SHS
Understanding
Culture, Society,
and Politics
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Nature and Goals of
Anthropology, Sociology, and
Political Science
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Nature and Goals of Anthropology, Sociology, and Political
Science
First Edition, 2020
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work
of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or
office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit.
Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of
royalties.
Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from
their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim
ownership over them.
Published by the Department of Education
Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
Development Team of the Module
Writers: Desiree R. Victorino
Evaluator: Dionesio B. Lacerna, Jr.,
Language Editor: Delio A. Lapore, PhD
Illustrator: Desiree R. Victorino
Layout Artist: Vanessa T. Ramo
Management Team: Reynaldo S. Guillena
Emma A. Camporedondo
Basilio P. Mana-ay, Jr.
Alma C. Cifra
Aris B. Juanillo
Amelia S. Lacerna
Printed in the Philippines by _________________________________________________
Department of Education – Davao City Division, Region XI
Office Address: Elpidio Quirino Ave., Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur
Telefax: (082) 224-3274, (082) 222-1672
E-mail Address: davao.city@deped.gov.ph
SHS
Understanding
Culture, Society,
and Politics
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Nature and Goals of
Anthropology, Sociology, and
Political Science
1
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Grade 12 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Nature and Goals of Anthropology,
Sociology and Political Science!
This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed by
educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or
facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum
while overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also
aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:
Notes to the Teacher
This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them
to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and
assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:
Welcome to the Grade 12 Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics
Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Nature and Goals of Anthropology,
Sociology, and Political Science!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an
active learner.
2
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:
What I Need to Know
This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.
What I Know
This part includes an activity that aims to
check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
What’s In
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
the current lesson with the previous one.
What’s New
In this portion, the new lesson will be
introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.
What is It
This section provides a brief discussion of
the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.
What’s More
This comprises activities for independent
practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
What I Have Learned
This
includes
questions
or
blank
sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.
What I Can Do
This section provides an activity which will
help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.
Assessment
This is a task which aims to evaluate your
level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.
Additional Activities
In this portion, another activity will be given
to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.
Answer Key
This contains answers to all activities in the
module.
3
At the end of this module you will also find:
References
This is a list of all sources used in
developing this module.
The following are some reminders in using this module:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not
alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!
4
What I Need to Know
Great day to you dear Grade 12 learner! In this module, you will learn the
nature and goals of anthropology, sociology and political science.
You may be able to acknowledge human cultural variation, social
differences, social change and political identities. You will also be able to adopt an
open and critical attitude toward different social, political, and cultural phenomena
through observation and reflection. You will be able to appreciate the value of
disciplines of Anthropology, Sociology and Political Science as Social Science. You
may find significant learning experiences from this module. Let’s start the fun and
learning now!
The module is divided into five lessons, namely:
•
•
•
Lesson 1 – Articulation of Cultural variation, Social Difference, and Political
Identities
Lesson 2 – Dynamism of Cultural, Social, and Political Change
Lesson 3 – Intersections Inquiry and Importance of Anthropology, Sociology,
and Political Science
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. articulate observations on human cultural variation, social differences,
social change, and political identities;
2. demonstrate curiosity and an openness to explore the origins and dynamics
of culture and society, and political identities;
3. analyze social, political, and cultural change;
4. recognize the common concerns or intersections of anthropology, sociology,
and political science with respect to the phenomenon of change; and
5. identify the subjects of inquiry and goals of Anthropology, Sociology, and
Political Science.
What I Know
Instructions: Complete the missing letters to form a word that describe from three
clue words. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1.
pray
R _ _ I _ IO _
Bible
conviction
2.
racial
5
_ THN_ _ _ TY
tribal
folk
3.
belief
TR _ DI _ _ _ _
art
Lesson
_ AT _ _ _ ALI _ Y
citizenship
custom conventional
5.
1
4.
nation
race
CU _ T _ R _
way of life
heritage
Articulation of Cultural
Variation, Social Differences
and Political Identities
“Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one
another's uniqueness”, quoted by Ola Joseph (2003). What makes us different?
Why we have to understand our differences? In this lesson, you will be able to
articulate observations on human cultural variation, social differences, social
change, and political identities.
What’s In
Activity: Where it fits?
Instructions: Choose the word in the box which serves as best examples of
cultural variations and social differences. Write your answers on a separate sheet
of paper.
6
gender
exceptionality
socio-economic status
nationality
ethnicity
religion
A. Cultural variations refer to the differences in social behaviors that different
cultures exhibit around the world.
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. __________________________________________
B. Social differences are the differences among the individuals on the basis of social
characteristics and qualities.
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. __________________________________________
Notes to the Teacher
Explain the concept of cultural variation and social differences. Learners
reflect their experiences, connect on how they respond effectively to the
world in which they live in, interconnect in which one society’s problems,
as well respond in ways that benefit our own lives and that of others.
What’s New
Question: Do you believe that people who are differently abled and underprivileged
are still able to contribute to society? Explain your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
7
What is It
Cultural Variations refer to the differences in social behaviors that different
cultures exhibit around the world.
1. Religion comes from ‘religare’ a Latin word means ‘to bind together’. It is
a system of beliefs and practices as well as systems of actions directed
toward entities which are above men. It is an organized system of ideas
about the spiritual sphere or the supernatural.
2. Ethnicity is the expression of the set of cultural ideas held by a distinct
ethics or indigenous group.
3. Nationality is the legal relationship that binds a person and a country. It
allows the state to protect and have jurisdiction over a person.
Social Differences are the differences among the individuals on the basis of social
characteristics and qualities.
1. Gender is the socially-constructed characteristics of being male or
female. It serves as guide on how males and females think and act about
themselves.
2. Socio-economic Status refers to the category of persons who have more
or less the same socio-economic privileges: These are Upper class, Middle
class, and Lower class.
3. Exceptionality refers to the state of being intellectually gifted and/or
having physically or mentally challenged conditions.
a. Personality/ behavior
b. Communication (learning disability, speech impairment, and hearing
problems)
c. Intellect (mild intellectual & mental development disabilities)
d. Physical appearance (blind-low vision)
e. Or a combination of more than one specific exceptionality/disability.
Variation within Cultures:
1. Subculture is a segment of society which shares a distinctive pattern of
mores, folkways, and values which differ from the pattern of larger society.
These are groups that have specific cultural traits that set them apart from
the dominant culture.
2. Counter Culture is a group whose values and norms place it at odds with
mainstream society or a group that actively rejects dominant cultural values
and norms. In most Western countries, the 1960s saw the rise of different
countercultural groups and social movements that sought to dismantle the
different inequalities that were then part of the dominant culture, such as
racism (Civil Rights movement), sexism (modern Feminist movement) and
homophobia (Gay rights movement).
8
3. High Culture/ Popular Culture are different variations in culture. High
culture" is a term now used in a number of different ways in academic
discourse most common meaning is the set of cultural products, mainly in
the arts, held in the highest esteem by a culture. “Popular culture” is a
culture based on the tastes of ordinary people rather than an educated elite.
Political Identity is almost always associated with a group affiliation and
describes the ways in which being a member of a particular group might express
specific political opinions and attitudes. Various factors can construct an identity,
including race, nationality, where a person lives and a person's gender and
sexuality:
1. Partisan Politics
Political identity frequently refers to a specific political party affiliation or
partisan identity. For many voters, belonging to a political party is not
simply a voting decision. In the U.S., being a Democrat or a Republican is an
important expression of a person's views on life; partisan affiliation signifies
membership in a group that defines a worldview and a core set of common
values. As political parties benefit from political identity of this kind, since it
makes for very loyal and reliable voters, parties seek to cultivate partisan
loyalty among their members.
2. Race and Identity
Political identity can also be shaped by race. For example, in the U.S., prior
to the passage of the13th Amendment, race determined whether a human
being could legally be another's property. Until the dismantlement of legal
segregation in the 1950s and ‘60s, race often determined whether citizens
could vote, with whom they could associate, where they went to school and
other fundamental aspects of life. Moreover, between 1924 and 1965, race
determined who was and was not eligible to immigrate to the United States.
3. Class and Identity
Another possible factor that shapes political identity can be economic class.
Peoples’ interests, outlook and life prospects are frequently conditioned by
their economic circumstances. For instance, factory workers may be very
different from one another in a variety of ways, yet they share a very basic
set of common experiences that comes from their shared condition as factory
workers. As workers, they have in common a set of interests, hardships and
goals. The same is true of hedge fund managers, farm laborers, nurses, high
school teachers and university professors.
4. Colonialism and Identity
Many colonial societies operated by distinguishing the identities of “native
subjects,” who enjoyed fewer rights and liberties from European “settlers.”
Sometimes this identity was race-based, such as in Belgian Rwanda. Often,
as in British India and French Algeria, colonists used their ideas of custom
and culture as a basis for distinguishing “the native” as a kind of political
identity and subject that required European governance.
9
What’s More
Instruction: Provide examples of each cultural variation that you can observe in
your community.
A. Subculture:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
B. Counter Culture:
3. __________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________
C. High Culture/ Popular Culture:
5. ___________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________
What I Have Learned
•
•
•
•
Cultural variations refer to the differences in social behaviors that different
cultures exhibit around the world. These are religion, ethnicity, and
nationality.
Social differences are the differences among the individuals on the basis of
social characteristics and qualities. These are gender, socio-economic status,
and exceptionality.
Variation within cultures is segmented into subcultures, counter culture,
high culture, and popular culture.
Political identity is almost always associated with a group affiliation and
describes the ways in which being a member of a particular group might
express specific political opinions and attitudes.
10
What I Can Do
Questions:
1. How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the socio-economic status of your
family?
2. What does political identity mean to you?
Assessment
Instruction: Choose the best answer from the words inside the box.
cultural variation
gender
social differences
counter culture
nationality
socio-economic status
ethnicity
subculture
exceptionality
religion
__________1. It refers to the differences among the individuals on the basis of social
characteristics and qualities.
__________2. It is a system of beliefs and practices as well as systems of actions
directed toward entities which are above men.
__________3. It is the expression of the set of cultural ideas held by a distinct ethics
or indigenous group.
__________4. It is the legal relationship that binds a person and a country.
__________5. It refers to the category of persons who have more or less the same
Socio-economic privileges.
__________6. It refers to the state of being intellectually gifted and/ or having
physically or mentally challenged conditions.
__________7. It is a segment of society which shares a distinctive pattern of mores,
folkways, and values which differ from the pattern of larger society.
__________8. It is a group whose values and norms place it at odds with mainstream
society or a group that actively rejects dominant cultural values and
11
norms.
__________9. It serves as a guide on how males and females think and act about
themselves.
__________10. It refers to the differences in social behaviors that different cultures
exhibit around the world.
Additional Activities
Expound by reflecting.
Question: Should “gender identity” be added to anti-discrimination laws? Explain.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
12
13
Subculture:
A. Cultural variation
1. Religion
2. Ethnicity
3. Nationality
What's More
What’s In
B. Social differences
1. Gender
2. Socio-economic status
3. Exceptionality
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Hippies
Goths
Biker gangs
Hiphop
Heavy metals
Counter culture:
a.
b.
c.
Civil rights
movement
Feminist movement
Gay rights
movement
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Social differences
Religion
Ethnicity
Nationality
Socio-economic
status
Exceptionality
Subculture
Counter culture
Gender
Cultural variation
High culture/ Popular
culture:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Popular music
Attend art exhibit
Cyber culture
Appreciation of
opera; gourmet;
foods; and wines,
etc.
Answer Key
Lesson
2
Dynamism of Cultural,
Social, and Political Change
Joel Charon, (2010) in his book entitled Ten Questions: A Sociological
Perspectives said that, “you and I exist in a social context where we are happen to
live and with whom we live will influence who we are, what we do, and what we
believe. This, in turn will make you and me different from each other. In this
lesson, you will be able to explain anthropological and sociological perspectives of
culture, society, and politics; acquire basic knowledge about origin, growth and
development of the social sciences, and demonstrate curiosity and openness to the
significance of the social sciences.
Change is inevitable. No society remains the same all throughout its history.
In this lesson, you will be able to cite and analyze the social, cultural, and political
change.
What’s In
Activity 1: Compare the culture of the Philippines and the USA in terms of the
language, religion, costume, and arts by using the chart below.
CULTURE
Language
Philippines
USA
Religion
Costume
Arts
Activity 2: Identify at least ten social, cultural, and political change in your
country in the past century.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
14
Notes to the Teacher
Explain the anthropological and sociological perspectives on culture,
society and politics. Learners explore their knowledge and connect on
how they respond effectively to the world in which they live and how to
respond in ways that benefit our own lives and that of others. Let the
learners demonstrate curiosity and openness to the significance of the
social sciences.
What’s New
Activity 3: Instructions: Complete the table by giving the significant contributions
of the following administrations to the different sectors of the country.
SECTOR
Estrada
Administration
Arroyo
Administration
Aquino
Administration
education
health
agriculture
justice
labor &
employment
Innovations are synthesis, refinements, new applications and reworking of
existing inventions, Ferrante (1995). Anthropologist Leslie White (1949) maintains
that the rate of change is tied to the size of the cultural base, the number of preexisting inventions. Innovations are significant in understanding and identifying
social change because they alter the way people think and relate to one another.
15
Question: How does innovation become an agent of social change in the context of
the Philippine society at present?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
What is It
Organizations differ from one another for three reasons:
1. interaction isolates and differentiates them;
2. their histories are unique; and
3. the problems with which their social patterns must deal are different and
this influences what patterns are in turn developed.
Anthropology is the study of humans and human behavior and societies in the
past and present. It is a wide-ranging, including, fossil remains, non-human
primate anatomy and behavior, artifacts from past cultures, past and present
languages, and all the prehistoric and contemporary cultures of the world.
Sociology is the scientific study of society, patterns of social relationships, social
interaction, and culture. It is the systematic interpretation of codes and conducts
in the form of language, symbols, face expressions, dress, food, music etc. used by
people in society.
The Birth of Social Sciences as a Response to the Social Turmoil of the Modern
Period:
Sociology:
1.
2.
3.
Auguste Comte, was a French philosopher. He was a founder of the
discipline of sociology and of the doctrine of positivism. He is sometimes
regarded as the first philosopher of science in the modern sense of the
term.
Harriet Martineau, one of the earliest Western sociologists, was born in
1802 in Norwich, England. Martineau was a self-taught expert in political
economic theory, and wrote prolifically about the relations between
politics, economics, morals, and social life throughout her career. Her
intellectual work was centered by a staunchly moral perspective that
stemmed from her Unitarian faith. She was fiercely critical of the
inequality and injustice faced by girls and women, slaves, wage slaves,
and the working.
Karl Marx, a philosopher, social scientist, historian and revolutionary,
Karl Marx, is without a doubt the most influential socialist thinker to
emerge in the 19th century. The Father of Modern Socialism,
communism and conflict theory.
16
4.
5.
Emile Durkleim was a French sociologist, social psychologist and
philosopher. He formally established the academic discipline and with
Karl Marx and Max Weber, is commonly cited as the principal architect of
modern social science and father of sociology.
Max Weber was a German sociologist, philosopher, jurist, and political
economist whose ideas profoundly influenced social theory and social
research.
Anthropology:
1. Franz Boas was a German- American anthropologist and a pioneer of
modern anthropology who has been called the "Father of American
Anthropology” His work is associated with the movement of
anthropological historicism.
2. Bronislaw Malinowski was a Polish anthropologist, one of the most
important 20th-century anthropologists. He has also been referred to as
a sociologist and ethnographer. He is considered the father of
ethnographic methodology by most field working anthropologist because
of his ideas on participant observation.
3. Alfred Reginald Radcliffe Brown was an English social anthropologist who
developed the theory of structural functionalism and coadaptation.
Political science:
1. Walter Lippmann was an American writer, reporter, and political
commentator famous for being among the first to introduce the concept of
Cold War, coining the term "stereotype" in the modern psychological
meaning, and critiquing media and democracy in his newspaper column and
several books.
Social change refers to an alteration of mechanism within the social structure,
characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social
organizations, or value systems.
Cultural Change is the modification of a society through innovation, invention,
discovery, or contact with other societies.
Political change refers to a subject matter that is in constant flux. It deals not only
with the major processes of growth, decay and breakdown but also with a ceaseless
ferment of adaptation and adjustment of political systems. It highlights the
magnitude and variety of the changes that occurred in the world’s political systems.
Sources/ Agents of Change:
1. Innovation is a social creation and institutionalization of new ideas. It is the
invention of something new; it can be an idea, a process, a practice, a device, or
a tool.
2. Action of leaders represents a trigger to social change. A leader is someone who
has the power to influence others or who is in charge or in command of a social
situation. Authority is legitimate power in which people believe the differences
in power is just and proper, that is, people see leaders as entitled to give orders.
17
3. Social Conflicts (Social Contradictions) is defined as the struggles for agency or
power in society. It occurs when two or more actors oppose each other in social
interaction, reciprocally exerting social power in an effort to attain scarce or
incompatible goals and prevent the opponent from attaining them.
What’s More
Activity 4: Complete My Name
Instructions: Complete the names of these famous philosophers/ sociologists who
made great contributions in the Birth of Social Sciences. Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.
K
R
A
X
1. He is the Father of Modern Socialism, communism and Conflict Theory.
M
W
R
B
2. His ideas profoundly influenced social theory and social research.
R
Z
O
S
3. He is called the "Father of American Anthropology”
A
U
T
E
C
O
4. He was a founder of the discipline of sociology and of the doctrine of
positivism.
18
W
A
R
L
P
M
N
5. He was first to introduce the concept of Cold War, coining the term
"stereotype" in the modern psychological meaning, and critiquing media.
What I Have Learned
•
•
•
•
•
•
Organizations differ from one another for three reasons: interaction isolates
and differentiates them, their histories are unique, and the problems with
which their social patterns must deal are different and this influences what
patterns are in turn developed.
The Birth of Social Sciences as a Response to the Social Turmoil of the
Modern Period such as Auguste Comte, Harriet Martineau, Karl Marx, Emile
Durkleim, Max Weber, Franz Boas, Bronislaw Malinowski, Alfred Reginald
Radcliffe Brown, and Walter Lippmann
Social change refers to an alteration of mechanism within the social
structure, characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior,
social organizations, or value systems.
Cultural Change is the modification of a society through innovation,
invention, discovery, or contact with other societies.
Political change highlights the magnitude and variety of the changes that
occurred in the world’s political systems.
Sources/ Agents of Change are innovation, action of leaders, and Social
Conflicts.
What I Can Do
Expound by reflecting.
Questions:
1. Explain why openness to accept the dynamism of each country’s culture,
society, and politics connect us to our very own history as people with a distinct
set of challenges we are called to reflect, confront and address?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
19
2. Why is cultural, social, and political change important in the society?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Assessment
A: Instructions: Match the concepts in Column A to the words in Colum B. Write
the letter of the correct answer on your Answer Sheet.
COLUMN A
COLUMN B
______ 1. Father of American Anthropology
A. Auguste Comte
______ 2. Social theory
B. Karl Marx
______ 3. Conflict theory
C. Franz Boas
______ 4. Social interaction
D. Max Weber
______ 5. Doctrine of positivism
E. Anthropology
______ 6. Father of ethnographic methodology
F. Harriet Martineau
______ 7. Concept of Cold War
G. Walter Lippmann
______ 8. Political economic theory
H. Bronislaw Malinowski
______ 9. Theory of structural functionalism
I. Sociology
______ 10. Human behavior
J. Alfred Reginald Brown
B: Instructions: Name the three agents of cultural, sociology, and political change.
Provide descriptions for each agent.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
20
Additional Activities
Question: How does “conflict” as an agent of social change relate with the
Proclamation of Martial Law in Mindanao by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
21
22
What's More
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
KARL MARX
MAX WEBER
FRANZ BOAS
AUGUSTE COMTE
WALTER LIPPMAN
Assessment
Set A.
1. C
2. D
3. B
4. I
5. A
6. H
7. G
8. F
9. J
10. E
Set B: Agents of Change:
1. Innovation – is a
social creation and
institutionalization of
new ideas.
2. Action of leaders –A
leader is someone
who has the power to
influence others or
who is in charge or in
command of a social
situation.
Social Conflicts – is
defined as the struggles
for agency or power in
society.
Answer Key
Lesson
3
Intersections, Inquiry, and
Importance of
Anthropology, Sociology,
and Political Science
Anthropology deals with the scientific study of humanity or those aspects
that make us human and the imprints of human achievement and progress.
According to Charon, sociology is systematic and scientific study of human social
life. Political science, according to H. Lasswell, (1958) is a science of politics and a
politics as a governmental determination of who gets what, when and how. In this
lesson, you will be able to have a better understanding about the social dimension
that must not be taken for granted, “social life”. You will be able to recognize the
common concerns or intersections of anthropology, sociology, and political science
with respect to the phenomenon of change. You will be able to focus on more
detailed descriptions of these important social sciences particularly on each
subject’s inquiry and importance.
What’s In
Expound by Reflecting
Question: Describe your experiences in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Explain
how it affects the culture in your family and community. You may draw or make an
essay.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
What’s New
Instructions: Search at least two articles about common problems or issues of
anthropology, sociology and political science in the Philippines. Then make a
reflection paper from the gathered articles.
23
What is It
First Intersection:
The anthropology, sociology and political science are classified as branches
of the Social Science. The Social Science is a division of science that deal with the
functions and structure of human society, as well as the interpersonal relationship
of individuals as members of society.
Second intersection:
Empirical proof as basis for truth. At the very heart of these three is the need
for rational proof and the recognition that the basis of truth must be found in
reason, in a careful appraisal of ideas. Empirical proof is a rational proof laid the
foundation for modern science, the idea of thinking developed into a proof.
Example: Archimedes wanted to know he could measure the volume of mass such
as a king’s crown. Rational proof and empirical proof are ways to test whether or
not an idea is accurate. Philosopher and mathematician rely heavily on rational
proof, while scientists rely on empirical proofs.
Third intersection:
Objectivity in Science is not merely observation but careful observation
according to Joel M. Charon (2009). Charon explains further that to be objective
means literally to see the world as an “object” apart from ourselves to separate it as
much as possible from our subjective perception. Max Weber describes science as
“value-free” investigation. It is an attempt to carefully and systematically observe
the world “as it is” rather than as we would like it to be. He means that the
scientist’s only commitment must be to scientific investigation itself; the
conclusions remain constantly open to further investigation.
Anthropology
A. Definition
Anthropology is the scientific study of the origins of humans, how we have
changed over the years, and how we relate to each other, both within our
own culture and with people from other cultures. Anthropos is the Greek
word for “human being” and the suffix –logos means “the study of”.
B. Subject Inquiry
Every culture has its own particular rituals, behaviors, and lifestyles, and
people in the field of anthropology document the many varieties of human
experiences. The main concern is to understand diversity and dispersion of
human beings from the standpoint of cultural differences. It is important for
24
us as human beings to understand our origins and also to understand the
cultures in the world outside of our own.
C. Importance of the Study
Anthropology answers those queries for humanity. It gives us a solid picture
of our human origins and blends together the various human cultures into
one large journey of humanity from the beginning of our existence to the
present day. It can also help understand more about where our cultures
might be going in the future because we predict future trends based on past
growth and progress.
Sociology
A. Definition
Sociology is the scientific study of society. Sociology is derived from the Latin
word socius which means “associate or companion” and the Greek word
logos which means “the study of”.
B. Subject Inquiry
The main concern of sociology is sociological analysis. It means that
sociology seeks to provide an analysis of human society and culture with a
sociological perspective. It has given sufficient attention to the study of
primary units of social life. It is concerned with social acts and social
relationships, individual personality, groups of all varieties, communities,
association, organization and population. It does not so much focus on what
occurs within people as it does on what transpires between people. Hence
the focus of sociological inquiry is on people as social beings, their activities
in relation to one another.
C. Importance of the Study
Sociology is of great importance in the solution of social problems. The
present world is suffering from many problems which can be solved through
scientific study of the society. It is the task of sociology to study the social
problems through the methods of scientific research and to find solutions to
them. Sociology has drawn our attention to the intrinsic worth and dignity of
man. It has been instrumental in changing our attitude towards human
beings.
Political Science
A. Definition
Political science is the systematic study of the state, government and
politics. The word politics is derived from the Greek word polis which means
“city-state” or what today would be equivalent to sovereign state. The word
“science” comes from the Latin word scire which means “to know”. Every
polis or city-state has its own form of government, administration,
25
management, and other related structures and all these did not depend
upon the size of the polis or city-state. So, politics means the political affairs
or administration of polis. The study of political science must be based on
scientific principles and reasons. Thus, it is an academic discipline.
B. Subject Inquiry
Political science is one important branch of social science and its concern is
with the political behavior of individuals, groups of individuals, agencies,
institutions and organizations, among others. Since all these are subject to
change and they are changing continuously, the subject matter, as well as
the scope, of political science is bound to change.
C. Importance of the Study
The study of political science is very useful and valuable. Its knowledge is
essential and relevant to both the ruler and the ruled. The significance of the
study are as follows:
1. Imparting knowledge of the state – It aims to inculcate
knowledge of the State, its origin, nature, structure and functions.
2. Imparting knowledge of government and administration – The
administrators, political leaders and diplomats who conduct the
affairs of the state, also require sound knowledge with efficiency.
Political science is said to be a science of statesmanship and
leadership.
3. Imparting knowledge about the world – In the modern age, an
individual cannot lead an isolated life. Each country has to
maintain relations with other countries of the world.
4. Creation of democratic values – The success of democracy
depends upon the political consciousness of its people. It makes
people conscious on their rights and duties.
5. Creation of good citizenship – The study of political science is
valuable for creating good citizenship and securing unity of the
nation. It makes citizens conscious of national objectives and
goals. It teaches the lessons and virtues of good citizenship.
6. Lesson of cooperation and toleration – Political science teaches
the lesson of cooperation, adjustment and toleration. Man should
learn how to cooperate and adjust himself with his fellow beings.
People of all walks of life should cooperate for the better
development of the country.
Thus, the study of political science has special importance to all, as it
helps to understand the mechanism and constitutional systems of modern
government. The principles of government, the domestic and foreign policies
of the nation, the legislature, executive and judicial branches of different
countries are studied in the political science. The principles of liberty,
equality and fraternity are also made clear by the study of it.
26
What’s More
Instructions: Differentiate empirical proof from rational proof, and cite an example
for each.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
What I Have Learned
•
•
•
Sociology is the scientific study of society. It seek to provide an analysis of
human society and culture with a sociological perspective.
Anthropology is the scientific study of the origins of humans, how we have
changed over the years, and how we relate to each other, both within our
own culture and with people from other cultures.
Political science is one important branch of social science and its concern is
with the political behavior of individuals, groups of individuals, agencies,
institutions and organizations, among others.
What I Can Do
Expound by reflecting.
Instructions: Search a specific article about social problem, and reflect on how
social sciences can contribute in solving problems in society? Explain.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
27
Assessment
A: Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement
is incorrect. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
__________ 1. All three social sciences are disciplines which are important to the
study of society because it encourages care and objectivity.
__________ 2. Philosophers and Mathematicians rely heavily on rational proof.
__________ 3. Max Weber describes science as “value-free” investigation.
__________ 4. Sociology is the systematic and scientific study of the human social
life.
__________ 5. Political Science is a science of politics and politics as a governmental
determination of who gets what, when and how.
Additional Activities
Answer the following questions:
Question 1: Why is total objectivity impossible to achieve?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Question 2: Explain the social world today under the new political culture in the
administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
28
29
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
Answer Key
References
Charon, Joel M. Ten Questions: A Sociological Perspective. USA: Wadsworth
Cengage Learning. 2010
De Guzman, J.M, Pena, R., Aquino, E. Understanding Culture, Society and Politics
for Senior High School. Mutya Publishing House. Inc. 2016
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. Department of Education Republic of
the Philippines. LexiconPress, Inc. 2016
https://faisal2050.wordpress.com/2008/12/16 /culture-2/
http://references- definitions.blurtit.com/316924/what-is-the- meaning-of-socialdifferences
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnews.asp?AuthorID=793
30
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Davao City Division
Elpidio Quirino Ave., Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur
Telefax: (082) 224-3274, (082) 222-1672
E-mail Address: davao.city@deped.gov.ph