UCSP Quarter 1 – Lesson 1

The Nature, Goals, and Perspectives of

Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science
To be presented by: Jose S. Lubrica III
 OBJECTIVES
• Acknowledge human cultural
variation, social differences,
social change, and political
identities;
• Adopt an open and critical
attitude toward different social,
political, and cultural phenomena
through observation and
reflection;
• Appreciate the value of
Anthropology, Sociology, and
Political Science as social
sciences
Who are you?
Sino ka?
You can tell me your…

• Name
• Role (Occupation)
• Where you are from
• Your citizenship
• Your religion
The answers you
provided are all
correct.
But social scientists
look deeper.
A person is not only an
individual.
A person is also a
social actor.
So what does an
ACTOR do?
A social actor is an
individual who interacts
with others, performs social
roles, and participates in
society.
For example…
You are not only Jose,
Maria, or Juan. You are
also a student, a child, a
friend, a member of a
community, and eventually
a citizen. These roles
influence how you think
and behave.
 Can two people with the
same age, same school, and
same location have
different experiences?
People are shaped
by different
backgrounds.
When we say people have
different backgrounds, we
are talking about cultural
variation.
Culture…

The shared beliefs,

values, practices,
traditions, language,
and way of life of a
group of people.
 Variation means
“A unique version of
something, or the extent to
which something changes”
Therefore, Cultural Variation may mean:

• Unique beliefs,
• Unique values,
• Unique practices,
• Unique traditions,
• Unique language,
• And a unique way of life of a
group of people.
Culture is something people learn
from society.
We are not born knowing our
traditions.
We learn them from family,
community, and experiences.
 Question:
Kapampangans are known
for what?
In Pampanga, food is
strongly connected to
culture.
Kapampangan cuisine
is not only about
eating.
It represents history,
identity, and family
traditions.
 Question:
Why do you think food can
represent culture?
Because…

Culture gives meaning to

ordinary things. The way
people eat, celebrate,
speak, and interact tells us
something about their
identity.
 Now, if culture explains
differences in traditions and
practices, social
differences explain
differences in people’s
experiences in society.
Social Differences

Differences among people

based on factors such as
gender, socioeconomic
class, ethnicity, religion,
nationality, and abilities.
Let us imagine two Grade 12
students preparing for
college.
Student A:

• Has a laptop
• Has stable internet
• Can enroll in
review programs
Student B:

• Shares a phone with

siblings
• Helps in a family
business
• Has limited resources
 Question…
Are these students equally
capable?
Social differences do not
mean one person is better
than another. But these
differences can affect
opportunities and
experiences.
 And this is all because of
SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS.
Socioeconomic Class

• Also known as or
socioeconomic Status
• a measurement of an
individual's or family's
social standing and
economic position in
society
Socioeconomic Class

• It is determined by
combining three core
factors:
• income/wealth,
• education level,
• and occupation
 This helps explain why
people may experience the
same society differently.
Just like in socioeconomic
classes, different people
might experience different
lives because of their
gender.
 Tell me what
genders should
work on these
jobs…
Construction work
Flight attendants
Engineers
Nurses
Teachers
These kinds of expectations
are known as
GENDER ROLES.
Gender Roles

• Are the societal and

cultural expectations
that dictate how
individuals should act,
speak, dress, and
interact based on their
assigned sex.
Gender Roles

• These unwritten rules define

the behaviors, responsibilities,
and attitudes considered
appropriate for men and
women, often shaping
occupations, family dynamics,
and daily interactions.
 Remember:
Gender roles are influenced by
culture. What one society
considers normal may be
different in another society.
 Remember:
we should never judge
another culture, or one
another, simply because of
their different gender roles.
 Question…
Are all Filipinos
culturally identical?
Filipinos are culturally diverse

We have…

• Different languages
• Different traditions
• Different history
 We call that
Ethnic Diversity
Ethnicity

a group identity
based on shared
culture, history,
language, and
traditions.
Ethnic diversity celebrates our
differences, unites communities,
and reminds us that every culture
and person contributes to a
richer, more understanding
world.
What are these:
Catholic
Born Again
Iglesia Ni Cristo
Muslim
Jewish
Just like a person’s
ethnicity, gender, and social
status, religion plays a big
part on shaping and molding
an individual.
Religion

Is a cultural system of
beliefs, values, and
practices that connects
humanity to the
spiritual, supernatural,
or transcendental.
Religion may affect a person’s…

• Values
• Practices
• Celebrations
• Social Behavior
 Question:
Do people who learn, think, or
experience the world differently
have less value than others?
The answer is a
resounding
NO!
We have what we call
“Exceptionality”
And
“Non-exceptionality”
Exceptionality

• refers to individuals
whose abilities,
learning needs, or
physical conditions
differ from what is
considered typical
Non-exceptionality

• refers to individuals
whose characteristics
generally fall within
the typical range.
 However, these
differences do not
define a person’s worth
or potential.
In terms of abilities

• Some individuals may have

advanced skills in certain
areas, while others may
need support in developing
specific skills.
• Everyone has different
strengths and challenges.
In terms of learning needs

• Some students may require

additional support, such as
adjusted activities, assistive
tools, or different teaching
strategies, while others may learn
effectively through regular
approaches.
• These differences show that
people learn in different ways.
In terms of physical conditions

• Some individuals may

experience challenges
related to movement,
hearing, vision, or health
and may need
accommodations to fully
participate.
The goal is inclusion and respect.
Differences should not become
reasons for exclusion. Instead,
they should remind us to create
environments where everyone is
accepted, supported, and given
equal opportunities to succeed.
 Aside from these aspects,
we have to remember that
people are not only cultural
and social beings. They are
also political beings.
Political identity

• Is the way individuals

define themselves
within the context of
political values,
ideologies, and
affiliations.
Political identity

• It shapes how people

view the world, their role
in society, and their
political behavior.
• It determines who they
align with and what
causes they support.
Political identity is determined by…

• Family
• Community
• Experiences
• Social issues
• Education
This is why people can
have different opinions
about leaders,
elections, and social
issues.
 Final question…
Why do we need to
understand differences
instead of immediately
judging them?
 Because people’s
behavior and identity
are influenced by their
culture and social
experiences.
Topic: Social,
Political, and
Cultural Behaviors
and Phenomena
When you observe society,
or the actions of the people
within that society, do you
usually ask if it’s “good” or
“bad”?
But for social scientists, or
simply for any people very
concerned with what’s
happening, they ask,
“Why does this happen?”
When we try to understand
why certain things happen
within the society, we are
trying to understand
Social Phenomenon.
Social Phenomenon

• is any observable event,

behavior, or trend that is
influenced by—or
influences—individuals
and groups within a
society.
Social Phenomenon

• Unlike natural events

(like earthquakes), these
are human-driven,
arising from social
interactions, cultural
norms, and collective
beliefs.
Social Phenomenon

May include
• The rise of online
friendships
• cancel culture
• changing dating
practices
When you hear the
word “istambay”,
what comes into
your mind?
 The word istambay came
from the phrase, “on stand
by” which was introduced
to the Philippines
Philippines during the
American colonial period.
 Colloquially refers to a
person who is unemployed,
is not in school, or spends
their time idly loitering in
public areas like street
corners or sari-sari stores.
But Social science
teaches us not to
immediately label
people.
Instead we try to
understand them
by doing
Social Analysis
Social Analysis

• The systematic process

of examining societal
structures, relationships,
and trends to
understand the root
causes of social issues.
Social Analysis

• In short this is the

process of examining the
deeper causes behind
human behavior.
 Instead of simply asking
why someone is
unemployed we should ask
“what social factors
influence unemployment”?
It may be…

• Education
• Economy
• Opportunities
• Community
Conditions
Education

• A person’s level of
knowledge, skills, and
training can affect
their ability to qualify
for available jobs.
Economy

• The condition of the economy

influences job availability;
when businesses grow, more
jobs are created, but during
economic decline,
unemployment may
increase.
Opportunities

• The availability of jobs,

career pathways, and
access to employment
opportunities affects
whether people can find
work.
Community conditions

• The environment where

people live, such as local
industries,
transportation,
resources, and support
systems, can influence
employment chances.
 Aside from understanding
phenomena within the
society, we also need to
understand the phenomena
within the culture.
Cultural Phenomenon

• an event, trend, or idea

that captures the public
imagination, deeply
influencing societal
values, behaviors, and
everyday habits.
Cultural Phenomenon

• A practice, belief,
tradition, or trend shared
by a group that reflects
their values and way of
life.
Cultural Phenomenon

May include
• K-pop becoming globally
popular
• Filipino fiestas
• Changing fashion trends
• Viral dances
What can you say
about “balut”
(fertilized duck
eggs)?
 Some people love it
(especially Filipinos),
some hate it (most
foreigners)
 These are
examples of
Food Taboos.
Cultural Phenomena: Food Taboos

• a cultural or religious
rule that prevents people
from eating certain
foods.
Cultural Phenomena: Food Taboos

• Examples might include:

• Iglesia Ni Cristo members not
eating dinuguan
• Muslims not eating pork
• Kapampangans (some) who
love eating dogs
• Etc.
 A food taboo is not
simply about food. It
reflects beliefs, values,
history, and identity.
That’s why it is important to
not judge but to simply
understand the meaning
behind practices.
 Then, aside from social
phenomena and cultural
phenomena, we also have to
consider
Political Phenomena.
Political Phenomena

• An event, movement,
or change connected
to government, power,
leadership, policies, or
political beliefs
Political Phenomena

• It’s main focus are:

• Power,
• authority, and
• decision-making
Political Phenomena

• May include:
• Elections,
• protests,
• political movements,
• changes in laws
Political Phenomena: Elections

• the formal decision-

making process by
which a population
selects individuals to
hold public office.
Why do you think
different people
vote differently?
Personal experiences

• A person’s
background and life
experiences can
influence what issues
matter most to them.
Values and beliefs

• People may have

different ideas about
what is right, fair, or
important for society.
Information and opinions

• Voters may receive

different information
or interpret issues in
different ways.
Economic and social conditions

• A person’s job,
community, family
situation, or concerns
may shape their
choices.
Political preferences

• Some people support

certain leaders,
parties, or policies
based on their goals
and principles.
 If everyone has the
right to vote, does that
automatically mean
every vote is a good
decision?
Consider the following

• voter awareness and education

• misinformation and fake news
• influence of family, friends, and
social media
• personal interests vs. the
common good
• the responsibility that comes with
voting
 Question…
Why do some families
remain influential in
politics?
Political Dynasties

• A political dynasty is a
family that maintains
control over elected
positions within a
region across
generations.
Political Dynasties

• Occurs when a
politician passes their
power, wealth, and
network down to
relatives like children
or spouses.
 Question…
What may be the
possible reason for
such dynasties?
Reputation (The Brand Name)

• Voters already know

and trust the family
name, so the relatives
get an automatic
head start.
Resources (The Money)

• The family is wealthy

enough to easily pay
for expensive
campaigns,
advertisements, and
travel.
Networks (The Connections)

• They have powerful

friends, loyal
supporters, and
business allies who
help them win every
time.
 Question…
Are there possible
advantages or
disadvantages for the
citizens in political
dynasties? What are they?
Topic: Social
Change and the
Social Sciences
What can you say
about “diskarte”
culture?
The Original Meaning: Descarte (Card Games)

• The word comes from the

Spanish descartar,
originally referring to the
strategy of discarding a
playing card to improve
your chances of winning a
game.
The Mid-20th Century: Romance and Courtship

• Over time, it evolved into a

romantic slang term
describing the charm,
smooth-talking, and clever
strategy used to court a
partner.
The Modern Era: Economic Survival and Hustle

• Today, it has transformed

into a survival mindset
focused on street smarts,
side hustles, and finding
creative ways to overcome
poverty and systemic
failures.
Is it a good thing or
is it a bad thing?
 Question…
Is society the same
as it was 20 years
ago?
Change is a typical and
normal part of society
because we have what
we call
Social Change
Social Change

• Are changes in
patterns of behavior,
relationships,
institutions, and
culture over time.
 We have different
examples and
instances of social
change, we’re going to
discuss some of them.
 Question…
How do you usually
communicate with your
friends now?
 This is how people
communicate before
smartphones.
Now you are very familiar
with chatting, back then
txting was main means of
communication.
 Technology has reshaped nearly
every aspect of modern life,
extending far beyond simple
communication. While it has made it
easier and faster for people to
connect through platforms like
messaging apps and social media,
its influence runs much deeper.
In relationships…

• Friendships and
romantic relationships
can now begin and
develop online, often
without face-to-face
interaction.
In the workplace

• Automation, artificial
intelligence, and digital tools
have increased efficiency and
productivity. Remote work has
become more common,
allowing employees to work
from home or anywhere in the
world.
In the workplace

• Remote work has

become more common,
allowing employees to
work from home or
anywhere in the world.
In education

• technology has made

learning more accessible.
Online classes, digital
resources, and interactive
tools allow students to learn
anytime and anywhere.
In politics

• technology has
significantly changed
how information is
shared and how people
engage with public
issues.
In politics

• Social media platforms

allow citizens to voice
opinions, organize
movements, and access
political news quickly.
 Question…
Why do many Filipinos
work abroad?
 With this trend,
Transnational Families
emerged.
Transnational Families

• a family whose
members live in
different countries
but remain
connected.
 The following are the
effects of transnational
families…
Financial Support

• Family members working

abroad often send money
(remittances) back home. This
helps improve living
conditions, pay for education,
healthcare, and daily needs,
but it can also create financial
dependency.
Changing Family Roles
• When one or both parents are
away, roles within the family
shift.
• For example, the parent left
behind or even older children
may take on additional
responsibilities such as
decision-making or
caregiving.
Emotional Challenges

• Long periods of separation can

lead to loneliness, stress, and
emotional distance among
family members. Children
may feel the absence of a
parent, while those working
abroad may experience
homesickness and guilt.
Topic:
Anthropology,
Sociology, and
Political Science
 If we want to understand
humans and society,
different disciplines study
different aspects.
If we ask, ‘Why do cultures
have different traditions?’
what discipline answers
this?
Anthropology

• the study of
humans, culture,
and human
development.
Anthropology

Focus on
• Beliefs
• Traditions
• cultural practices
Beliefs

• Anthropology views
beliefs as the shared
convictions, worldviews,
and truths that shape
how a specific group of
people understands
reality.
Beliefs

• This includes religious

doctrines, creation
myths, superstitions,
moral codes, and even
modern secular
ideologies (like
capitalism or science).
Traditions

• Traditions are the

customs, beliefs, or
behaviors passed down
from generation to
generation within a
culture.
Traditions

• This covers long-

standing social
structures, oral
storytelling, historical
preservation, and the
way a community
defines its heritage.
Cultural Practices

• are the actual, everyday

actions, behaviors, and
rituals performed by
members of a group.
Cultural Practices

• This ranges from major,

formal events like
weddings, funerals, and
religious festivals, to
mundane daily routines like
cooking, greeting rituals,
and body language.
If we ask, ‘Why do social
inequalities or group
behaviors exist?’
Sociology

• the study of society,

social relationships,
and social behavior.
Sociology

• Focused on:
• Groups
• Institutions
• Social Problems
Groups

• Sociology views groups

as the foundational
building blocks of
society, consisting of two
or more people who
interact and identify with
one another.
Groups

• This ranges from small,

intimate primary groups
(like families and friend
circles) to large, impersonal
secondary groups (like
corporations, sports fans, or
entire social classes).
Institutions

• Social institutions are the

established, organized
systems and structures
that meet the basic
needs of a society and
maintain social order.
Institutions

• The major traditional

institutions include the
family, education,
religion, government,
and the economy.
Social Problems

• Social problems are

conditions, behaviors, or
situations that disrupt
the well-being of society
and are recognized as
needing collective action
to fix.
Social Problems

• This includes wide-

ranging issues like
poverty, systemic
racism, crime, substance
abuse, climate change,
and gender inequality.
 If we ask, ‘How do
governments work and how
do people gain political
power?’
Political Science

• the study of
government,
politics, power, and
political behavior.
Political Science

• Focused on:
• Elections
• Leadership
• Policies
Elections

• Political science views

elections as the primary
mechanism of democracy,
serving as the formal
process by which citizens
choose their leaders and
influence public policy.
Elections

• This includes analyzing

voter turnout, public
opinion polls, the role of
political parties,
campaign finance, and
the fairness of electoral
processes globally.
Leadership

• Leadership in political
science refers to the
individuals, roles, and
styles of authority that
guide states, institutions,
and political
movements.
Leadership

• This spans executive power

(presidents, prime
ministers), legislative
leaders, revolutionary
figures, and the institutional
checks and balances that
prevent the abuse of power.
Policies

• are the deliberate

systems of laws,
regulatory measures,
courses of action, and
funding priorities
enacted by a
government.
Policies

• This covers domestic

arenas like healthcare,
education, and
economic regulation, as
well as foreign policy and
international relations.
Why do we need
all three
disciplines?
Because humans are
cultural, social, and
political beings.
 Anthropology helps us
understand culture. Sociology
helps us understand society.
Political Science helps us
understand power and
governance.
Together, they help us understand
the world we live in.
 Mabuhay!
THANK YOU!