C.

A. Preparatory Activity

Unlock the difficulties by performing this preparatory activity first. Get the
understanding of the following main concepts before you proceed to the next part of this
module by writing your understanding in the space provided after the terms.

1. Society

- Society is a group of individuals who are characterized by common interests and may have
different cultures and institutions. "Society" may refer to a particular ethnic group, such as the
Nuer, a nation-state, such as Switzerland, or a broader cultural group, such as Western society.
A group of organized people united for religious, philanthropic, cultural, scientific, political,
patriotic, or other reasons can also be considered a society.

2. Social change

- Social change, the process of socialization also changes accordingly. The individual who is an
active member of the society becomes an agent and target of social change. He brings social
changes and is influenced by such changes.

3. Social Factors

- Social factors can shape one's life by helping or hindering adaptation, alleviating, or
exacerbating symptoms by making remedies more or less accessible, providing therapeutic or
detrimental environments, or in causing good or poor health care to be available. Social factors
determine the social patterning of health, disease, and mortality at the population level.

4. Civilization

- Civilization refers to a society or group of people or the process of achieving a higher state of
social development. An example of civilization is the Mesopotamian civilization. An example of
civilization is an industrial society that has arts, sciences, and machines such as cars.

5. Rural Society

- rural society, society in which there is a low ratio of inhabitants to open land and in which the
most important economic activities are the production of foodstuffs, fibers, and raw materials.
Such areas are difficult to define with greater precision, for, although in non-industrialized nations
the transition from city to countryside is usually abrupt, it is gradual in industrialized societies,
making it difficult to pinpoint the boundaries of rural places.
Outcome-Based Assessments

1. Recognize the characteristics and any background of the four influential great traditions in the
cultural transformation the Southeast Asia had by filling in the table below.

Great Traditions Time it Cultural Places where

happened Characteristics the influences
cogenerated
Chinese culture is The Chinese
said to have traditional cultural
Chinese Traditions begun with the values of harmony,
Yellow Emperor, benevolence,
over 5,000 years righteousness, Vietnam
ago. He was a courtesy, wisdom,
cultivator of the Tao honesty, loyalty, and
(or the Way) and filial piety are
was said to have embodied in China's
great power and diplomacy through
wisdom. He taught the concept of
his subjects how-to harmony, the most
live-in accordance important Chinese
with the heavenly traditional value.
Way.

Indian culture is Indian culture is The impact of

among the world's unique and variant. Indian culture was
Indian Traditions It profound,
oldest as the
includes intellectual especially in parts
people of India and social aspects of Burma
can track their of any human being. (Myanmar),
civilization back as It also takes account Thailand,
far as 4,500 years of the aesthetic Cambodia, and the
ago. Many sources instinct as well as Indonesian
the spiritual archipelago.
describe it as "Sa impulses of a
Prathama human being. India
Sanskrati is a vast country
Vishvavara" the with a lot of diversity
first and the in her physical and
social environment.
supreme culture in
the world
 The start of Islam is The Five Pillars are Iran, Iraq, Syria,
marked in the the core beliefs and Afghanistan, the
year 610, following practices of Islam: Caucasus, and
Islamic Traditions the first revelation Turkey, regions of
to the prophet -Profession of Faith Central Asia (such
Muhammad at the (shahada). The as Tajikistan) and
age of 40. belief that "There is South Asia where
Muhammad and his no god but God, and the Persian
followers spread Muhammad is the language has
the teachings of Messenger of God" historically been
Islam throughout is central to Islam either the native or
the Arabian -Prayer (salat) official language.
peninsula.
-Alms (zakat)
-Fasting (sawm)
-Pilgrimage (hajj).

From the late 15th There are many

century to the 17th different Western
Western Traditions century, Western cultural
culture began to characteristics;
spread to other some Philippines and
parts of the world include individuality, Singapore
through explorers scientific
and missionaries rationalism,
during the Age of capitalism, and the
Discovery, and by rule of law.
imperialists from However, as stated
the 17th century to previously, Western
the early 20th civilization began in
century. ancient Greece, but
the Greeks did not
develop in isolation.

2. Complete the diagram by filling in the boxes with the needed items in associating the
contributions and influences by the great traditions to the development of the dominant
characteristics of the society and culture of the given places.

a. Chinese Traditions For over thousands of years, China ruled over Vietnam Vietnam
from 111 B.C. — 980 A.D. During the period, many
Chinese culture wonders influenced the small country of
the world. One of its influenced was the classical Chinese
writing. In the 10th century, Vietnam adopted
Chinese writing script to create their own language —
Chữ-Nôm. It wasn’t until later in the 12th — 13th century
the adopted Vietnamese language was systematized as
the official language and part of literature. Vietnam’s
culture was greatly influenced by China’s domination.
b. Indian Traditions In Cambodia, an elite practice of statecraft, art and Cambodia
science, based on Indian culture. The single most significant
cultural contribution of India, for which Thailand is greatly Thailand
indebted to India, is Buddhism. Kingdoms in the southeast
coast of the Indian Subcontinent had established trade, Java
cultural and political relations with Southeast Asian
kingdoms in Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Malay Peninsula,
Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. Southern Indian Laos
traders, adventurers, teachers and priests continued to be
the dominating influence in Southeast Asia until about 1500 Myanmar
CE. Hinduism and Buddhism both in spread to these states
from India and for many centuries existed there with
mutual toleration. Eventually the states of the mainland
became mainly Buddhist

c. Islamic Traditions Mindanao

The Muslim minority population in the Philippines
is mostly concentrated on then southern island of
Mindanao and on the Sulu archipelago. Islam in Malaysia is Malaysia
represented the Shafi’I version of Sunni theology and
jurisprudence, while defining Malaysia constitutionally a
secular state. Islam was introduced by traders arriving from Brunei
Arabia, China and Indian subcontinent. Islam is the official
religion of Brunei and Brunei has implemented Sharia law
since 2014. Islam in Indonesia is considered to have Indonesia
gradually spread through merchant activities by Arab
Muslim traders, adoption by local rulers and the influence
of mysticism since the 13th century. During the late
colonial era, it was adopted as a rallying banner against
colonialism.

d. Western Traditions The Impacts and Influences of Western Thoughts Philippines

to Filipinos Western Thoughts has been a persistent and
constant influence across the world in the last few
centuries. Obviously, Filipinos culture has been greatly
influenced by the west: our education, music, show Singapore
business, lifestyle, and fashion and even on
infrastructures. the influence of its past British
governance means that it is one of the most Westernized
countries in Asia. Lifestyles are quite cosmopolitan and
English (also referred to as the adapted ‘Singlish’) is the
common language spoken among all ethnicities.
3. Determine the importance of the influences made by the great traditions entered in Southeast
Asia to the present condition of the society and culture of some places and countries of the region.
Write your answer on the space provided in every item.

a. Chinese Tradition

- With a rich history of more than 5,000 years, China enjoys many traditional festivals that you
may encounter on a trip to China such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Tomb-Sweeping
Day (Qingming Festival) to the Dragon Festival and Mid-autumn Day, each with its own
significance and features.
b. Indian Tradition

- Indian celebrate Diwali, Holi and Makar Sakranti, Muslims observe Eid, Baisakhi (crop
harvesting) is a Sikh festival, Jains commemorate Mahavir Jayanti and Buddhists mark Buddha's
birthday. Christmas and Good Friday are celebrated by Christians too. Then there are festivals to
honour saints, public figures, and gurus.

c. Islamic Tradition

- In Islamic tradition, Ramadan is a time of reflection encouraging Muslims to participate in charity,

fasting and prayer. For Muslims, fasting during this sacred time is significant as it is one of the
Five Pillars of Islam (Belief, Worship, Fasting, Almsgiving and Pilgrimage).

d. Western Traditions

- Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization, Western lifestyle or European
civilization, is a term used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values,
traditional customs, belief systems, political systems, and specific artifacts and technologies that
have some origin or association with Europe.

1. Search for more information about the different evidence of the influences made by Chinese,
Indian, and Islamic Western culture to some Southeast Asian countries. Discuss your insight on
it in a paper.

• Chinese Culture
- The Chinese traditional cultural values of harmony, benevolence, righteousness, courtesy,
wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and filial piety are embodied in China’s diplomacy through the
concept of harmony, the most important Chinese traditional value. The cultural values of a
country influence its national psychology and identity. Citizens’ values and public opinions are
conveyed to state leaders through the media and other information channels, both directly
and indirectly influencing decisions on foreign policy. The traditional cultural values that
influence the psyche of the Chinese people are harmony, benevolence, righteousness,
courtesy, wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and filial piety. Of these, the core value is harmony.
Harmony means “proper and balanced coordination between things” and encompasses
rationale, propriety, and compatibility. Rationale refers to acting according to objective laws
and truths. Propriety indicates suitability and appropriateness.
 • Indian Culture
- Indians generally place a high value on harmony and unity with others, keeping a strong
nexus with their community and relatives. A unified and interdependent community or family
provides a support system that an individual can rely on daily. Community groups are often
informed by one’s jati. Many community groups, especially in rural areas in the north, have
their own regulating system of self-imposed rules to help maintain order and harmony. Such
systems are often seen as necessary due to economic hardship or the unreliability of official
services. The regulation of rules does not necessarily come from the upper caste; in some
cases, lower caste members may lead the community depending on the area.

• Islamic Culture
- In Islamic Culture there is reflection of the Islamic values. In the name of art and culture, Islam
does not encourage open or hidden obscenity. Rather, it declares obscenity of all kinds as clearly
unlawful (haram/‫)ﺣرام‬. Likewise, Islam does not permit the doing of any action which is against
human development and dignity. Islam has its own values according to which it molds the human
character. Any culture which is anti-Islamic will be anti-culture. Rather pure pollution. A culture
evolved upon the Islamic basis takes a human being to the high station of crown creation while
common concept of culture which is vehemently propagated nowadays degrades a human being
to the level of animals. The reason is that the components of such culture are those which are
found to the maximum in the animals. Hence those cannot be the cause of an honor for a human
being. The basis of Muslim Culture is Islam. And any interpretation of Culture cannot be
acceptable which is against the basic concepts of Muslims. Muslim Culture is fully constructive,
full of peace, full of excellence, and based on welfare and well-wishing of the people. By its
expression purity, modesty and sincerity prevails in the atmosphere.

• Western Culture
- Western culture, also known as Western civilization, Occidental culture, or Western society,
is the heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, belief systems, political
systems, artifacts and technologies of the Western world. The term also applies beyond
Europe to countries and cultures whose histories are strongly connected to Europe by
immigration, colonization, or influence. For example, Western culture includes countries in the
Americas and Oceania. Western culture is most strongly influenced by Greek philosophy,
Roman law, and Christian culture. Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of many
elements of Western culture, including the development of a democratic system of
government and major advances in philosophy, science, and mathematics.
2. Write an essay on how some Southeast Asian countries cultural identity remains distinct and
unique despite the many influences brought to the region by the four great traditions studied.

- Many Southeast Asian countries have unique histories as they pertain to foreign
occupations/colonization, trade, war, religion, etc. It is often that these unique historical
moments helped form different styles or architecture, mentalities, customs and of course
landmarks/sights. Just scratching a bit below the surface of a country’s history reveals rich and
interesting facts about the past that help explain much of a traveler’s daily experiences, sights,
and impressions. Through the sheer variety of picturesque landscapes this region offers, a visit
to Southeast Asia comes with no shortage of photo-ops. Whether it is the limestone karst
formations that line many of Thailand’s beaches, famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites like
Laos’ Luang Prabang, Vietnam’s Hoi An or Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, each country offers
different and amazing rural and urban landscapes. Each country has unique topographical
features, flora, and fauna.

Given the region’s richness of experiences and beauty, it is advisable to book a trip to
Southeast Asia through an experienced travel operator with a strong regional
relationship. Ansova Travel has years of experience offering handcrafted Southeast Asian
journeys of discovery through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, while weaving the
regional diversity into a tailored journey of exploration. Some may argue that the real beauty of
Southeast Asia is in its people and hardly anyone could reasonably disagree. The waves of
smiles, openness, and hospitality can be overwhelming at times, but never cease to amaze.
Observing, experiencing, and interacting with people can have a soothing effect and overall may
contribute to the internal relaxation many travelers aim to experience during a vacation. There
are so much this region’s people, and their cultures can teach us about the value of a smile,
friendship, community and most importantly, finding happiness in the more simple and subtle
things in life.