POINTERS (UCSP)

LESSON 1: I. Starting points for the understanding of culture, society, and

politics

Culture, society, and politics are concepts. They exist in the realm of ideas and thoughts. As
such, they cannot be seen or touched, and yet the way we see and experience our individual
and collective lives as social beings. Concepts are created and have been used to have a firm grip
on the phenomenon.

Human Cultural Variation refers to the diverse ways in which human societies express their
values, beliefs, practices, and traditions.

Social Differences refer to the variations in how individuals and groups are treated and interact
within societies. These differences can manifest in numerous ways, influencing people's
opportunities, experiences, and life outcomes.

Social Change refers to significant alterations in the social structures, cultural norms, values, and
practices within a society over time. It can affect various aspects of life, including political
systems, economic structures, and social relationships.

Identity Politics refers to political approaches and movements that prioritize the interests and
perspectives of specific social groups defined by attributes such as race, gender, sexual
orientation, ethnicity, religion, or other identity markers.

Anthropology as Discipline
- The study of human kind, which examines people in viewpoints going from the science and
transformative history of Homo sapiens to the provisions of society and culture that
unequivocally recognize people from other creature species.

Sociology as Discipline
- It is the study of society, social institutions, and social relationships. It explores how social
structures, interactions, and processes shape human behavior, culture, and societal
development.

Political Science as Discipline

- is the study of politics, government systems, and political behavior. It seeks to understand how
political power and influence are distributed and exercised, how political decisions are made,
and how political institutions and processes shape societies.

II. Analyze the Concept, Aspects, Changes In/Of Culture and Society

Nation-State
 is a sovereign state whose citizens or subjects have common culture. They speak the same
language, have a common descent, and a common history. Having with common culture, the
nation-state therefore, is a major component of personal identity.
  Personal Identity is the concept you develop about yourself that evolves over the course of your
life.

THREE ELEMENTS OF IDENTITY

 Morals are the fundamental beliefs established from the value systems of how we should act in
any certain condition.
 Values what we learned from childhood; the behavior from their parents and environments.
 Ethics, on the other hand, are the rules Filipinos actually do and act in the aspect of complicated
situations that check their moral character of right and wrong.

- According to David Bohm, each individual already contains the whole information field of
society. It is the whole information field, but each individual contains that information field in
his own way.

- Environmental Determinism
People were shaped according to the geographical features.

CULTURE
As defined by Edward B. Taylor, culture refers to that complex whole which includes
knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, laws, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by
mass as a member of society.

SOCIETY
Society is formally defined as constituting a fairly large number of people who are living
in the same territory, are relatively independent of people outside their area, and participate in
a culture. The definition simply means that society only exists if there are people interacting
and their interactions constitute the process that defines society.

III. CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE

 CULTURE IS LEARNED
Culture is primarily learned through socialization processes within a society or group. It
is passed down from generation to generation through observation, instruction, and imitation.

 CULTURE IS SHARED
Culture is shared among members of a group or society. It provides a common
framework of understanding and behavior that binds individuals together.

 CULTURE IS SYMBOLIC
Culture is often expressed through symbols, which can be tangible (e.g., artifacts,
clothing, architecture) or intangible (e.g., language, gestures, rituals). Symbols convey meaning
and serve as a way to represent and communicate cultural values, beliefs, and identities.

 CULTURE IS DYNAMIC AND ADAPTIVE

Culture is not static but constantly evolving and adapting to new circumstances,
influences, and interactions. Changes in technology, globalization, migration, social movements,
and other factors can lead to cultural transformations over time.

 CULTURE IS DYNAMIC INTERACTION WITH ENVIRONMENT

 Culture is shaped by interactions between people and their environment. Environmental
factors such as geography, climate, resources, and ecology influence cultural practices,
adaptations, and innovations.

 CULTURE IS INTEGRATED AND PATTERNED

Culture is integrated, meaning its various components (e.g., beliefs, behaviors, institutions)
are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Cultural patterns refer to the regularities or typical
ways in which cultural elements are organized and expressed within a society.

 CULTURE IS MALADAPTIVE
Maladaptive behaviors are actions that prevent people from adapting, adjusting, or
participating in different aspects of life.

CULTURAL VALUES, NORMS, AND BELIEFS

Values refer to the core beliefs and principles that guide and motivate our attitudes and actions.
They are fundamental to who we are as individuals and influence our decisions, behaviors, and
interactions with others.
Beliefs are ideas or convictions that individuals hold to be true, often based on personal
experiences, upbringing, cultural influences, and interpretations of information.
Norms are societal or cultural rules or expectations for behavior within a specific group,
community, or society. They define what is considered acceptable, appropriate, or desirable behavior in
various situations.

IV. CULTURAL FORMS AND THREATS

Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage

TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
 It includes all material objects
 tangible heritage provides the physical space for the non-physical expressions of culture.

INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

 The other form of culture is non-material or intangible.

Both the tangible and intangible forms of culture, according to the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), are considered as “cultural heritage”.

CULTURAL THREATS

 Globalization
While globalization can promote cultural exchange, it can also lead to cultural
homogenization. Smaller or less dominant cultures may be overshadowed by more dominant
ones, risking the erosion of unique cultural identities and traditions.

 Colonialism and Imperialism

 Historical and ongoing colonial practices often disrupt and suppress indigenous cultures,
leading to loss of languages, traditions, and social structures. The impact of such practices can
be long-lasting and deeply damaging.

 Cultural Appropriation
This occurs when elements of one culture are taken out of context and used by another culture,
often without proper respect or understanding. This can lead to exploitation and
misrepresentation of the original culture.

 Technological Change
Rapid technological advancements can alter cultural practices and social interactions.
For example, the rise of social media and digital communication can change how cultural values
and norms are transmitted and maintained.

 Economic Pressures
Economic factors can influence cultural practices, particularly in cases where local
industries are replaced by global corporations or when traditional livelihoods are undermined by
economic shifts. Ex. Commercialization of Traditions and Urbanization

 Political and Social Conflicts

War, political instability, and social upheaval can threaten cultural heritage by
destroying historical sites, disrupting cultural practices, and displacing communities.

 Environmental Changes
Climate change and environmental degradation can impact cultural practices tied to the
land and natural resources. For example, traditional agricultural practices may become
unsustainable due to changing weather patterns.

 Loss of Language
Language is a crucial component of cultural identity. The extinction of languages, often
due to globalization and assimilation pressures, can lead to the loss of cultural knowledge and
traditions.

LESSON 2: BECOMING MEMBER OF SOCIETY

CHUNK 1: Enculturation and Socialization

● Self is a product of social process. It emerges from social interaction such as socialization and
enculturation.
● Socialization refers to a lifelong social experience by which people develop their human
potential and learn culture.

SOCIALIZATION
 Process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors of their
society through interactions with others.
ENCULTURATION

Socialization covers the general process of learning to live in society, enculturation focuses specifically
on the adoption of cultural norms and practices. Enculturation can be seen as a component of the
broader socialization process, with a specific emphasis on cultural transmission. They are both are
intertwined processes that involve the acquisition of cultural knowledge, values, and behaviors.
These two concepts are important in the development of oneself which includes the following key
terms: identity, values, role, norms, role manipulation, values formation and impression management.