Society And Culture

• Society


  The links which connect people together as a group. The connections within a society can be as large scale as the media or as small scale as a sporting group. A society is basically a collaboration of these groups, to form a network of people.
• Culture


  The shared ideas, knowledge and beliefs of a society. Values, arts, technology and laws are all examples of the culture of a society, and different cultures may have differing views on these areas.
• Time


  The constant advances through society, and is measured as "past, present and future". The main points of discussion of time in regards to SAC involve the changes that have occurred within a society from the past and perceptions of what the future will be like.
• Persons


  The individuals within a society. Although each person has their own individual values, opinions and connections which differ from those of other people, each person of a society for the most part maintains the beliefs and ideas of their culture.
• Environment


  Both the physical and meta-physical settings in which a person is situated. The Social environment of a society and psychological environment of a culture are examples of the metaphysical environments.
• The fundamental, additional and related concepts listed are to be integrated across the study of The Social and Cultural World.
• Fundamental Course Concepts


  • Society
  • Culture
  • Time
  • Persons
  • Environment
• Persons


  • Every person is a unique individual who develops in a social and environmental setting in which he or she is influenced by, and interacts with, other persons and groups
  • Communication, the sharing of values and beliefs, and cooperation are major interactions
  • The identity achieved by each individual is the result of interactions at the micro, meso and macro levels of society
• Society


  • Society is made up of people, groups, networks, institutions, organisations and systems
  • These aspects of society may include local, national, regional and formal groups and within and between these groups there are patterns of interactions that contribute to unique cultures
• Culture


  • Culture refers to the shared knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that give each society its coherence, identity and distinctive way of life
  • Culture is demonstrated by the beliefs, customs, values, norms, rules, laws, governance, arts, technologies and artefacts that people generate and use as they interpret meaning from their world and solve present and future problems
  • Culture is dynamic and undergoes change and therefore is not static
• Environment


  • Every society is located in a particular physical setting and interacts with its environment
  • The attitudes and values that people have in regard to their environment greatly affect interactions between persons, society, culture and the environment
  • Different locations and their environments - including urban, rural, coastal, inland and isolated - present societies and their cultures with both opportunities and constraints
• Time


  • Every person, society, culture and environment is located in a period of time and is changing with time
  • Time can be examined as past, present and future
  • Our perceptions of time are drawn from past events and these influence our ideas about the present
  • Time is best studied in context - last century, this century and pre/post events - or as a particular decade
  • Time is studied in relation to continuity and change
• Additional Concepts


  • Power
  • Authority
  • Gender
  • Identity
  • Technologies
  • Globalisation
• Power


  The ability or capacity to influence or persuade others to a point of view or action to which they may not always agree. Exercising power is important in initiating or preventing change.
• Authority


  Linked to power and the right to make decisions and to determine, adjudicate or settle issues and disputes in society. Authority is best understood as the legitimate use of power. The use of authority is important in the process of decision making and in initiating change and maintaining continuity.
• Gender


  Refers to the socially constructed differences between females and males. Social life - including family life, roles, work, behaviour and other activities - is organised around the dimensions of this difference. Gender also refers to the cultural ideals, identities and stereotypes of masculinity and femininity and the sexual division of labour in institutions and organisations.
• Identity


  Refers to the sense of self and can be viewed from a personal, social and cultural level. Identity is formed over a period of time and is the result of interactions at the micro, meso and macro levels of society. An identity has dimensions or layers that create a sense of inclusion in a group or culture.
• Technologies


  Refers to all the tools that we use to assist our interactions in society. Technologies can lead to innovation and can initiate micro, meso and macro operation in society. This value placed on technologies at any level of society influences the rate of change to society and culture. Technologies are constantly changing and adapting, and their impact varies over time.
• Globalisation


  The process of integration and sharing of goods, capital, labour, services, knowledge, leisure, sport, ideas and culture between countries. Globalisation is evidenced in the emergence of global patterns of consumption and consumerism; the growth of transnational corporations; global sport; the spread of world tourism; and the growth of global military and economic systems. Globalisation is assisted by technologies and media integration, resulting in an increasing consciousness of the world as a single place.
• Levels of Society


  • Micro
  • Meso
  • Macro
• Micro


  Interactions are personal and occur between individuals and their family, peers and individuals in the community.
• Meso


  Interactions occur between the micro and the macro levels of society. Meso-level structures are groups in the community, village, school, workplace, local interest club, branch, organisation and state.
• Macro


  Interactions are impersonal and relate to large institutions, the media, law, and government and are evident at a national and international level.
• Social and Cultural Literacy

  • Has a sense of personal, social, and cultural identity and understands that culture underpins one's behaviour, beliefs, and values
  • Is interested in, observes and asks questions about the micro, meso and macro levels of society
  • Empathises with and appreciates the diverse beliefs and values of different societies and cultures
  • Researches effectively and ethically, showing critical discernment towards information and the media
  • Communicates effectively with individuals and groups and works cooperatively in a cross-cultural setting
  • Applies skills to achieve social inclusion (access to socially valued resources e.g. education, health, justice etc.) and is aware of the issues of discrimination and prejudice
  • Avoids making judgements of another culture's practices using the value of his or her own culture
  • Has a sense of social responsibility and displays active citizenship by engaging critically with social issues, and takes considered action (thinking) for the welfare, dignity, social justice, and human rights of others at the local, national, and global levels, (micro, meso, macro)
  • Is aware (knowing what is going on in the world) of, sensitive to, major national and global issues such as poverty, disease, and conflict, including armed conflict
  • Considers the impact of globalisation, technologies, and rapid change, as well as continuity and its implications for the future
• Depth Study Concepts


  • Community
  • Continuity
  • Change
  • Social Construct
  • Social Structure
  • Socialisation
  • Citizenship
• Community


  As well as being local, a community can be a group that shares a strong common interest. The sharing of a common group in the spaces, resources, and values of that group.
• Continuity


  The persistence or consistent existence of cultural elements in a society across time. Continuity can also be referred to as the maintenance of the traditions and social structures that bring stability to a society.
• Change


  The alteration/modification of cultural elements in a society. Change to society can occur at the micro, meso, and macro world level. It can be brought about by modernisation processes including technological innovation.
• Social Construct


  Socially constructed aspect of life – society is creatively produced by human beings
• Social Structure


  Patterns of social behaviour and ordered interrelations between elements of society.
• Socialisation


  Individuals becoming members of society, incorporating the roles, norms, and values of that society.
• Citizenship


  The rights of duties of a person
• The following points are to be integrated across the study of the Social and Cultural World
• Sharing


  Common group in the spaces, resources, and values of that group
• Continuity


  Persistence or consistent existence of cultural elements in a society across time
• Continuity


  Maintenance of the traditions and social structures that bring stability to a society
• Change


  Alteration/modification of cultural elements in a society
• Change


  • Can occur at the micro, meso, and macro world level
  • Can be brought about by modernisation processes including technological innovation
• Social Structure


  Patterns of social behaviour and ordered interrelations between elements of society
• Socialisation


  Individuals becoming members of society, incorporating the roles, norms, and values of that society