Understanding

Culture, Society and

Politics
 Week 2

Concept, Aspects, and

Changes in Culture and
Society
 OBJECTIVES:

 (Further) Define society and culture;

 Discuss the society and culture as a whole;
 Identify the different characteristics of culture;
 Analyze each element of culture.
 SOCIETY

 Society,
in general, is defined as a group of people living
together in organized communities, following common
laws, values, customs, and traditions. The term was first
used in mid-16th century, originating from the Latin
words socius and societas, which mean “companion”
and from the French term societe, meaning
“companionship.”
 SOCIETY
Every human being belongs to a certain kind
of society – including you, for instance. From the
moment you were born, you inevitably become a
part of a society, with your family as your first
encounter in this complex group.
 CULTURE

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.
 CULTURE

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

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.
 CULTURE and SOCIETY as a COMPLEX WHOLE

 Edward Tylor, one of the founders of modern anthropology,

characterize culture as a “complex whole” which encompasses
beliefs, practices, traits, values, attitudes, laws, norms, artifacts,
symbols, knowledge and everything that a person learns and shares
as a member of the society. The “complex whole” above suggests that
culture cannot be simply broken down into a set of characteristics. It
means that an understanding of a part can only be achieved in
relation to other parts of the system.
ACTIVITY : Pair-share
Instructions: Read and answer the question.

Which comes first, society or

culture?
Support your answer.
While it's difficult to pinpoint a strict chronological
order, culture is often seen as preceding society
in the sense that it provides the values, norms,
and practices that shape how societies are formed
and organized.
However, once societies exist, they can also
influence and modify culture, leading to an
ongoing and interactive relationship between the
two.
A society cannot exist apart from culture.

No culture can exist without social

interaction in society; meanwhile, society
cannot exist in the absence of people
who have learned to live and work
together.
 The major elements of culture are:

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.
 The major elements of culture are:

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.
 The major elements of culture are:

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.
 The major elements of culture are:

4. Norms are expectations or rules of behavior that develop

out of a group’s values.

Social norms are the unspoken rules that govern how

people interact with each other. They can vary from culture
to culture, and even from group to group within a culture.
 Ex. Of Social Norms for Students

1) Arrive to class on time and prepared.

2) Pay attention and take notes.
3) Stay quiet when other students are working.
4) Raise your hand if you have a question.
5) Do your homework and turn it in on time.
6) Respect your teachers and classmates.
7) Follow the school’s rules and regulations.
 Ex. Of Social Norms for Students

8) Use appropriate language and behavior.

9) Ask permission to be excused if you need to go to the
bathroom.
10) Go to the bathroom before class begins.
11) 13) Do not plagiarize or cheat.
12) Wait your turn to speak.
13) Ask permission to use other people’s supplies.
 CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE

1. Culture is social because it is the product of

behavior. Culture does not exist in isolation. It is
a product of society. It develops through social
interaction. No man can acquire culture without
association with others.
 CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE

2. Culture varies from society to society. Every society

has a culture of its own that differs from other
societies. The culture of every society is unique by
itself. Cultures are not uniform. Cultural elements like
customs, traditions, morals, values, and beliefs are not
constant.
 CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE

3. Culture is shared. Culture is not something that

an individual alone can possess. Culture, in
sociological sense, is shared. For example, people
of a society share all customs, traditions, beliefs,
ideas, values, morals, etc.
 CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE

4. Culture is not inborn. It is learned. Unlearned behavior

then, is not culture. Shaking hands, saying thanks, etc. are
cultural behaviors. Not all behaviors are learned, but most of
these can be. Combing hair, standing in line, telling jokes,
criticizing the president, and going to movies all constitute
behaviors that need to be learned.
 CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE

5. Culture is transmitted among members of society. Cultural ways

are learned by people from others. Many of these ways are handed
down from elders, parents, teachers, and others (most likely
individuals of older generation), while other cultural behaviors are
handed up to elders. Transmission of culture is made possible by
language. Language is the main vehicle of culture. Transmission of
culture may take place also through imitation as well as through
instruction.
 CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE

6. Culture exists as a continuous process. In its historical

growth, it tends to become cumulative. Ralph Linton
called culture “the social heritage” of man. No culture
ever remains constant or permanent. It is subject to slow
but constant variation. Likewise, culture is responsive to
the changing conditions of the physical world; hence, it is
dynamic.
 CHARACTERISTICS of CULTURE

7. Culture is gratifying and idealistic. Culture provides

proper opportunities for the satisfaction of our needs and
desires. Our needs, both biological and social, are fulfilled
in cultural ways. Culture consists of the intellectual, artistic,
and social ideals, and institutions where members of the
society profess and strive to confirm.
GROUP ACTIVITY : Pick out the words related to the
study of society and culture.
 PERFORMANCE TASK 2

Make a comic strip highlighting the

different concepts, aspects and
changes in society and culture. Let
the title of your comics be:
“Then and Now”.
 PERFORMANCE TASK 2

Make a comic strip highlighting the different concepts,

aspects and changes in society and culture. Let the title of
your comics be: “Then and Now”.
1. Work as an individual or in a group with five (5)
members. You may choose your own group mates.
 PERFORMANCE TASK 2

2. Make a comic strip of (6) panels. What is a panel? A

panel is an individual frame in a comic strip or book.
3. You can use either the English or Tagalog language for
the caption.
4. Use of digital applications is allowed.
Category Description

Coverage of the Topic (10 points) Details on the drawing/picture capture the
important information about the topic and

increase the audience’s understanding.

Use of Graphics (3 points) All graphics are related to the topic and make it
easier to understand.

Organization (2 points) Information is very organized with clear titles

and subheadings.