UNIT 1 –
UNDERSTANDING
CULTURE, SOCIETY
AND POLITICS
Lesson 1 - Sharing of Social and Cultural
Backgrounds
Lesson 2 – Observations on Social, Political
and Cultural Behavior and Phenomena
Lesson 3 - Observations on Social, Political
and Cultural Change
Lesson 4 - Definition of Anthropology, Political
Science and Sociology
Culture, as defined by Edward B. Tylor "that
complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities
and habits acquired by man as a member of society“.
Lesson 1: Sharing of Social and Cultural Backgrounds
Campbell (2004) said that students
identify with certain groups to experience
a feeling of belongingness and that
students of all ages have a strong need to
belong to groups, because groups provide
a source of motivation for them. This is the
essence of socialization.
Cultural Identity
CULTURE
Prevailing set of beliefs,
values, customs, traditions,
laws, etc… which bind a
group.
IDENTITY
Distinct characteristics,
traits, and attributes
which set a particular
group apart.
CULTURAL IDENTITY
The identity or feeling of belonging to a group.
part of a person's self-conception and self-perception.
ethnicity locality
social class nationality any kind of social group
generation religion
CULTURAL AWARENESS
Connotes to the ability of a person to recognize the different
beliefs, values and customs that someone has based on that
individual's origins.
Cultural
Differences
CULTURAL BACKGROUND
- Consists of the ethnic,
religious, racial, gender,
linguistic or other
socioeconomic factors
and values that shape an
individual’s upbringing.
Concrete
understanding of
one’s culture: values,
customs, and traditions
Forbears/Ascendants
GENDER AND SEXUALITY
GENDER refers to the personal traits and
social roles of the male and female members
of society.
SEXUALITY is the state of being either
masculine or feminine.
Masculinity Identity Femininity
Crisis
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS
Socio-Economic Status- the level of an individual’s social standing
and financial position in the society
Socio-economic class- the status of every individual from the
sociological and economic points of view
Social Status - a person’s standing or rank in the social ladder of
stratification based on prestige, power, popularity, etc.
Economic status -a person’s place in the society’s economic
stratification based on wealth, property, and total assets.
ETHNICITY
condition in which a social
group belongs to a
common national or
cultural tradition
Ethnic- large groups of
people who have certain
The Ibanags are an ethnic group numbering
racial, cultural, religious, or around half a million people, who inhabit the
other traits in common. provinces of Cagayan, and Isabela.
LESSON 2- Observations about Social,
Political Behavior, and Phenomena
What is the significance
of studying culture,
society, and politics?
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
A. Food Taboos
a prohibition against
consuming certain foods.
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
FOOD IN THE PHILIPPINES
Influences from the Malay, Spanish, Arab,
Indian, Japanese, Chinese and American
cuisines.
Three meals a day with merienda, an
afternoon snack
Staple food: Rice
Cooking methods: frying, grilling, sautéing
and most of the time, boiling
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
DISHES CONSIDERED AS TABOOS
1. Any dish that have dog or cat meat.
Philippine Republic Act No. 8485
declares that it is completely “illegal
to slaughter a dog or cat for personal
trade or slaughtering a dog or cat for
commercial trade and consumption.”
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
DISHES CONSIDERED AS TABOOS
2. Any meat of animals considered
as endangered. Meat of monkeys,
tortoise (pawikan), monitor lizards
(bayawak), or rare birds are
unacceptable to eat either by
public standards or by law.
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
DISHES CONSIDERED AS TABOOS
3. Any food that violates human dignity
because they are not anymore acceptable
for human consumption by public opinion.
“double-dead meat’ or “botcha” - pork,
beef and chicken meat coming from
previously already dead animals
“pagpag”
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
FOOD PROHIBITED TO OTHERS BECAUSE OF RELIGION
Muslims, some
protestants, 7th-day
Adventist do not eat
pork.
Dinuguan
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
B. THE STANDBY (ISTAMBAY) PHENOMENON
(from English Idiom—”on stand by”)
a person who does not have work and who
usually hangs-out on street corners.
(1) an act of spending one’s time unprofitably;
idler
(2) a person who spends his time
unprofitably.
Synonymous to: paglalakwtsa’ (gallivanting),
‘taongtamad’ (lazy person), and ‘di ginagamit’
(not being used)
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
C. Political Dynasty
Families whose members
are engaged in politics
have been in the Philippine
political structure since
time past.
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
D. Philippine Elections
The President, as per the 1987
Philippine Constitution, is limited
to a single term and is barred
from running for re-election. The
Vice-president, on the other
hand, may run for re-election or
may opt for a higher position.
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
C. Political Dynasty
While many believe that political dynasties are associated with
the extent of poverty and corruption happening in the country,
there is no enabling law enacted in Congress that would give
tooth to Sec. 26, Article II Declaration of Principles and State
Policies, 1987 Philippine Constitution, “The State shall guarantee
equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit
political dynasties as may be provided by law”; that would
eradicate political dynasties in the Philippines.
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
D. Philippine Elections
The President, Vice-President, and the senators.
elected on a national or popular elections serve for a six-year
term.
The members of the House of Representatives, and the local
government officials, namely: governors, vice-governors,
members of the provincial board, mayors, vice-mayors, the
city/municipal councilors are elected for a term of three years
and are eligible for re-elections.
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
D. Philippine Elections
The Senate or Upper House has 24 members which are
elected on a nationwide at-large basis. The lower half of
the Senator’s term is renewed every three years. The
House of Representatives or Lower House has 250
seats of which 80% are contested in congressional
districts and 20% are allotted to party-lists.
Social, Political, and Cultural
Phenomena
D. Philippine Elections
In the Philippines, the common dictum in the
vernacular is “Kaya siya nanalo kasi nandaya
siya; Kaya siya natalo kasi dinaya siya.”
1. The identity or feeling of belonging to a
group.
2. Condition in which a social group
belongs to a common national or
cultural tradition
3. Give at least two food taboos in the
Philippines.
4. Explain the difference between
gender and sexuality.
