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UCPS

This course is an 80-hour semester course for grades 11 or 12 that uses insights from anthropology, political science, and sociology to develop students' cultural awareness and sensitivity. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of how culture, human agency, society and politics work. By the end of the course, students should have ideas about human cultures, societies, politics, and recognize cultural relativism and social inclusiveness to guide interactions with groups.

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Mikhaella
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251 views

UCPS

This course is an 80-hour semester course for grades 11 or 12 that uses insights from anthropology, political science, and sociology to develop students' cultural awareness and sensitivity. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of how culture, human agency, society and politics work. By the end of the course, students should have ideas about human cultures, societies, politics, and recognize cultural relativism and social inclusiveness to guide interactions with groups.

Uploaded by

Mikhaella
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Grade: 11 or 12

Core Subject Title: Understanding Culture, Society and Politics


No. of hours/semester: 80 hours

Course Description:
This course uses insights from Anthropology, 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,
Process Question
From your answers, give your own definition of culture, society, and politics.

Firm up

On Culture

Material: Eriksen, Thomas Hyland, 2001. “Introduction: Comparison and Context,”


Small Places, Large Issues: An Introduction to Social and Cultural
Anthropology.2nd Edition. London: Sterling Press. pp. 1–7

Guide Questions
1. Why are there great variations in the way people around the world live?
2. Amid these variations, why do we see similarities among societies?
3. In what way can the study of the different and common aspects of human
existence contribute to our understanding of culture, society, and politics?
DEFINITION OF
ANTHROPOLOGY,
SOCIOLOGY AND
POLITICAL SCIENCE
ANTHROPOLOGY:
DERIVATION OF NAME

Anthropos…from the
Greek for man
 We extend this today
to mean all of
humanity
-ology…(logos) the
study of…
ANTHROPOLOGY
 isthe study of human beings
and their ancestors through
time in terms of physical
characteristics,
environmental and social
relations, and culture.
 covers all characteristics of
humanity, including
physiology and evolutionary
origins
ANTHROPOLOGY’S SCOPE OF
STUDY
Four Subfields...
Cultural Anthropology
Linguistic Anthropology
Biological Anthropology
Archaeology
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Focuses on living (or recently
living) cultures
Identifies rules of social behavior
Studies the ways people identify
themselves in their societies and
the world
LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY
Focuses on human
communication
Studies the ways we structure
our communication
Includes components on how the
brain and speech emerged
together
Covers the ways to be effective
in communication
BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Studies the human animal
Evolution
Population and breeding
histories and how people
create ideas of race and
racism
Forensic anthropology
ARCHAEOLOGY
Studies humanity through the
remains left behind by people
Provides a unique view across
time of culture, language, and
physical forms
Explores the lost civilizations &
cultures of the past
4 FIELDS UNIFIED BY…
Their connection to human-
kind
Cannot speak of archaeology
without referring to culture,
or language without referring
to biology and culture
They all interrelate when we
put people in the picture
SOCIOLOGY
 is the study of human society at a
given period in time.

 it focuses on social relationships.


Anthropology versus Sociology comparison chart
Anthropology Sociology

Definition The study of human beings and The study of the


their ancestors through time in development, structure,
terms of physical character, interaction and behavior of
environmental and social
organized groups of human
relations and culture. It can also
beings.
be known as the scientific and
humanistic study of human
species and their various
diversities.

Specializations Sociocultural, linguistic, Social institutions (economic


physical, archaeological life education, family, politics
Simple, traditional and non- and religion), social
industrialized societies. stratification (by age, gender,
race and ethnicity, and social
class), social change and social
problems. Focuses on complex
and modern societies.
Process Questions
1. What are the objects of anthropological study?
2. What perspective does anthropology offer to the study of culture and society?
3. Why is it important to know the similarity and diversity of cultures and
societies?
On Society
Material: Mills, C. Wright. (1959). “The Promise,” The Sociological Imagination.
New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 3–24
Guide Questions
1. According to Mills, how can one understand society?
2. How is addressing or solving a personal problem different from addressing a
public problem?
POLITICAL SCIENCE
 The scientific study of politics and
government
 the process by which rulers are
selected and empowered to make
decisions, take action to attain
common goals, and reconcile conflicts
within a political community
POLITICAL SCIENCE
In essence, politics is an
activity whereby an
individual or group seeks
power by mobilizing support
for their particular point of
view. Politics is the ability to
get what you want by
obtaining power.
WHAT IS POWER?

 Power is the
ability of a
person, group, or
nation to get what
it wants.

 In the case of
governments,
they can use soft
power (e.g.
persuasion), or
hard power (e.g.
military force)
OTHER DEFINITIONS OF POWER
 The ability of one person to get another to do
his or her bidding
 The ability of governments, and of
governmental leaders, to make and enforce
rules and to influence the behavior of
individuals or groups by rewarding or
punishing certain behaviors

Robert Dahl: “ A has power over B to the extent


that A can get B to do something that B would
otherwise not do”
Steven Lukes: “A exercises power over B when
A affects B in a manner contrary to B’s
interests”
BASIC CONCEPTS IN POLITICAL
SCIENCE
 Legitimacy: People's
attitude that the
government's rule is
rightful

Gained through:
 Existing for a long time
 Governing well

 Structure of
government
 National symbols

North Korean Leader Kim Jong il


CONCEPTS IN POLI SCI
Sovereignty: National control over the
country's territory

Authority: Psychological ability of


leaders to get others to obey them
 Most people obey what they
consider to be legitimate
authority most of the time
Order: The structures rules and
practices enforced by a group of
people
Canada’s claim of sovereignty
Community: An association of
individuals who share a common Over Canada’s North
identity

Government: Those persons and


institutions that make and enforce
rules or laws for the larger
community
CONCEPTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Nation-State: Geographically defined
community administered by a government

Nation: Made up of a distinct group of


people who share a common background,
including any or all of the following:
geographic location, history, racial or ethnic
characteristics, religion, language, culture,
and belief in common political ideas

State: A viable, sovereign government


exercising authority and power in the name
of society
WHY DO THESE STUDENTS OBEY?
WHY DO PEOPLE OBEY?

Why are they waiting in line? Did someone teach them?

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