W4: ASPECTS OF CULTURE

• What makes up a culture:

  Tangible: Material

  Intangible: Non-material
• Anthropology - The study of what makes us human (the origin and

  evolution of society and cultural structures)
• Sociology - the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior
• Culture - the 'use' or 'function' of the beliefs, practices, customs and institutions which together made the 'whole' of a culture. (Bronislaw Malinowski).
• Culture is an organized body of conventional understandings manifest in art in which persisting through tradition, characterizes a human group (Robert Redfield).
• • Functionalist Perspective Economic institutions are vital because they are involved in the production, distribution and purchasing of goods and services that are essential for survival.
• • Conflict Perspective economy reflects and reproduces economic inequality, particularly in a capitalist marketplace.
• Politics 

  • Allied with government which is considered as the ultimate authority.
  • Primary role of the government is to rule society by stipulating and transmitting the basic laws that will supervise the freedom of its people.
• POWER - It is the ability to influence others

  ORDER - it is attained through obedience on the rules set by leaders

  JUSTICE - It is felt in a society with order
• Philosophy in Politics

  Idealism - approach that envisages ideals and tries realizing them.
• Philosophy in Politics

  Realism - approach based on facts and reality.
• Philosophy in Politics

  Extremism - approach beyond what is ordinary.
• Philosophy in Politics

  Rationalism - approach based on the exposition of principles.
• Enculturation - the gradual acquisition of the characteristics and norms of a culture or group by a person, another culture, etc.
• Characteristics of Culture

  • Culture is social because it is the product of behavior

  • Culture varies from society to society

  • Culture is shared and learned

  • Culture is transmitted among members of society

  • Culture is continuous and cumulative (/increasing)

  • Culture is gratifying and idealistic

  • Culture defines situations

  • Culture defines attitudes, values, and goals

  • Culture defines myths, legends, and the supernatural

  • Culture provides behavior patterns
• Functions of Culture

  • Culture defines situations

  • Culture defines attitudes, values, and goals

  • Culture defines myths, legends, and the supernatural

  • Culture provides behavior patterns