change -
refers to all alterations affecting new traits or trait complexes and
changes in a cultures content and structure.

Lesson 2
Explain the Importance of Cultural Relativism in Attaining Cultural
Understanding.
(UCSP11/12DCSId-10)

Cultural relativism is the ability to understand a culture on its own

terms and not to make judgments using the standards of one's own
culture.
The goal of this is to promote understanding of cultural practices
that are not typically part of one's own culture.
Cultural Relativism is important to anthropology and one of the
things that makes anthropology unique because it is a tool, a method for
attempting to see things from a multiplicity of viewpoints so as to better
understand them.
Cultural Relativism does not mean that anything a culture does is
good or moral. This is one of the ones that confuse people.
Cultural relativism teaches us that, marriage patterns are cultural
options, not objective truth.
Cultural Relativism doesn’t mean that cultures can’t be compared.
There is sometimes a strange notion that there are no commonalities
between cultures.
This is one of the reasons why those trained in cultural
anthropology are often great problem solvers for complex issues.

Activity 1.
List down the importance of cultural relativism in attaining
cultural understanding. Bellow the paper, explain why do you think it is
important?

Activity 2. Let’s reflect

Cite all your realizations throughout the discussion of cultural
relativism.
 19

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Activity 3. Picture it out

Draw a poster inside the box that pictures the importance of cultural
relativism in attaining cultural understanding. Then explain your
drawing in 3 sentences below the box.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4. Let’s explain

What do you think is the main role of cultural relativism in our
society?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
POST TEST

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer in
your activity notebook.
1. It refers to all alterations affecting new traits or trait complexes and
changes in a cultures content and structure.
A. Cultural change
B. Social change
C. Political change
D. Sociological change
2. It refers to valuable tools for exploring the past and using them to
understand the past.
 20

A. Values
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
3. It is the ability to understand a culture on its own terms and not to
make judgments using the standards of one's own culture.
A. Sociological view
B. Culture
C. Cultural relativism
D. Society
4. These are rules or expectations of behaviour and thoughts based on
shared beliefs within a specific cultural or social group.
A. Values
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
5. Cultural relativism teaches us that, marriage patterns are__________,
not objective truth.
A. Social option
B. Political option
C. Cultural option
D. Socio-cultural option
6. It is a person's principles or standards of behaviour.
A. Values
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
7. It refers to a group or community which shares common experiences
that shape the way its members understand the world.
A. Politics
B. Society
C. Political Science
D. Culture
8. Refers to a system of words and symbols used to communicate with
other people.
A. Symbols
B. Norms
 21

C. Artifacts
D. Language
9. It is anything that is used to stand for something else.
A. Symbols
B. Norms
C. Artifacts
D. Language
10. It is a variations or modifications in the patterns of social
organization of sub groups within society.
A. Cultural change
B. Social change
C. Political change
D. Sociological change

SELF- CHECK 1-1

A. True or False: Read carefully each statement below. Place T on the

line if the statement is TRUE. Place F if the statement is FALSE.
1. Cultural relativism teaches us that, marriage pattern are objective
truth, not cultural options.
2. Cultural Relativism is important to anthropology and one of the
things that makes anthropology unique because it is a tool, a method
for attempting to see things from a multiplicity of viewpoints so as to
better understand them.
3. Cultural relativism cannot be used to evaluate other cultures based
on the ideas you believe in.
4. Cultural Relativism doesn’t mean that cultures can’t be compared.
5. Culture helps us to have some perspective and misunderstanding of
their cultures.
6. Culture does not include groups that we are born into, such as race,
national origin, gender, class, or religion. It can also include a group
we join or become part of.
 22

7. Culture does not include groups that we are born into, such as race,
national origin, gender, class, or religion.
8. Cultural Relativism does mean that anything a culture does is good
or moral. This is one of the ones that confuse people.
9. The manor elements of culture are symbols, language, norms, values,
and artifacts.
10. Through culture, people and groups define themselves, conform to
society’s shared values, and contribute to society
23